Jess' story

Meet Jess: From unheard to unstoppable

“I used to feel like my voice didn’t matter. Now I know it does and I’m using it to help other young people feel heard too.”

Jess* first came to MCM’s Frontyard Youth Services after experiencing several years of housing instability. She had moved from her hometown to Melbourne looking for safety and a fresh start, after cycling through unsafe housing, temporary accommodation, and periods of couch surfing.

When Jess arrived at Frontyard, she was offered a refuge placement and wraparound support to help stabilise her life. She took part in programs that reconnected her with the community, including everything from beach walks to bowling, and slowly began to rebuild her confidence and trust.

Young woman wearing a yellow knitted beanie and brown leather jacket standing at Spencer Street intersection, with a modern architectural structure and street traffic in the background. She looks confidently at the camera.

Photo: Jess*

Through her involvement with Frontyard, Jess learned about the Youth Action Group (YAG), a youth-led program made up of young people with lived experience of homelessness. As a YAG member, she helps shape and improve MCM’s programs and policies to better meet the needs of young people accessing MCM and Frontyard support today.

“When I first joined the YAG, I didn’t talk much. I was just there, listening. But over time, I found my voice. Now I help lead discussions, make recommendations, and advocate for change.”

Jess is now also a member of the Victorian Youth Congress, and recently shared her story at MCM’s Sleep at the 'G event, using her lived experience to help shine a light on youth homelessness and the urgent need for change.

“Being part of the YAG showed me that my story has value and that I can help create better outcomes for others. That means everything to me.”

Please donate today. Your generosity helps provide safety, healing, and a voice to young people who have so often gone unheard.

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*Disclaimer: The images used may be AI-generated and do not depict real people. They are used for illustrative purposes only and to protect the privacy of the people we work with. Names have also been changed to protect privacy.

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