A decade has passed since the triumphant completion of our beautiful transitional home in Melbourne’s South-East. So much has happened in the home. It has lived up to its promise of being a haven where young people experiencing homelessness can heal from their trauma and go on to thrive and reach their potential. So many kids have been cared for in the home, and then gone on to re-establish their education and move into independent living. We estimate that 45 young people have graduated from the home, and never again experienced a night of homelessness.
“It has been a life changing, nurturing and safe space said Susan Barton AM, Lighthouse Founder and Director. The long partnership between Lighthouse and PIF has been a profound and powerful direct intervention in ending youth homelessness in Australia.”
With six of our Lighthouse homes either renovated substantially, or newly built, PIF has led the way in ensuring our society’s most vulnerable children get the care and safety they need. The construction industry chose not to ignore the needs of these children and young people, but to step forward and mobilise the resources of our country’s elite building groups to make a difference. Susan explained that one of the most gratifying aspects of working alongside the Property Industry Foundation (PIF) members and admin team has been that everyone agreed that no corners should be cut, and that we were only interested in creating homes together that we would be happy for our own children to live in. This commitment to quality, and to demonstrating to these young people that they were worthy of having beautiful spaces to call their own, has a deep impact on bolstering the self-esteem of the young people.
From the very start, in 2012, the home was a standout success for the young people themselves, PIF, and Lighthouse. PIF understood that the home needed to have the best carers, and that the home was only part of the solution. That’s why they have also invested in the care program at the home over all these past years, totalling $1.75m of program costs. This stable funding enabled continuity of carer contracts, and it kept the Lighthouse Model of Care functioning with all the supports such as the local volunteer Community Committee and essential clinical counselling support.
This home has always had a stellar high profile. Channel Nine’s – The Block loved the home, and as a challenge, four kid’s bedrooms were decorated in the team colours of red, blue, green and yellow. They looked amazing, and everyone couldn’t wait to hear about the reactions of the new residents. Contestants, Kyle and Kara, stayed involved as Ambassadors.
This home also became the base for the wonderful husband and wife carer couple. They established remarkable close relationships with the young people in their care and supported many young people in their transition to independent living, into education, and reconnecting with family members. Some of these young people are still in touch with Lighthouse through our On for Life program.
It is the resident young people that have created the spirit of the home. We enjoyed watching them take up hobbies in the home, including craft and baking.
There have been hundreds of family meetings, tears and hilarious laughter around that great dining table. If only that table could talk. It has also been the party house for 18th and 21st birthdays. Several joint Lighthouse Christmas parties were also celebrated there with large numbers. The past residents always came back for it. Toddlers and babies were always running around and crawling over everything, and everyone got presents. There were delicious baked creations made by the young people for everyone to enjoy. Many politicians visited the home over the past decade, including the Attorney General Mark Dreyfus. They all were amazed at the high quality of the construction and the furniture fit out, as well as the therapeutic care that is the essence of Lighthouse Foundation’s Model of Care, which was provided proudly by PIF’s support.
It was telling that in that home there was always the neat shoe line up at the door, and that the young ones themselves were the ones who policed visitors taking off their shoes. They were always so proud of their home. This pride and sense of belonging was a healing thing that helped stabilise their feelings of alienation, and helped them feel safe, and connect with each other.
So many young people and carers have loved the home, and thrived in it. The impact is already immeasurable. For everyone in the PIF network, words of gratitude don’t seem nearly enough for the past ten years. We honour PIF’s decision to step forward and work together to maximise their resources and receive the highest quality homes delivered.
We are deeply appreciative and know that the best is yet to come.
