From being young and experiencing homelessness…

At 16 years old, Max became homeless. He had to escape the family home after experiencing family violence and began couch surfing with friends. He spent a lot of time at Viv’s Place, where he had made some connections whilst previously living there.

When the Education Pathways Program (EPP) team heard Max’s story they reached out to colleagues at Launch Housing’s Youth Services to request assistance for Max. Launch Housing’s case worker advocated for Max to stay at the Salvation Army Youth refuge and secured him an overnight bed which led to an ongoing youth refuge stay.

Max’s case worker supported him throughout this time, transporting him from Viv’s Place to a youth-friendly refuge in St Kilda, where Max stayed for six weeks whilst staff worked in the background to secure him a place at the Glen Waverley Education First Youth Foyer.

While waiting for a place at Foyers, the EPP team also provided Max with public transport vouchers which helped him get to school and updated the school wellbeing team so they were aware of Max’s situation.

…to learning and thriving at Foyers

Max is now living at our Education First Youth Foyer. Education, training and employment support are core components of the Education First Youth Foyer model. Education and employment support must be included in any response to youth homelessness — it’s key to breaking the cycle of homelessness and empowering young people to pursue their goals.

Max says he has settled into Foyers amazingly and continues to study.

And it’s more than study support that Max gets at Foyers. The team at Foyers also help Max identify and work towards his future goals and developing independent living skills.