One MCM

Melbourne City Mission has grown not only in size but also in the breadth of services.

To reflect this, governance and legal structure of the organisation was changed from a ‘Registered Association’ to a ‘Company Limited by Guarantee’.

MCM is passionate about the quest to disrupt disadvantage, break down systemic barriers and enable people to live their lives, their way.

One of the crucial tools in achieving our pursuits is advocacy. We’ve embraced our position in leadership, advocating for the positive societal change that will see everyone achieve their best future. 

Some of our recent advocacy work has included our support for marriage equality, Voluntary Assisted Dying and an inclusive education action plan for Victoria. 

Our work in homelessness helped us realise that young people needed more exciting pathways and future opportunities.

This launched our interest in education. 

Our ‘Learn Local’ application was approved in 2011, giving us the opportunity to provide pre-accredited training as a pathway to employment or further education.

Melbourne Academy was in full swing offering a wide range of education pathways for young people. 

We wanted more. 

We know how crucial education is to set yourself up for the future. We also know the traditional methods of learning are not for everyone.

We wanted to better resource ourselves to better resource young people. We wanted to provide quality education that was delivered differently but with a high level of rigour.

This is why we transitioned from the Melbourne Academy to our independent school Hester Hornbrook Academy (renamed in honour of the brilliant woman who was passionate about education and helped create MCM — Hester Hornbrook). We are now a registered senior secondary school provider using an external RTO to deliver our VETiS program.

Offering a full school education for Years 10 to 12, our school provides supports and flexibility that isn’t found in ordinary schooling. 

The curriculum is flexible and focusses on individual needs and goals. Unlike traditional schooling, our Young Mums classrooms can often be heard before they are seen with babies and mothers present and learning together.

Hester Hornbrook Academy has undergone further improvement since its establishment. Recently opening new, purpose-built sites in both Prahran, Bourke St in Melbourne CBD and Sunshine, to deliver education in inspiring venues set out to impress and engage. 

MCM’s Frontyard has unveiled a new 24-hour crisis accommodation centre that offers around-the-clock support aimed at disrupting the cycle of homelessness.

Located in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, the 4-storey building comprises 2 floors of crisis accommodation and connected services for young people 25 and under.

Frontyard develops new pathways out of disadvantage, with holistic services focussing on:

• accommodation
• health and wellbeing
• family support
• case management
• leaving care
• living skills
• legal assistance
• youth participation

One of the best ways to combat the issue of homelessness is to get the public involved

Launched in 2012, Sleep At The ’G has become a yearly event held that raises awareness and funds for young people experiencing homelessness.

The event gathers people from all walks of life together to support a worthy cause.

Participants raise funds while spending the night in one of Melbourne’s most iconic venues — the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

MCM partnered with Barnett Foundation to deliver a first in the housing sector

The Melbourne Apartments Project (MAP) is an innovative affordable housing development that provides a pathway to home ownership for existing public housing tenants.

This not only makes home ownership easier, it also frees up social housing for others who need it.

There have been life-changing innovations in the Disability sector and MCM has created a new suite of services in response.

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is rolling out across the country, giving people with disability more choice over where, when and how they receive support.

As well as helping individuals, the rollout has also led service providers to rethink the way they operate.

Melbourne City Mission provides services under the NDIS, including new services specifically designed to assist people to manage their NDIS package, called Support Coordination services.

Support Coordinators help individuals and families to arrange support and simplify what can be a complex process.