A decade of changing lives: Celebrating 10 years of the Education First Youth Foyer in Shepparton
Education
This year, the Education First Youth Foyer in Shepparton celebrates 10 years of helping young people experiencing or at risk of homelessness build brighter futures through safe housing, education and lasting connections.
This incredible milestone was a great opportunity to reflect on the hundreds of young people whose lives have been changed through the program and the community that has helped make it possible.
"It's amazing to spend this time with young people that have been through the program, and our past colleagues as well,” said Anita McCurdy, Senior Manager of Open Dialogue and Youth Foyer.
“[It’s a] trip down memory lane, and to see where the amazing young people we have supported are now,” Anita said.
About the Youth Foyer
For the past decade, the Education First Youth Foyer in Shepparton has been helping young people build brighter futures by providing more than just a roof over their heads. It has offered a safe place to live, support to complete education, and the connections needed to thrive long after leaving the program.
Delivered by Berry Street and BeyondHousing in partnership with GOTAFE, the Education First Youth Foyer provides accommodation for up to 40 young people aged 16–24 in self-contained units.
Since opening in 2016, more than 370 young people have called the Foyer home, gaining the stability, confidence and opportunities to pursue their education, develop life skills and work towards greater independence.
The Education First Youth Foyer model is built on a simple but powerful belief – that safe and stable housing, combined with education and strong relationships, can transform lives.
Young people live in a supportive community while working towards their education and employment goals, with access to tailored coaching, practical life skills and opportunities to build lasting social connections.
"It can fully change their trajectory to have a safe place and 24/7 support,"
"We focus on all the areas that are proven to enhance outcomes around successfully becoming independent, along with building social capital and connections along the way."
"This Foyer is not just a bed, but has a team of coaches that helps develop their goals with them that creates the supportive environment needed for young people to thrive. Doing the work 'with them', not 'to them' allows them to have space to grow and learn more about what they are fully capable of,"
Building social capital through relationships and community
Connection has always been at the heart of the Foyer. Alongside education and employment support, the program helps young people build social capital by developing relationships, participating in their local community and creating networks that continue to support them long after they leave the program.
Over the past decade, the Foyer has also built strong partnerships across the Shepparton community, with businesses, industry and volunteers playing an important role in supporting young people while creating opportunities for them to give back.
"It really is the community's program, that’s involved hundreds of people in business, industry and volunteer spheres giving to the program, whilst our young people are involved in giving back to community in so many different ways," Anita said.
Those connections and partnerships were evident at the recent 10-year celebration, with more than 100 people attending in the celebration at the Foyer in Shepparton.
Among the attendees were many of the past students, who joined in the formalities of the celebration to share the positive impact that the Foyer has had on the hundreds of young people it has supported and the lives they have gone on to build.
"We have seen young people go onto management jobs, finish degrees at uni, and purchase their own home," Anita said.
"I think there is a real sense of belonging also within the Foyer, which helps them feel comfortable to come back to the 'Foyer family' to let us know what they are up to."
Looking to the future, Anita hopes the next decade will see even more young people using their lived experience to influence change.
"I hope that there are more local alumni students, like the Foyer Foundation Ambassadors, that are upskilled in advocating politically nationally and in the media for various types of accommodation for young people who are at risk of homelessness. It is the youth stories that people in power want and need to hear."
As the Education First Youth Foyer celebrates this milestone, Berry Street thanks BeyondHousing, GOTAFE, staff, volunteers, community partners and supporters who have helped make the past decade possible.
Most importantly, we thank the hundreds of young people whose resilience, determination and achievements continue to inspire the work of the Foyer every day.
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