12 December 2007
Youth Enterprise Hub opens in Braybrook
After months of anticipation, Melbourne Citymission today joined with the State Government to open the doors to the agency’s Youth Enterprise Hub (YEH) in Churchill Avenue, Braybrook.
Chief Executive Officer Anne Turley said the centre – which will provide employment, education and training support for young people in Braybrook and Maidstone – “broke the mould” of traditional youth services.
“This is a unique facility – we haven’t just taken a pre-existing model and made it ‘fit’ Braybrook and Maidstone,” Ms Turley said.
“Everything about the YEH has been shaped directly by the aspirations of young people in Braybrook and Maidstone – not imposed by older people second-guessing what’s best for them.”
In recent months, Melbourne Citymission has had a team of youth researchers – young women from the local area – interviewing their peers on life transitions, including barriers to work and study. Their research findings have directly influenced the types of programs and services that will initially be offered at the YEH.
In coming months, Melbourne Citymission will establish a youth reference group that will provide ongoing advice. The agency will call for expressions of interest in February 2008 and aims to convene the first meeting in March.
Ms Turley described Braybrook and Maidstone as “a special part of Melbourne”.
“It’s a place that’s bursting with young people who show us time and again how creative and capable they are, given half a chance. Melbourne Citymission is determined to harness that resourcefulness, imagination and energy and deliver real results for young people in Braybrook and Maidstone.
“In partnership with the State Government, local council and other community agencies, we’re determined to improve – in a demonstrable and sustainable way – the life chances of young people, using education, employment and training as a platform for change.”
Ms Turley thanked the State Government for its support of the project, which included grants of $50,000 each from the Department of Planning and Community Development and the Office of Housing. The Minister for Community Development, Peter Batchelor, officiated at the opening of the YEH.
“We also had tremendous support from Multiplex, which helped with the refurbishment of the shopfront now occupied by the YEH. Other supporters have included Grocon, the Melbourne Community Foundation, the Stromovka Foundation, the George Castan Family Charitable Trust and the Jack Brockhoff Foundation,” Ms Turley said.
Contact Information
Sharon Fisher - 0409 405 933
Manager Service Development and Policy – Employment, Education and Training, Melbourne Citymission
Deborah Fewster - 0403 839 427
Media and Advocacy Adviser, Melbourne Citymission
