No two people are dealt the same cards when it comes to their start in life. Yet, despite the challenges, we must make our way through as best as we can.
Founded in 1877 by women dedicated to supporting abandoned mothers and babies, Berry Street has made “believing in children, young people, families, and their future” its core practice.
The Shepparton Education First Youth Foyer, a collaboration between Berry Street, GOTAFE and Beyond Housing Network, embodies this mission.
Opened in 2016, the foyer provides furnished studio accommodation for up to 40 young people aged 16 to 24 who cannot live at home. It supports them in completing their studies and transitioning safely into adulthood.
Jake is in Year 12 and had to move to the foyer after his dad became ill.
“It’s been so good to just have a bed and a roof over your head,” he said.
“I appreciate the sense of community there is.”
The foyer recently hosted a networking breakfast, inviting local businesses and potential mentors to meet the students.
The recent breakfast was the fourth one held since the creation of the foyer and the first one held since COVID-19. It provided a great opportunity to reintroduce the program to the community.
“It’s important to hold such events because they allow the community to see what is going on at the foyer, while our students can connect with local employers without adding pressure,” Education First Youth Foyer and Better Futures senior manager Anita McCurdy said.
“Students feel more comfortable — they are in a safe environment.
“Every breakfast has been successful as it allowed connections to form.
“There have been occurrences where businesses could offer our students opportunities, which is amazing!
“But these events are also a great opportunity to remove any barriers or stigmas about the program.
“A lot of young people are doing great things, such as gaining casual employment, but there will always be a need to continue to develop and grow our networks.
“We aren’t just looking for employment opportunities for our students. Connecting them to mentors is something we’d love to achieve, too.
“When young people come to the foyer, they lose their family network and the activities they used to do, whether sport- or religion-related.
“Rebuilding yourself at 16 while learning to cook, clean, do your laundry, take yourself to school while having to get a casual job can represent a considerable challenge.
“As adults, we struggle to keep up with these obligations, so being asked to do so at a young age is hard.
“If people would like to make a difference in a young person's life as a mentor, we would love to hear from them.”
Berry Street youth investment co-ordinator Clark Patching highlighted the benefits to the broader community
“When local people and businesses get involved with the Education First Youth Foyer, it is an investment in the future of Shepparton and the Goulburn Valley,” he said.
“We welcome support from all kinds of businesses, if you’d like to offer employment support, industry information or one-on-one mentoring.”
For information on how to support the program, email the Education First Youth Foyer team at foyershepp@berrystreet.org.au