CEO Julie Edwards with Next Steps’ Alice Minns (left) and Sally Gray (centre) at the Victorian Homelessness Achievement Awards
Jesuit Social Services’ Next Steps program has been recognised at this week’s 2017 Victorian Homelessness Achievement Awards, winning the Excellence in ending homelessness among young people category.
Next Steps works with young people aged between 16 and 24 who have involvement with the justice system and are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The program has provided support including intensive case management to more than 90 young people.
A key component of the program is the provision of residential supported accommodation at our Dillon House property. Since Next Steps began in April 2012, 28 participants have resided in Dillon House, where they are supported to develop daily living skills including cooking, meal planning, shopping, budgeting and banking.
Next Steps’ approach is to focus on building trusting relationships that are meaningful to each young person, and the program offers a therapeutic approach that acknowledges the trauma experienced by most participants.
The program is funded under the Victorian Homelessness Action Plan.
Congratulations to the Next Steps team on the well-deserved recognition.
