We recently held a Garden Party in Melbourne’s South-East with supporters, including Lighthouse Patrons, Funders and other local community organisations, to celebrate the first year of this residential property provided as a safe home for our Young Women’s Freedom Program.
The Young Women’s Freedom Program began in 2018 in response to an urgent need to respond to young women escaping forced marriage, modern slavery and other forms of gender-based violence.
Principal Caulfield Grammar School, Ashleigh Martin, spoke at the morning tea about the importance of the independent school’s support for the most vulnerable in the community.
Caulfield Grammar School generously support Lighthouse’s Young Women’s Freedom Program that offers vulnerable young people in need to benefit from living in a stable, safe and productive community where they can heal and thrive.
As well as providing a safe home, Lighthouse Foundation focuses on building a connection to culture and self through tailored therapeutic care, implementing a holistic care team of support in collaboration with innovative external services, as well as supporting the young people to have sustainable connections to family and community. Most importantly, we encourage the young women to use their voice and be heard.
Local MP of Higgins, Dr Michelle Ananda-Rajah, also spoke at the event about the local Government’s vital work to assist young people in need in the community and the workplace with the increasing costs of living and domestic violence directly impacting on people’s mental health and youth homelessness.
Lighthouse’s CEO, Dr Eamonn McCarthy and Team Leader of Transitional Program, Haylee Lawrence, also spoke about the complexity of the culturally sensitive work Lighthouse’s Therapeutic Care team provides that is trauma-informed and guided by the needs of our young people.
‘The profound positive impact of such local community support on our young residents is evident now and will be for many years to come’, said Dr McCarthy.
Thanks to Cannoli and Co for donating the scrumptious pastries and long-term friend of Founder, Susan Barton, Annie Court who made the delicious sandwiches.
You can support vulnerable women in need by donating to Lighthouse Foundation’s Young Women’s Freedom Program lighthousefoundation.org.au/donate/
