News

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.

ABC TV's Inside Business profiles Lighthouse

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 09:40:47 +1000

It's a tough time to be in business and it's even more difficult if you're running one of Australia's 700,000 not for profit organisations all competing for the same fund raising dollar.

The Lighthouse Foundation is one of many charities approaching crisis point with its budget collapsing due to declining donations at a time when demand for services has never been greater.

Lighthouse Foundation CEO Kane Bowden provides details in an interview on ABC Inside Business 16th March 2009.

If you'd like to watch the ABC Inside Business profile please CLICK HERE

LIGHT Program: Lighthouse Internship and Graduate Holistic Training Program

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 09:43:21 +1000

Are you interested in a career in the youth work field?

Lighthouse Foundation is offering exciting pathways into working with young people through the LIGHT Program.

A fantastic opportunity now exists for those studying in the field of Youth/Psychology/Social Work or those soon to graduate.

We are offering a program that can get you the skills, support and experience required to work in the field.

Refer to links below for more information and application form.

Susan Barton speaks on "Building a Successful Social Entrepreneurial Organization"

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 16:46:04 +1000

Susan Barton is the founder of Lighthouse Foundation, one of Australia's finest examples of social entrepreneurship. Their mission is: "Protecting children is everyone's business". Her story is moving and inspirational – and her business savvy has allowed her to create a sustainable non-profit venture. Susan has used for the past 23 years the principles taught in the Money & You and Business School in building her organization. In this episode she will share how to build a non-profit foundation (or any business) using proven business tools and personal growth principles while making a contribution.

Go to http://www.moneyandyouradio.com/archive.html and page down to the December 9, 2008 show where can play the video.

"Kids Under Threat" Channel 9 News Broadcast

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 15:39:12 +1000

On Monday 6th April Channel 9 News had AFL footballers Glenn Manton and Joel Bowden encouraging people to donate some of their government stimulus money to cash-strapped youth charities including Ardoch, White Lion and Lighthouse Foundation. Go to ourcommunity.com.au/kidsunderthreat to see how you can help.

Watch the newcast by clicking on the item below.

Kane Bowden interviewed by Father Gerard Dowling

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 14:47:07 +1000

On Good Friday 2009 Kane Bowden was interviewed by Father Gerard Dowling on Sport 927. The fascinating interview, which covers many aspects of how all the youth oriented community groups were working together to provide much needed support in hard economic times, can be heard in here in two parts.

Letter to the Editor - Lighthouse response to recent comments made by Gerry Harvey

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 11:52:41 +1000

National Homeless Persons Week, 4-10 August 2008: response from Lighthouse Foundation

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:52:27 +1000

Homelessness on the national agenda – what does this mean?

We have all witnessed a change in thinking on homelessness in this country.

It commenced with our newly elected Prime Minister declaring a plan to tackle homelessness a national priority. He and his MPs visited homeless shelters to understand this priority better.

This was followed up with a Green Paper and a soon to be released White Paper which will set out a national plan of action to 2020.

In April during National Youth Week significant research findings of the National Youth Commission Inquiry into Youth Homelessness were launched. The findings of that independent inquiry were significant and prompted intense debate on the issue.

We all caught a glimpse of homelessness via the ABC’s outstanding documentary The Oasis filmed in and around one extraordinary homeless shelter in Sydney. It was raw, confronting and disturbing.

Recently in Victoria, proposed legislative changes include a recommendation that homelessness be included as an attribute in the proposed new Equality Act. This would make it illegal to discriminate against a person based on homelessness.

Last week the latest Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP) data was released. It estimated that about 190,000 people who are homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless, received some form of assistance from SAAP during 2006-07. This startling increase was viewed by many as a national tragedy and triggered renewed calls for urgent investment in homelessness services.

And this week is National Homeless Person’s Week. Launched in Sydney on Sunday the week presents a calendar of wonderful events around our country involving peak organisations. Events include the launch of innovative new centres and programs, screening DVDs of raw stories, a book launch, photo exhibition, a sausage sizzle and much more.

There is plenty going on. It is all great work. It is about creating a framework for ending homelessness in this country.

But what should we all make of it? It is not the peak homelessness organisations attending the events of this week that need convincing or help with understanding the issue. Does the increased national focus, described above, alleviate or agitate community concern?

I know some of you view a documentary like The Oasis and feel guilt. Or you feel exasperated by how difficult, frustrating and unrelenting the issue is. Dramatic statistics like “on any given night around 100,000 Australians are homeless” is a seemingly intractable problem, one which you as individuals cannot end.

Environmental sustainability and the issue of climate change create similar feelings of guilt - the pressure and expectation to reduce your carbon pollution emissions, to conserve water, to recycle. You are all faced with your own personal challenges – increased interest rates, fuel and food prices, pressures at work, within your families and friendship groups and the maintenance of personal health and happiness.

For me National Homeless Person’s Week is about the people. It’s not about policy papers, new definitions, reports or a forum to shock you. In our work with homeless young people we take small individual steps – provide a roof, stabilise physical and mental well being, build trust, respect, interdependence, empathy. If we focus on the statistics they will eat us up.

