Victorian youth services host events for Homelessness Week
- simoneworthing
- 4 minutes ago
- 2 min read
BY SIMONE WORTHING
To mark Homelessness Week 2025 (4-10 August), Youth Services Victoria teams participated in events across the state.
“Our Northwest team collaborated with streams at our Social Hub in Sunshine to host a clothing giveaway and community barbecue that was supported by Brimbank Council,” said Kass Garofalo, Youth Hub Coordinator.
“The council donated $500 to be gifted to a worthy community group, and Women of Destiny supported the day with a soup kitchen.”
Northeast Youth Services hosted a range of events across the week, including a Care Day, which offered health checks and personal grooming to those at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
“We also hosted Brewing for Change, a fundraising event that raised funds for Northeast Youth Services and Goulburn Valley Fresh Start Foundation (an organisation working with the Salvos to help people facing housing insecurity in the Greater Shepparton area),” said Kass.
Staff from Upton Road Youth Service collaborated with the Victorian Pride Centre as part of the Southern Homelessness Services Network on a week-long art installation of origami houses – with the goal of seeing 30,000 houses built. Attendees were able to make their own house and add it to the installation.
Upton Road also held a Bunnings Sausage Sizzle fundraiser at Port Melbourne.
The Frankston team from Peninsula Youth Services hosted a barbecue to raise awareness and build empathy around the realities of homelessness in Frankston.
“We shared local data, explored its causes, highlighted that homelessness is not just about sleeping rough, and discussed ways people can help,” said Katie O’Connor, Youth Participation Worker.
“Young people from our Youth Advisory Group (YAG) were actively involved in the event, making it a great opportunity to connect with new community members.”
