News

"Polly & Me" Film Launch

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 11:51:24 +1000

On 27 July, Lighthouse held a special preview screening of ‘Polly & Me’, a short film that will be screening on the ABC at 9:30pm on 9 September.

Award winning writer and director Ian Darling, Chair of The Caledonia Foundation, based this latest film on hundreds of true stories, weaving them together into the life of one eight year old girl. It is a story that captures the experiences of the many young people who find themselves at Lighthouse. Visit www.pollyandme.com.au to find out more.

Lighthouse holds the vision of ‘ending youth homelessness’. Over nearly 20 years, we have been working with homeless young people to support, heal and empower them. Alongside this practical work, we have adopted a strategic and preventive approach to ending youth homelessness by advocating to protect children and champion the rights of homeless kids.

We now seek your help in raising awareness of these real issues that directly impact the next generation of Australian kids. Perhaps you are able to arrange a screening of this short film in your workplace, church, community centre or other venue? Lighthouse Foundation is happy to provide a copy of the DVD for you and is keen to support you, for example, by providing a speaker who can introduce the film.

Contact Jordi Kraus on 03 9093 7507 or jordik@lighthousefoundation.org.au if you would like to receive a copy of the film or arrange a screening. We must work together as a community if we are to break the cycle of abuse and neglect that leads to homelessness.

Watch the Fenton Stephens Lighthouse Advert

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 10:40:31 +1000

Award wining advertising agency, Fenton Stephens, recently created (probono) a short ad that encaptures what homeless kids need and what Lighthouse can provide - with your financial support.

Kane Bowden's Letter to the Editor (Age 7.8.2010)

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 13:47:00 +1000

Donate a Blanket to Those in Need this Winter

Mon, 05 Jul 2010 10:08:49 +1000

Donate a Blanket to Those in Need this Winter

Creswick Woollen Mills Blanket Drive 2010

Creswick Woollen Mills is calling on the corporate community and

general public to support its annual Blanket Drive. Be part of the

distribution of 5,000 blankets with a retail value of $200,000, to help people in need this winter.

Get involved by providing unused, packaged blankets or for $15 (plus GST) Creswick Woollen Mills will donate a quality blanket on your

behalf.

You can make a difference. Please help us to help them.

The blankets are subsidised and distributed by Creswick Woollen Mills to a number of charities who assist the homeless and disadvantaged including the VicRelief Foodbank, Uniting Care Prahran Mission,

Lighthouse Foundation, Lord Mayor’s Charitable Fund, Country

Women’s Association of Australia, WAYSS Ltd., 3BA Christmas in July Appeal and schools nationwide.

The late Chairman of Creswick Woollen Mills, Paul Ryzowy founded the

company in 1947. This is his legacy to the needy.

To donate a blanket to a person in need this winter and give the gift of warmth:

Visit http://www.creswickwool.com.au

Call 03 9818 5055 or

Email: info@creswickwool.com.au

Alternatively, unused and packaged blankets can be delivered to Creswick Woollen Mills Head Office at 6 Roche Street, Hawthorn,

Victoria 3122 or

Creswick Mill Railway Parade, Creswick VIC 3363

Help Those in Need This Winter, Naturally.

3BA Christmas in July Appeal

‘Thank you once again on behalf of our local welfare agencies and battling families, your generosity is appreciated and appropriate recognition of the assistance

provided by the Creswick Woollen Mills will be given on 3BA FM throughout the course of the appeal’

Peter Caligari, Appeal Director

Uniting Care Prahran Mission

‘I am so happy that Creswick Woollen Mills can continue to support us through this practical gift. We are grateful for all the blankets that you began donating to Prahran Mission since 2005.’

Bay Ang, Fundraising Manager

Lighthouse Foundation

‘The blankets arrived just as the really cold weather did! Our young people are very grateful and they also appreciate the fact that these blankets are theirs to keep. The Foundation is truly grateful as we would normally have to purchase up to 45 new

blankets each year – your donation allows us to

redirect this money into other areas that support young people’

Denise Wallish, Donor Management

For further information please contact:

Monique Shalit

Communications Manager

Creswick Woollen Mills

03 9818 5055

Monique@creswickwool.com.au

Lighthouse Foundation 2010 Seminar Series

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:59:51 +1000

Is a rich learning environment where people can learn from the professionals who have the hands-on experience, hear about effective new and innovative approaches for working with young people, and share experiences.

