Progress is on the way for the First Response Youth Services Refuge in the City of Whittlesea, which will provide a safe space to stay for people aged between 16 and 25.
Built in partnership with Hope Street Youth and Family Services and the City of Whittlesea, the centre is on its way which will provide much needed specialist youth focused wrap around case management support while young people and children are safely accommodated.
Located at a South Morang site with a 400-year-old ‘majestic’ river-gum tree, the site will have 12 bedrooms, including a family unit and emergency accommodation, as well as mobile outreach and intensive, holistic cage management.
Hope Street Youth and Family Services chief executive Donna Bennett said the team were excited to watch the build come together.
“The progress is steady, and we’re pleased to see that each time we come out on site that it’s further advanced, as you can see the trusses are on, and as the supervisor on site mentioned that will be completed next week,” she said.
“Then we can start seeing the roof go on, but more ready what’s great is we can see the shape of it and see what it’s going to look like.
“We just keep visualising it with young people in there and young families in here, it’s going to be a truly magnificent centre for young people.”
Ms Bennett said the project was hoped to see completion in the last quarter of the year.
“Our architects really have a solid understanding of the concept of what it is that Hope Street does, and how important design is to delivering quality services to young people who have experienced high levels of trauma,” she said.
In the meantime, Ms Bennett said the team were already onto plans for furnish and recruitment of the site.
“Already we’re working internally to recruit, to look at what type of equipment and furniture we need, purchasing those things, basically all that in housework that we need to do to ensure that the centre is ready for opening our doors to young people,” she said.
“We want it to be a real smooth, seamless process, and by putting in the planning and the effort now, we’ll ensure that it is a smooth, seamless process.”
The project was invested under the State Government’s Youth Housing Capital Grants program to build a First Response Youth Service in South Morang.
Member for Mill Park Lily D’Ambrosio, who visited the site on Friday, said it was the type of facility that was vital for many young adults who need the extra care and attention.
“It’s really delightful to be able to see this project halfway through, being able to visualise where young people who need a helping hand are actually going to be living and planning their lives, and the next chapter in their lives,” she said.
The City of Whittlesea also made a visit to the developing site with its youth council in late April this year.
Chair administrator Lydia Wilson said she was moved to see the project progress.
“We are pleased to see this important project in the City of Whittlesea progressing,” she said.
“We know there is a need for local short-term youth accommodation, and we look forward to seeing the completed refuge and its benefits for our community.”
