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July 2022
Foyer News
Dear Foyer Family,
There are moments in time when the right people, come together with the right conditions, to catalyse serious change. As I step into the CEO role at the Foyer Foundation and learn more about our history, our growing network, and the urgent demand in communities across Australia, I am convinced this is our moment.
Young people are demanding more Foyers. I spent time this week listening to the Foyer Youth Ambassadors championing this cause. They want a future where more young people experiencing crises have the opportunity to take charge of their lives. Our Ambassadors credit their Youth Foyer experience as the key to building their own sense of confidence and belonging. For providing them with the home they needed to buck the trajectory life dealt them, redefine their goals for the future and take positive steps forward.
We have a strong core of 9 accredited Youth Foyers striving to create the best outcomes for young people in their neighbourhoods every day. Another 4 are fully operating and in the accreditation process, with 22 more communities developing Youth Foyers for the future.
Service provider organisations, investors and philanthropists have united under the banner of FoyerInvest to support these communities, collaborating on a nationally cohesive approach towards advocacy, investment and impact measurement.
These foundations have been slowly but surely laid through years of determination: many people working hard locally and joining forces with others across organisations and jurisdictions.
Together we’re shaping up a bold, national ambition that will empower more young people to pursue the learning and work paths they aspire to, enabled by safe and stable home environments.
At this very moment, a change in government has created a different set of policy conditions that open up new possibilities across housing, employment, education and mental health. Albanese’s appointment is a public reminder that young people who grow up in social housing might one day become our next Prime Minister.
Our time is now.
I’m joining a movement that is already well on its way thanks to all of you, and am thrilled to continue leading it into this exciting window for change.
Every single one of us has an equally important role to play. The Foyer Advantage: Beyond Youth Homelessness conference on 31 August-1 September in the Gold Coast is the first chance our network has had to come together face-to-face in three years. It’s a way for us to turn this bold ambition into action, joining forces to accelerate the growth of Youth Foyers across Australia.
Our Youth Ambassadors will be front and centre, sharing their experiences, insights, and impatience for change.
If you’re feeling impatient too, get your tickets here and l look forward to seeing you in Queensland!
Now is the time to convert our impatience into impact.
Beyond Foyer Alumni Project Co-Design Team
We kicked off the month of June with a co-design workshop facilitated by Shayne Hood with Sakshi, June, Brea and Joshua our 4 passionate Youth Consultants.
Co-designing our Beyond Foyer project with Shayne Hood, lived experience co-designer extraordinaire a ‘A long sense of belonging’ is just one of the themes initially emerging from the day.
The ideas are flowing and the discussion to make real change and impact both visible and felt is top of the list.
Stay tuned as this project takes shape. Excited!
#endyouthhomelessness#foyerlife #buildmorefoyers #project
Joshua, June, Brea and Sakshi with Shayne Hood
Early Bird Tickets close July 30th
The Foyer Foundation National conference showcases the knowledge, expertise, aspiration, capability, pragmatism and financial innovation to launch the most impactful program for young people Australia has ever seen.
The two day conference for around 200 delegates features a curated program of keynote speakers, panels with young people, local Foyer visits, and breakouts with expert practitioners.
We will take a deep dive into the evidence-informed Foyer approach and engage our partners and future collaborators in the opportunities at a national, state and local level.
At a time when youth homelessness, mental health challenges and unemployment are at alarming levels all at once, Foyers are ready to support young people to build their skills, capabilities and future pathways.
The Foyer approach is underpinned by stable accommodation and support services that enable young people to achieve their aspirations in learning and employment pathways to build work and life skills in under two years and under one roof.
We are delighted to invite you to join us at this National event and look forward to seeing you in sunny Queensland in 2022.
AFG commits further $600,000 sponsorship to Foyer Foundation
AFG, one of Australia’s largest networks of mortgage brokers, will provide $600,000 to the Foyer Foundation over the next 36 months, building on the $200,000 provided when it became principal partner in 2021.
The extended funding and partnership will focus on three key pillars of support - strategic growth, educational and employment pathways, and the AFG Independence fund.
Thanks to AFG for the generous support to the Foundation and the opportunity to access funding that directly impacts young people's lives.
Meet our Youth Ambassador Team at the Foyer Advantage Conference
We welcome Ash, Scott, Jess, Nexus, Sakshi, Joshua, June, Brea, Tyrah and David to the Foundation conference team, we can't wait to deliver a wonderful conference in partnership with you all.
Over a jam packed two days you will hear from this incredible group of ambassadors with lived experience as they share their stories and support the Foyer mission. They are passionate about enhancing the Foyer approach, program outcomes and social change for other young people experiencing crisis and disadvantage.
These agents for change are strong advocates for topics such as mental health, youth homelessness, education, employment, LGTBQI and inclusion to name a few, they will co-host, sit on panels and present their vision and ideas for the Foyer movement and how we can support more young people across Australia.
“If I hadn’t moved into The Foyer, I’d be in jail. It’s that black and white” said Brennan
Great SMH article highlighting the outcomes the Foyer approach can have for so many young people.
Ty Courtney, Tilli Trindall, Tyrah Chan-Hampton and Aaron Brennan are hoping for a different path.
They are among 48 young people living in Foyer Central in Chippendale, a two-year program that social services organisation Uniting started a year ago to help young people transition from the care system to independent living.
These young people are adamant they would not have had the skills to move out of home without the support of Foyer Central. “If I hadn’t moved into The Foyer, I’d be in jail. It’s that black and white,” said Brennan
National Youth Commission Report 2022
The Foyer Foundation welcomes the- National Youth Commission Australia inquiry “A renewed commitment to address youth homelessness and housing” and supports the mission to develop ideas on how young people could be better prepared and supported in their transition from school to work – now and in the future.
Upcoming
key dates
August 1-7
Homelessness Week
We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and live. We recognise their continuing connection to land, water and community. We pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging.
