Maggie’s story

Lighthouse Foundation is a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting and empowering young people experiencing homelessness in Australia. We provide safe homes, essential services, and comprehensive support programs to help vulnerable youth rebuild their lives.

A tax-deductible donation is a voluntary gift of money or property made to a registered Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) organisation. In Australia, such donations can be claimed as a deduction on your income tax return, reducing your taxable income.

Youth homelessness refers to the condition in which young people lack stable and safe accommodation. This can include sleeping rough, couch-surfing, or staying in temporary shelters. Homelessness among youth can result from various factors, including family breakdown, domestic violence, mental health issues, and financial instability.

Youth homelessness can have profound and lasting effects on individuals’ physical health, mental well-being, education, employment prospects, and overall quality of life.

Without adequate support, homeless youth may face increased risks of substance abuse, exploitation, mental illness, and involvement in criminal activities.

Youth homelessness remains a significant social issue in Australia.

According to the latest Census data, 44,000 young Australians experience homelessness on any given night. Factors such as housing affordability, family conflict, and insufficient support services contribute to this ongoing challenge.

Lighthouse offers a range of services aimed at addressing the complex needs of homeless youth.

These include safe housing, mental health support, education and employment assistance, life skills training, and access to healthcare.

The Lighthouse Model of Care focuses on empowering young people to overcome barriers and achieve independence.

There are several ways to support Lighthouse and our efforts to end youth homelessness.

You can make a donation to fund our programs and services, volunteer your time and skills, advocate for policy changes that address the underlying causes of homelessness, or participate in fundraising events and campaigns.

Every contribution, no matter how small, makes a meaningful difference in the lives of young people in need.