The Government’s social inclusion agenda wants to change the debate about disadvantage from one about ‘welfare’ to one about ‘human capacity building’.

A young person in our care has always wanted a garden in her backyard. To grow her own plants and veggies. To look after them and to love them. So she has now planted her plants.

Is this ‘human capacity building’? I am not sure. But I know it will help give her a chance.

Kane Bowden is the CEO of the Lighthouse Foundation. Anna Maloney is a writer for the Lighthouse Foundation.

Kane Bowden discusses homelessness with Jon Faine and Paul Moulds

Thu, 15 May 2008 14:12:36 +1000

Lighthouse CEO Kane Bowden recently joined Paul Moulds and Jon Faine on The Conversation Hour, Radio 774, to discuss the issue of youth homelessness. For a podcast of the segment, please copy and paste the following address into your internet browser: http://www.abc.net.au/local/audio/2008/04/10/2218689.htm?site=melbourne

Father figure, counsellor, saviour, and an orphan himself, Paul Moulds is nothing short of a legend amongst street kids who stumble into Sydney's Oasis Youth Refuge at breaking point. No story is too horrific, no circumstance too dire, no kid too damaged. During his chaotic 25 years of service Paul has helped hundreds of young people.

The Oasis documentary was shot over two years, and is a confronting look at a group of kids who are incredibly damaged, often forgotten by society, whose world has collapsed around them. For 25 years, Paul has been father figure, counsellor and saviour to these kids, as they stumble into the Oasis youth refuge, often at breaking point. He is determined to help them realise their dreams of a better life, and often, he succeeds in doing so.

Kane is the CEO of the Lighthouse Foundation. He comes from a pretty extraordinary family. The Bowdens are: Judy, an amazing Mum and recently retired educator, and Dad Mike who is active in Indigenous Affairs in the NT and is a former Grand Finalist with the Richmond Football Club in the 70's.

His brother Sean is also heavily involved in Aboriginal issues in the Top End (lawyer); brother Charlie lives and works in Mildura as a mechanic; brother Rhett is on Christmas Island teaching; brother Joel is a current Richmond player and All Australian AFL star; brother Patrick an up and coming Richmond star; and sister Majella is completing her teaching studies and working in Alice Springs in Aboriginal Education.

Coming from a family that is committed to social justice, has confirmed Kane's belief that homelessness can be eradicated in a country like ours.

Honda MPE donates $850,000 to Lighthouse Foundation

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 09:40:20 +1000

Youth homelessness in Australia remains a matter of significant and urgent concern.

It is recognised that almost half of all homeless people are under the age of 24 years, and in Melbourne, the disturbing trend has hit record numbers.

With the release this week of the National Youth Commission’s Inquiry into Youth Homelessness, there is finally recognition that this is an issue which can no longer be ignored.

To assist in combating the number of teens on the streets, Honda Australia Motorcycle and Power Equipment Pty Ltd (MPE) and the Lighthouse Foundation have entered into a partnership to offer much needed respite for youths in the northern suburbs of Melbourne.

Lighthouse provides a family home to young people who would otherwise be homeless, and through their long-term, Live-in Care Program offers a nurturing family environment for up to six young people at a time in each of its homes.

The Lighthouse program is unique and highly successful, however it could not continue to operate without ongoing financial support such as that provided by Honda MPE.

Honda has not only supported the Foundation through the donation of $267,000 over the last three years for building renovations and funding support for more carers in Lighthouse facilities, but is also now financially supporting the establishment of a "Honda Home”.

Honda will provide $850,000 in total including establishment and capacity support of an initial $350,000 followed by $250,000 per year for two years.

According to Honda MPE Managing Director Stuart Strickland, this is the biggest social contribution MPE has ever made to any one organisation.

“The work the Lighthouse Foundation is doing for homeless, disadvantaged kids is unparalleled and we are very pleased to support them,” Mr Strickland said.

“Lighthouse provides a family home, care and a loving environment to some of the most vulnerable youth in our community.”

“They support and guide these young people to find meaning in their lives and become valuable members of the community”.

Mr Strickland said Honda’s philosophy is “the power of dreams”, and projects such as the new Lighthouse home is an excellent way for young people in Victoria to realise their own dreams of a better future.

Based on a model created by Susan Barton AM, who prior to the establishment of the Lighthouse Foundation, had cared for young people in her own home for 16 years, the Foundation’s housing and outreach program responds to the urgent and complex needs of young people who are at risk.

The Lighthouse Program is designed to support young people within all aspects of their lives. This can include providing assistance with issues related to health, education, self-identity, relationships, social skills, emotional development and self-care.

Since its establishment in 1991, the Foundation has provided much needed practical assistance to more than 300 young, disadvantaged people.

The "Honda House" will be established before the end of this year and will be located within the northern suburbs of Melbourne.

Lighthouse CEO Kane Bowden said “At Lighthouse, our aim has always been to make homelessness a thing of the past. Our vision is that every young person in Australia has a home.”

“Honda MPE is setting a new benchmark in corporate-community partnerships with the establishment of the Honda Lighthouse this year, and we are thrilled to be working with them to create real, sustainable change in the lives of our young people”.

10 April 2008