There are some big changes that will be happening at Frontyard in the coming months.
Quick overview – Five things you need to know
What is happening at Frontyard?
For over thirty years, Frontyard has been supporting young people experiencing homelessness in the city. We are now expanding our service model by adding new support options and the CBD’s first youth crisis accommodation service.
The expanded Frontyard model will launch in February 2019. It will be open 24/7 and offer a wider range of support services, including health, mental health, drug and alcohol, disability, legal, financial, family violence, counselling and more. It will also include outreach support for young people sleeping rough and online messaging/support through a new Frontyard app.
This new approach has been made possible due to an innovative partnership between Melbourne City Mission and the Victorian Government, philanthropy and the property industry.
What is happening between now and then?
We are almost ready to start construction works at 19 King Street and this means that all staff and services will move to a new location at 244 Flinders Street, opposite the train station and close to the corner of Degraves Street. The service will be open in the new location from Monday 16 July onwards.
All existing support services and programs, including YouthLaw and the Hester Hornbrook Academy, will continue uninterrupted from 244 Flinders Street. From early July until next year there will be a construction site at 19 King Street and it will not be a service site.
The interim site 244 Flinders Street was chosen because we wanted somewhere that was centrally located, close to King St and that had enough room for all staff, services and young people. It is only 900 metres from the current Frontyard site and closer to public transport options.
What are the key dates?
How will referrals change?
The most important thing for referrers and partners of Frontyard is to ensure that you direct young people to 244 Flinders Street after Monday 16 July. After this, 19 King Street will be a construction site and no support will be available there.
Opening hours, referral processes, phone numbers and email addresses will stay exactly the same as they are now.
As we get closer to the move date, we will distribute posters and other materials to relevant services to help you to direct young people to the new site. Please let us know if there is anything else we can do to help with this process.
We will also share more information about the expanded Frontyard service model well in advance of it opening next year.
Where can I get more information?
Please get in touch with Frontyard Operations Manager Rob Hosking on 9611 2434 or email frontyardredevelopment@mcm.org.au if you have any questions or concerns.
