Why Volunteer at Launch Housing

We have an ambitious and singular mission to end homelessness. We aim to get people housed, keep them housed, and be an influential voice on ending homelessness. We are a secular, independent provider of choice for clients and strive to be the go to organisation on homelessness for government, media, philanthropy, private donors and the community. We believe housing is a basic human right and our values of empowerment, fresh thinking, agility, leadership and courage underpin everything we do.

If you want an opportunity where you can make a real difference, and you are passionate about our mission to end homelessness, then consider volunteering with Launch Housing!

Launch Housing is working to become more trauma informed and as a leading employer in the homelessness sector, it is important to let you know that you will hear stories of distress, hardship, trauma, or violence when working with us. We encourage you to reflect on how this may impact you when considering applying to volunteer. Sustaining the Health & Well-being of our people including volunteers is our priority. We provide adequate training & supervision, Wellbeing Days, and access to Employee Assistance Program.

There are many benefits for volunteering:

Flexible - you can organise your own timetable

Life changing experience - you'll contribute to ending homelessness in Melbourne and will give you a sense of fulfilment and purpose

Fun and Positive environment - you'll meet warm and friendly team members who are here to help

Good for your well-being and mental health - research says that volunteering can help fight stress, loneliness and depression and can help improve your confidence

Share your talents - you can utilise your talent and experience as well as learn new skills in a supportive culture

About the opportunity

The Education First Youth Foyers (EFYF) are an innovative, partnership model to help young people experiencing homelessness build sustainable lives by providing and combining affordable accommodation, education, training and employment. Youth Foyers help break the cycle of homelessness, create opportunities, and help young people lead independent and fulfilling lives. Launch Housing in partnership with the Brotherhood of St Laurence, has opened two Education First Youth Foyers, Holmesglen Foyer based at Holmesglen Institute's Waverley campus and the Education First Youth Foyer at Kangan Institute, Broadmeadows.

The EFYF works from an Advantaged Thinking approach, this approach represents a paradigm shift in the way we think about and respond to people experiencing disadvantage. It is a shift away from deficit, disadvantaged or problem-saturated thinking, towards positive thinking and acting.

It is focused on identifying, developing and, most importantly, investing in the skills, capabilities, and assets of these people so that they can establish sustainable lives. Involving young people within the service is a key element to Advantaged Thinking and the EFYF program.

Both foyers accommodate 40 young people between 16 and 24 years in studio style apartments with communal living and support service areas supervised by trained staff 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Key services include Education, Employment, Health & Wellbeing, Housing & Living, Social Connections and Civic Participation coaching support and mentoring.

As a Youth Mentor, you can provide valued support to launch Housing and make a difference to the lives of people experiencing homelessness. You will spend time engaging in social and recreational activities with a designated mentee.

you will also

• Share knowledge about your own education, career and life experiences to assist the mentee in own education, career and life journey
• Offer a consistent, non-judgmental relationship and encourage the young person into a range of other relationships
• Help promote your mentee’s self-esteem and identify/recognise their strengths
• Help with goal-setting, suggest possible courses of action, support the mentee in making choices, and help mentee develop skills
• Encourage your mentee to weigh up situations and to come to decisions themselves through a process of reflection, questions, challenge and feedback
• Encourage self-reliance instead of dependence
• Provide feedback to the Relationship Officer and complete a template noting outcomes of each session. Advise staff if you do not feel comfortable with any aspects of your role or if you have identified issues that need to be addressed by staff or issues that may be a safety issue to yourself and the participant
• Notify staff of any rescheduling or cancellations of meetings
• Participate in program evaluation
• Where appropriate and in consultation engage in other activities appropriate to the aims of the program
• Agree to abide by the Mentoring Agreement and the Mentor Code of Conduct

you will be required to:

• Immediately report any concerns to a member of staff if a young person or other client discloses information that places them or someone else at risk.
• Behave in accordance with all Launch Housing policies and procedures, including the Code of Conduct Volunteer Agreement and Volunteer Guide.
• Adhere with site and/or program specific guides and agreements as required.
• Uphold the principles of the Child Safe Code of Conduct, ensuring that Child Safe Standards are translated into operational practices at all times.

what we're looking for (Key Selection Criteria)

• An understanding of or a commitment to learn the Advantaged Thinking approach to working with young people and commitment to the program.
• Offer a generous and positive outlook and have the ability to explore and encourage others to follow their own interests.
• Have developed relationship skills, communication skills and be knowledgeable, while being able to engage and communicate in a non-judgemental manner.
• Possess self-awareness with regard to personal strengths and weaknesses: have an ability to ask for help and support, and to set boundaries.
• Demonstrate resilience, reliability and perseverance.
• Previous experience of working with young people or children OR a lived experience of being involved in Youth programs is highly desirable.
• A willingness to understand homelessness, and in particular, the needs and issues affecting people who or are experiencing, or are at risk of homelessness.
• Links to networks to support the mentoring relationships and program is highly desirable.
• Ability to commit to the volunteer role for 9-12 months.
• Demonstrated commitment to the values of Launch Housing and our mission to end homelessness.

For more information, please contact Ann Howie on [email protected] using the subject line: Youth Mentor Volunteer enquiry via EthicalJobs.

how to apply

To apply for this opportunity, please click on "Apply Now" button. Please submit a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria and your CV.

For a copy of the position description please contact us at [email protected] 

Launch Housing offers a wide range of career opportunities and employs a diverse range of talent. We strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons to apply! We acknowledge, respect and celebrate Aboriginal cultures, languages, connections to Country and heritage, customs and practices. We're committed to support Aboriginal peoples to obtain genuine and fulfilling career with us!

Launch Housing is a dog-friendly organisation, which allows dog owners to bring them in some of our sites, please contact the relevant Hiring Manager if you have any questions or concerns prior to your interview.

If you require reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know at [email protected].

Launch Housing is committed to being a child safe organisation and has zero tolerance to child abuse. Our hiring process involves rigorous screening of applicants. All of our people including students, contractors and volunteers must hold a valid Working with Children Check and satisfactory criminal history record check.

Launch Housing is an Equal Opportunity employer and supports accessible working arrangements for all. This includes people with a disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, culturally, religiously and linguistically diverse people, young people, older people, women, and people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender diverse, intersex or queer. We acknowledge Lived Experience as a unique expertise and encourage people with a Lived Experience of Homelessness to apply. All applicants must have the right to work in Australia.

A position description is attached.