Then

Studied VCE

Now

Clinical Trials Coordinator

2014 – Kayla

I was one of the first students to move into the foyer. I was 16 years old.

Before I moved in, I went through short-term but frequent periods of either sleeping rough, staying in crisis accommodation or boarding houses, caravan parks and hotels.

Once I was at the foyer, I had safe, secure and affordable housing. This meant I could focus more on my schooling; I didn’t have to worry about affording textbooks and resources. I was also offered tutoring.

Foyer also helped me to establish the life skills required to live an independent and healthy lifestyle. I learnt how to cook nutritious meals, I engaged in fitness classes, learnt strategies to overcome negative selfimage, increased my job readiness, and built important networks and connections – these are skills I still carry today.

It was an environment that allowed me to freely be myself – but more than that, I was rewarded and praised for my characteristics and talents that were uniquely mine, which ultimately helped me to thrive and grow as a person.

2014 – Chrissy

When I moved in, I felt a sense of relief, I only had to walk a few steps to school. That was massive.
Whenever I wanted I could just come down and talk to people, there was always someone there when I was bouncing off the walls, even a night worker. We’d have a good laugh.

I felt safe.

At the foyer I ran contemporary Aboriginal art workshops for my peers and painted artworks representing journeys and how we all have our own struggles in life. I put myself out there, I got
involved in things that were out of my comfort zone, like working on projects such as designing shoes alongside Homie, Toms and the Bank of Melbourne which lead to my images and artworks being printed on trams. It was pretty amazing to see my artwork on a tram, as I didn’t think this was something I would accomplish.

Then

Completed a Diploma of Community Services and studied Aboriginal Art at Kangan TAFE’s Indigenous Education Centre

Now

Working towards being an Art Therapist. Working at VACCA in Aboriginal Family preservation and reunification.

Then

Studied logistics and traffic management at Kangan.

Now

Outreach worker.

2014 – Travis

I remember feeling grateful on my first night. The day before I was homeless, but once I was there I was safe. I had my own space.

I formed a great relationship with the staff and the Foyer manager, Bec, and we have stayed in touch. Today, I am most proud of my family, being a dad, and working hard to provide a great life for myself and my family.

I work in the public intoxication response team as an outreach worker at NGWALA. I get to help people every day and it is the best job I’ve ever had. The foyer helped me realise that I can be anything I want, without it I don’t think I would have gotten as far as I have in life.

2015 – Bianca

A meaningful connection I made was with a staff member, my Youth Development Worker, Bianca. She showed me what self-care is and how important it is. I’m very grateful for all the lessons I learnt from her.

There’s so much I learnt at the foyer… It shaped me into the person I am today. One thing that stands out to me is learning about self worth and self-love.

Then

Studied VCE

Now

Studying Community Services at TAFE and working in retail.

Then

Studied Criminal Justice at Kanga

Now

Entrepreneur and running for local council.

2015 – Phil

I was living in a sheltered religious environment, and I had to leave when I reacted against it. I needed a safe, structured, and free place to integrate into normal society, work on myself, and grow as an individual.

The foyer provided me with the necessary support and space to do so as well as a number of lifelong friends. After I left, I moved to a share-house and studied at La Trobe University. I’ve just bought my first home, and warehouse for my business – which I started when I was living in the foyer.

My business hires people living in regional areas who are unemployed, and typically have a disability. We buy books from charities who would otherwise have to pay to dispose of them.

2016 – Rory

I used the space there to work on my passion for electronics and cars. I even built my own motorcycle in one of the storerooms. I met people from different backgrounds, who had different life experiences.

I was a youth worker at Banksia Gardens, it was my first proper decent job thanks to foyer relationship worker, Ann. I experienced things I wouldn’t be exposed to normally, such as rock climbing and being invited to a worker’s art gallery opening.

My strongest memory from living at the foyer was that workers actually cared and give a damn about me.

I remember that first night there I felt relief, I had a roof over my head and a chance to make something of myself.

Then

Studied Community Services and Electrical

Now

Car parts interpreter

2017 – Blaise

I got to meet other young people who are experiencing the same challenges are me – the foyer was very welcoming and culturally diverse.

I moved in during a communal cook-up which was awesome – when I smell hash browns I still think of the foyer because that was my first meal there.

My time at the foyer led to a connection and now friendship with foyer staff, who attended my wedding and were present during key milestones in my life doing placement and getting a job at the Foyer itself.

Without the foyer, I’d still be experiencing disadvantage, housing instability and other challenges.

Then

Studied Diploma of Mental Health

Now

Youth Development Worker

Then

Completed VCAL and Horticulture VET & Cert 3 Arborist

Now

Firefighter

2018 – Paul

I remember when I first moved in, my Youth Development Worker Kieran, helped me. I was so excited, and once I’d settled into my room we had a Sunday cook up.

Now I’m living with my partner, and we are about to have a baby. If I hadn’t lived at the foyer, I’d be in a different situation. I probably wouldn’t be as ahead as I am now.

