Frontyard's new services support hundreds of young Victorians in need

A personal thank-you from Vicki Sutton, MCM Chief Executive Officer

“From myself and the team at Melbourne City Mission, we’d like to thank everyone that’s made the opening of Frontyard possible, as we move towards helping thousands of young people that find themselves in rough sleeping conditions each night. Melbourne City Mission is proud to be paving the way for youth support services in Australia, with Frontyard being a pioneering blueprint to help put an end to youth homelessness.”

Frontyard’s journey so far

On May 30, we welcomed 50 guests, dignitaries and supporters to the official opening of Frontyard. Officiated by The Hon. Richard Wynne MP, Lord Mayor Sally Capp and MCM Chief Executive Officer Vicki Sutton, this event celebrated more than 18 months of construction and the introduction of an Australian first model developed to help end youth homelessness.

Since opening, Frontyard has hosted 45 sensory therapy sessions and nine group animal-assisted therapy sessions, as part of its integrated service model. Rob Hosking, Frontyard’s Operations Manager said the new service model has already helped 486 young people on their journey to independent living by providing young people with the support they need to “achieve their goals and end their experience of homelessness”.

Frontyard’s new four storey, 18-bed service and 24-hour crisis accommodation centre continues to welcome young people through its doors. Frontyard was made possible thanks to the tireless support of its pro-bono consultant team which include Ashurst, Case Meallin, Slattery, Fender Katsalidis, Norman Disney Young, Built, Hendry Group, Equitable Access Solutions, Irwinconsult, Wood and Grieve Engineers and Urbis.

Chairman of Property Industry Foundation Victoria, Peter Inge says, “We’re proud that our industry has come together to partner with Melbourne City Mission and successfully design and deliver the redeveloped Frontyard facility, which services the most severely marginalised and disadvantaged youth in our city."

From all Frontyard and Melbourne City Mission staff, we would like to thank:

Minister for Housing The Hon. Richard Wynne MP, Lord Mayor Sally Capp, the Property Industry Foundation, as well as our generous philanthropic supporters The Peter and Lyndy White Foundation, Gandel Philanthropy, Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation, PwC, Joe White Bequest, Dorothy Kingston, The Andrew and Geraldine Buxton Foundation.