Rhonda Collins, Adam Kennon and Melinda Minerve are working hard to help youth in Hobsons Bay. 72318 Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT
By Vanessa Chircop
LAST year a not-for-profit organisation based in Altona and Niddrie provided support to 175 young people at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
The unique organisation, Latitude, has equally unique staff who are dedicated to helping youth in Hobsons Bay and Moonee Valley.
Out in Altona, Rhonda and her staff Adam and Melinda work hands-on with the youth of Hobsons Bay.
Rhonda said residents of Hobsons Bay would be surprised to learn how prevalent youth homelessness was in the municipality.
Despite the significant role the team plays in the community, Rhonda insists that what they do is no different to any other job.
“We’re just specialists in a specific field,” she said.
“People say this job is special, but we’re paid employees.”
Rhonda said Latitude does more than just help provide transitional housing to youth, they work with them extensively so they don’t come back through the revolving door.
“Homelessness is more than a lack of shelter, it’s a disconnection to not just family support but the community as well.”
Rhonda said Latitude would not be able to keep up the good work that they do without the ongoing support from the council and community groups like the Lions Club.
She said the young people she worked with had “full of potential” and was just in need of support.
She believes more needs to be done to tackle the causes of homelessness – with majority of the youth that come through their door experiencing some sort of domestic violence or sexual abuse.
“The community as a whole need to acknowledge this and put pressure on the government to address these issues.”
Latitude, located on Somers Rd, Altona, will be launching their brochure at a fundraiser hosted by Victorian of the Year Father Bob Maguire on Wednesday 16 November.
For more information about the organisation, the launch or to make a donation call 9315 0061.