2018 – Ralph

I remember when I moved in feeling excited to be in a safe house, away from the difficulty of my previous housing. I went to an AFL match first week and developed a great relationship with my youth development worker.

Having a mentor for regular catch-ups was so helpful. If I hadn’t lived there, I wouldn’t have finished my Bachelor of Human services and Master of Public Health at University and had the opportunities to get into the work I’m doing now.

Then

Studied Diploma of Community Services

Now

Completing Bachelor of Criminology, Human Rights
Division Case Officer

Then

Completed year 12

Now

Working in retail and hospitality.

2019 – Liv

I was in year 12 of high school I moved in the week of Christmas. It was very welcoming, we all had Christmas dinner together on Christmas day we had a massive dinner party with lots of Italian and Ethiopian food.

These days I’m working two jobs, I have my own car and I’m financially independent in stable housing.

I have no idea where I’d be if I hadn’t lived in the foyer. Probably not in a good place.

2020 – Jayden

I still remember my first night, getting to know the other students, learning about their backgrounds, over a game of pool. I was part of a men’s group while I was there where male identifying students and staff would go out and take part in different activities such as dinner or go karting. I got an apprenticeship. I finished my studies. I also learned how to live independently, how to maintain bills, cook and care for myself.

Today I’m proud that I have a job and I’m holding down my own private rental house. I even started a business with my partner, we make birthday signs.

Where would I be today if I hadn’t lived at the foyer? Probably in the same disadvantaged situation I was in before I moved in.

Then

Studied year 12

Now

Carpenter

Then

Bachelor of Health Science

Now

Studying Medicine at the University of Melbourne.

2021 – Ryan

My first days in the foyer, I met someone I still talk to today. He showed me his fish tank. It was so crystal clear and bright and the fish looked really happy. Later, I found a fish tank abandoned in the park and carried it almost 3-miles to the foyer, where my new friend helped me set it up.

I met my partner at the foyer. We were adversaries during the accreditation period. I wanted to praise the foyer to help them get accredited, but she was hopeful that she could help facilitate change through critique.

Over time, we learned to use our opposing natures in a complementary balance, and now have a beautiful daughter together.

We had a little gym group at the foyer. Everybody was vaguely aware of each other’s goals, and so we got to encourage each other and feel inspired, like getting up at 5am to train, or picking up something impossibly heavy. There was a nice mix of boys and girls from different social groups, and that made the whole foyer feel connected. No one was a stranger.

If I hadn’t lived there, I don’t know if I’d have had anywhere to go. I’d have put my degree on pause and maybe never gone back… I wouldn’t have found the cafe job that gave me the flexibility and stability to support myself through university after leaving the foyer. I’d have gone back to spending hours of my day queueing at community meal services… I would have struggled to find a broader community and a position from which to positively impact the world.

I met so people and all of them are incredible, from a vast array of personal backgrounds. They all have so much resilience and express such unique views. You never know who you’re going to meet next. There are just so many people at the Foyer who immediately strike you as special. I can’t wait to see what they achieve.

2022 – George

The first Halloween I spent at foyer in 2022. I was new and scared but was encouraged to dress up and do a trivia night. I dressed up as the guy from American Psycho. I made stronger connections with friends and felt less self-conscious about living there after that night.

To this day, I’m reminded of the foyer when I eat Afghani food – my friends there used to cook it a lot and it became a favourite.
I am proud of everything I did at foyer. But mostly, I’m proud of developing the relationships I did with workers. It allowed me to realise that trust can be formed with adults and you can get support and know that people do care about you.

Then

Completed Year 12

Now

Studying Bachelor of Visual Arts

Now

Foyer student

2023 – Mohamed

When i moved into Foyer, it was strange, I’d been living at home all my life, I had my own space for the first time. It was really calming, the room was a great space for me. I didn’t know anyone, so I spent the first few months being quite introverted in my room.

I began to make friends here, spending time in the common areas, playing basketball.

Since I moved into foyer, I’ve learned to become more independent, and I make smarter choices. I’m so proud that I finished high school during some really challenging times. I’m currently studying Individual support at TAFE and plan on going into nursing. I aspire to become a nurse and work in Children’s mental health. I currently work in fast food.

2024 – Salim

My family live rurally, I was couch surfing at friends’ places and really struggling with Uni.

The best thing about living here is the company of all the different people, I love getting different perspectives and learning from others.

I bring good vibes, good energy and I bring people together, I’m part of the student leadership group here. I think people
connecting with others allows them to get out of their shell and reach their potential.

I’ve learnt that it’s easy to reach out and ask for help, before moving in I was a bit shy to do this. Here, there are people who care and will support me. Foyer has been a great stepping stone for me from where I am now and to where I want to go.

Im studying a Bachelor of Education, I want to be a teacher to help others and connect with others, I volunteer teaching children Arabic and I’m part of my University’s Islamic Society.

Now

Foyer student