Ryan's story | Melbourne City Mission

Young people are most affected by Victoria’s affordable housing shortage. Every night, as many as 6,000 young people experience homelessness – in one of the world’s most liveable cities, this is unacceptable. Ryan, 24, grew up in Werribee in overcrowded housing with his brother and five sisters, Mum and step-Dad.

Often, his cousins and uncle were also living in the same house. His biological father was an alcoholic, and abused him.

Ryan fell in with the wrong crowd in Werribee but also experienced violence from members of his family and gangs in his neighbourhood.

He and his family members have witnessed extreme violence, including shootings outside of neighbourhood homes and shopping centres. In one incident of random violence, Ryan suffered a broken jaw and had part of his ear ripped off.

Male teenager wearing baseball cap leaning against a wall

We first met Ryan in 2015 when he came to Frontyard Youth Services

Our flagship youth crisis centre in the heart of Melbourne.

Ryan has been working with our caseworkers for several years – in what we call "intensive case support".

Ryan is considered what we call a "complex case" – his needs are far greater than current facilities and staff can properly and completely support.

For most young people in Victoria experiencing or at risk of homelessness, sleeping rough on the streets, like Ryan, is not a choice – it’s a last resort.

And right now, there's simply not enough room in crisis accommodation for all of them.

But you can play your part in changing Ryan's life.

Donate now

MCM places people at the centre of what we do

MCM acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the waterways and lands where we work. We pay our respects to Elders past and present. We commit to ensuring everyone we work with is safe, empowered, supported and respected, especially children and young people. We support and celebrate diversity of race, culture, ability, gender, sexuality and gender identity.