Job description
- Approximately 5 hours per month, minimum 12 months
- Be part of an innovative program that supports youth experiencing homelessness
- Based in Glen Waverley
- Volunteer (unpaid role)
Our Glen Waverley Education First Youth Foyer is also searching for a volunteer to support their Student Representative Council (SRC).
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
How you can help make a difference
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.
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.
This role will be based in the Glen Waverley Holmesglen Youth Foyer.
As a Student Representative Council (SRC) volunteer, you can provide valued support to launch Housing and make a difference to the lives of people experiencing homelessness. The SRC Volunteer will be the voice of the student body and will enable students to have a voice to be heard by EFYF’s decision making team. The SRC volunteer will be available to guide students in their discussions and can offer support to each meeting chair.
You’ll assist the SRC through providing:
- Advice on the SRC’s proposed initiatives
- Assistance in planning activities and goal setting
- Help to the SRC when it’s in trouble or disagreement
- Mentoring to SRC members and support their skill development
- Direction to the SRC by making suggestions and putting forward ideas
We also expect you to:
- Attend monthly SRC meetings which will be held from 5.30pm – 7pm in a designated space at the EFYF Glen Waverley.
- 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.
To be successful in this volunteer role, you will possess the following skills and attributes:
- Responsible and prepared: ability to meet time and attendance requirements; able to independently share and research relevant information and resources.
- Embodies respect and trust: is respectful of and listens to all Foyer students and the b staff respectful of the SRC and their decisions.
- Enthusiastic and supportive: Can demonstrate commitment to and support of similar social causes through previous experience; has the ability to encourage positive change long-term.
- 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.
- Ability to commit to the volunteer role for 12-18 months.
- Demonstrated commitment to the values of Launch Housing and our mission to end homelessness
How to Apply
To apply for this opportunity, please click on the “Apply Now” button. Please submit a covering letter addressing the key selection criteria and your CV.
Please note shortlisting will occur on a rolling basis, so please don’t delay in submitting your application.
If you need additional information about this role, please contact Sam Olowe on [email protected] using the subject line: Student Representative Council Volunteer enquiry via EthicalJobs.
A position description is attached.
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!
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.