Professionals wishing to improve their clinical skills and further develop their professional and personal knowledge.

Parents and Foster Parents wanting to understand and learn more about child and adolescent development and behaviour, understand how to relate and work together as a family, and share practical insights into how to build strong relationships with their kids.

Downloads:

Garden blitz boosts Lighthouse for homeless young people

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:20:30 +1000

South East Water, ‘us’ – Utility Services, Splashdown, Kennards/ Coates, Garden World and Priority Plumbing are shown joining together with the Lighthouse Foundation in a ‘community blitz’ to transform the gardens at a Lighthouse home for young people, located in Melbourne’s South-East.

Lighthouse Keepers

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 14:51:55 +1000

By becoming a Lighthouse Keeper you will be helping to create a sustainable solution to youth homelessness. Support Lighthouse Foundation through the direct care of the Lighthouse young people.

CLICK HERE to make a one-off donation or set up a monthly credit card donation.

Lighthouse submission to the 20/20 paper on homelessness

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 09:08:59 +1000

Kane Bowden on National Homeless Personâ��s Week

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 15:19:24 +1000

Ask anyone working in homelessness services what Kevin Rudd’s sudden removal from the Prime Ministership means for the sector and you will get a furrowed look. It is a disappointment and of concern for those of us who are working with some of the 105,000 homeless people that homelessness has not yet been mentioned as we approach the halfway mark of the Federal election campaign.

While you may agree that Kevin Rudd had his faults, he shone a bright light on the ‘obscenity’, as he called it, that is the homelessness crisis in Australia – a crisis that is growing every day. His White Paper, The Road Home, released in December 2008, found a chorus of relief from those that have toiled to support the homeless over past decades. Rudd not only generated greater public interest in the problem, but in the White Paper, mapped out a path to not reduce or respond to homelessness but end it.

At the time, Rudd was still popular and the media promptly followed his lead, giving homelessness more prominence. As a result, the public became more aware of the complex drivers and causes of homelessness. People started to talk at the water cooler and over coffee. The average Australian was stunned by the size of the homeless population. The stereotype of the down-and-out drunk who must have had a lot of things go against him – or even that people ‘choose to be homeless’ - was blown away. These homeless people are just like you and me. Homelessness knows no social barriers; it could happen to any of us.

Of even more concern is that, over half of the homeless population are young people under the age of 25. I know plenty of them. They’re beautiful kids who, through no fault of their own, have been dealt a shocking hand. Kids that rebuild their lives, despite the abuse and trauma they have experienced at the hands of parents and other relatives or family friends. But it takes an intervention and the right support to do that. And that requires thoughtful policy and significant investment.

The policy is there and can be built on and it is crucial that during this week, National Homeless Person’s Week, that the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition outline their intentions regarding what is arguably the social justice issue of our time.

The long-term reform and down payment made by the current government, under Rudd’s leadership, are a solid platform upon which can be built a program that truly can, as is the vision of the White Paper, end homelessness in this country. It is a multi-faceted problem and it spans many areas. It won’t be easy. We might not get there, but we must remain committed to the effort and maintain the momentum that was established by a once popular Prime Minister

Founder Susan Barton named Melburnian of the year!

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 14:52:31 +1000

Founder of the Lighthouse Foundation, Susan Barton AM, was announced as the 2009 Melburnian of the Year at a special dinner hosted by Melbourne City Council, on Saturday 29 August. The Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Robert Doyle, presented the prestigious award and explained that the award was made to recognise Ms Barton's support for Melbourne's young people. With the vision of ending youth homelessness, Lighthouse Foundation works to connect community around every young person. By providing homes for young people who would otherwise be homeless, coupled with 24/7 wrap-around support, Lighthouse is providing much-needed support for at risk young people. Currently, eight homes are open to young people across Victoria, and the organisation is now working to open a ninth Lighthouse Home to cater for the growing need. So far over 500 young people have benefited from Lighthouse programs. Young people usually stay for 6-24 months, following which they are welcome to access ongoing support through the Lighthouse Outreach Program at any time. Congratulations, Susan!