By XAVIER SMERDON
A GROUNDBREAKING initiative will soon be launched with the aim of taking Wyndham’s 600 homeless youth off the streets.
The Rotary Club of Werribee has united with Open Family Australia to launch a house in Werribee that will accommodate young homeless people while they work to get back on their feet.
President of the Rotary Club of Werribee, Lyn Fava, told Star she was inspired to do something to tackle the issue of youth homelessness after her group witnessed a speech from a member of Open Family Australia.
“She told us that there are currently around 600 registered homeless youth in Wyndham,” Ms Fava said.
We were very surprised when we found that out and we wanted to do something and make a difference at the ground level.”
Geoff Hamilton from Open Family Australia said that while Rotary will cover the cost of renting the property, estimated to be about $22,000 a year, his group will help the young people escape their situations.
“We will be running a voluntary program that will help re-engage them into education or re-employment,” Mr Hamilton said.
“It’s a common social housing welfare model and it can be replicated anywhere in the world basically.
“I’ve been in this sector for 16 years and I’ve never seen anything like this.”
Tristan Angelini from Hillbrook Projects has supplied the three bedroom house that will be used for the project.
The Rotary Club of Werribee will be holding a charity golf day to raise funds to support the initiative on Friday 1 March.
For more information visit www.rotaryclubofwerribee.org.au
