Youth Homelessness Matters Day (YHMD) is Wednesday April 17.
It’s a national day that aims to raise awareness and public discussion about child and youth homelessness. It’s a day to start conversations about sustainable and innovative solutions to support the needs of young people experiencing homelessness.
Youth homelessness is a significant social issue that affects more than 45,000 young people in Australia every year. It can have devastating consequences, leading to a cycle of poverty, mental health struggles, and limited opportunities for these young people.
By raising awareness and understanding the root causes of youth homelessness, we can work together to create solutions and provide support to those in need.
This Youth Homelessness Matters Day 2024, we need your urgent support to stop young people becoming a statistic. Mental health issues amongst children and young people are on the rise. Family violence has increased, and the higher cost of living and housing crisis is pushing more children, young people and families to the brink of homelessness.
If we don’t do anything to stop this cycle of youth homelessness today, many more children and young people will continue to live in poverty, experiencing trauma and prolonged disadvantage for decades to come.
We need your urgent and ongoing support to help our most vulnerable young people because youth homelessness matters, not just today but every day.
It’s our mission at Lighthouse Foundation to end youth homelessness, but we can only do that with your help. However small or large, your donation or regular giving will make a big difference to vulnerable children and young people’s lives.
Sincerely,
Len Warson
Chairman, Lighthouse Foundation
Dr. Eamonn McCarthy
CEO, Lighthouse Foundation
*45,000 figure from 2021 Census data.
Your ongoing donation makes a difference.
Giving $10Provides a toiletry pack full of essential items including sanitary and dental products
Giving $25Can provide fresh groceries to make nutritious, comforting meals in our homes.
Giving $50Contribute to the cost of group therapy to help our young people process the trauma of homelessness
Lighthouse Foundation is also a deductible gift recipient (DGR). The minimum tax-deductible donation amount to Lighthouse Foundation is $5.
Your personal data will be used to process your donation, support your experience throughout this website, and for other purposes described in our privacy policy.
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.
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.
Lighthouse Foundation acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands across Victoria where our services are located and pay our respects to ancestors and Elders past and present. Lighthouse Foundation is committed to honouring Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ unique cultural and spiritual relationships to the land, waters and seas and their rich contribution to our society.
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