Projects
The Geelong Project
The Geelong Project is the most developed exemplar of the ‘community of schools and services’ model of early intervention. The project received research funding and Innovation Action Projects (IAP) funding during its early development, but then was left unfunded.
The community support and active local leadership combined with continuing R&D achieved a remarkable reduction in adolescent homelessness in Geelong together with a significant reduction in early school leaving at the three initial pilot schools.
In 2018, the Victorian government granted $2.8m over two years to expand The Geelong Project from three to seven schools.
For further information:
Ms Colleen Cartwright, Project Manager
The Geelong Project
P: 03 52467500
M: 0417 021 884
E: [email protected]
The Albury Project
The Albury project was founded early in 2018 after several years thinking and some local reforms and initiatives.
A community meeting in March 2018 brought a broader community of stakeholders into the discussion about forming a ‘community of schools and services’ model of early intervention.
The lead agency is Yes Unlimited and a strongly developing collaboration has been forged with the Albury secondary schools.
Funding for the Albury Project was secured from the New South Wales Government under the USS Project in December 2018.
The Albury Project stands as an exemplar of a bottom-up community push for change.
For further information:
Ms Bec Glen, Project Coordinator
The Albury Project
P: 02 6058 6212
M: 0428 100 211
E: [email protected]
The Woodonga Project
The Wodonga Project is the second COSS site to begin operations in Victoria. The community has been actively seeking government funding to bring the innovative evidence-based COSS Model to Wodonga. The Australian COSS Model is regarded as world-best practice for preventing youth homelessness at a community level.
In December 2022, the Brighter Futures 3690 campaign was launched by a broad-based community coalition. Some $20,000 was raised for the campaign, a community petition was signed by hundreds of people, many of whom marched down the main street of the town.
Despite the recommendation from the 2020 Inquiry into Homelessness in Victoria, the Victoria Government has yet to provide funding for additional COSS sites.
The Brian M. Davis Charitable Foundation and the Jack Brockhoff Foundation have stepped in with bridging funding so that operational support can begin. The lead agency of the Wodonga Project is Junction Support Services working closely with Wodonga Secondary College.