How we can support our vulnerable youth during this crazy time?
Last night as my son got home on the tram from University by the 8pm deadline and I shut the door and saw all three of my kids at the bench I felt the depth of good fortune and privilege. Being able to work from home and look after my family through the latest lock down my thoughts turned to the thousands of young ones who don’t have a stable home to lock down in.
More then 27,500 kids aged 16-24 are experiencing homelessness every night- COVID makes little difference to their precarious lives. In the place of parents and carers like me, stands the passionate workforce of the little-known powerhouse of hope and care, the Foyer Foundation, supporting a network of Foyers across Australia housing over 500 young people at risk of homelessness each year. There are 10 Foyers in lock down at this moment, giving young people mental health and educational support and life guidance during this incredibly difficult time. They are providing the “home to lock down in” when they have no-where else to go.
Foyers provide a life changing opportunity for young people to have stable housing achieve higher educational outcomes, access to meaningful career pathways and a chance to build brighter futures. I’ve seen them in action and met the impressive young people who live in Foyers across Australia. They are resilient, inspiring, funny, caring and driven to make the world a better place, and change the outcomes of other young people who are experiencing challenges with family, housing, employment and education.
I just wanted to call out to all our young people, staff and supporters, you matter to us as a community, thank you for your fortitude and the contribution you are already making to the rest of us…everyone should know about Foyers and about what to do to support and encourage them in their important and life changing work.
Stay safe, look around you and please remember those who are less fortunate during Homelessness Week.
Love Chloe Shorten xoxo
