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Leading the charge in innovative and far-reaching care of Melburnians, MCM quickly achieved a number of “firsts” in Victoria.
Gaps were identified and new services were configured to offer ground-breaking support to the people who needed it most.
With their growing level of financial support and policy changes, the government continued to influence the services that Melbourne City Mission could provide.
To further progress the organisation’s innovation, MCM set out to identify ignored or unprovided for needs in the community.
MCM placed an increasing importance on the support of young people — especially the growing number experiencing homelessness.
To combat this problem, MCM introduced Victoria’s first “foyer model” of accommodation and support.
Created for people aged 16 to 25, the model made way for the Step Ahead Program.
With this innovative service, young people could receive stable housing in fully furnished homes for 2 to 3 years.
Holistic support was offered for the duration of their stay and 6 months after their departure and focused on:
This was the first time the foyer model had been introduced in Australia. Thanks to its success, it is now funded by DHS.
The Youth Foyers program is in three housing locations — The Precinct, Hoddle Street and Lion Garden.
An acquired brain injury can happen to anyone and significantly impact a person’s life. Achieving another “first”, MCM opened Compass — a place run by and for people with an ABI. At Compass, people of all ages were welcome to connect with, support and learn from other people who also had an acquired brain injury.
Compass gave an opportunity to learn or re-learn skills, readjust to life, form friendships and prepare to return to work. Success stories quickly started appearing with members:
This was the first of its kind in Australia. Sadly, after many successful years in operation, Compass closed at the end of 2020.
MCM also established the first community-based palliative care service to run in Victoria.
Caring for people in their time of need, the organisation became a leader in expert support and symptom management for people with a life-limiting illness.
The service is about much more than simply making people comfortable.
MCM offer clients and their families a service that addresses the physical, spiritual, social and cultural support they need. Workers ensure quality of life, dignity and maximised choice is maintained and can visit clients in their homes or residential facility.