22 JULY 2024
The Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency (VACCA) are pleased to announce the launch of Moorumbina Mongurnallin, a culturally safe, supported accommodation program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people transitioning out of care.
The first-of-its-kind project will today launch at an event attended by Victorian Housing Minister Harriet Shing.
Developed in partnership with youth homelessness prevention charity Kids Under Cover, Moorumbina Mongurnallin is the first independent living model developed exclusively for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people.
The program takes the successful Village 21 model created by Kids Under Cover and adapts it to support the specific needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people leaving care in the Bayside Peninsula region.
“At VACCA, we see the strength and resilience of our young people, and their potential. Moorumbina Mongurnallin will help them to see it too,” says VACCA CEO Muriel Bamblett. “Our young people will be able to draw on their own strength and resilience in a supported environment, so they can successfully navigate the next chapter in their lives” Ms Bamblett continued.
VACCA has long understood that transitional supports must allow Aboriginal young people who have been in out of home care to strengthen their relationships with community and build their connection to culture.
Moorumbina Mongurnallin meaning ‘You are loved’ in Bunurong Boon Wurrung language, provides young people with connections to local Elders and access to local Aboriginal services and supports, in an environment designed to celebrate culture.
Young people residing at Moorumbina Mongurnallin will also receive wraparound supports and access to programs that strengthen their identity and culture, build independent living skills, and improve their long-term education, employment and housing options.
“We know the power of culture and its vital role in the wellbeing of Aboriginal children and young people” says Ms Bamblett. “Our hope is that this program can be replicated across the regions we work in so that more Aboriginal young people leaving care can access the supports they need to build brighter futures, surrounded by their culture, with strong links to community” Ms Bamblett continued.
As the only Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in the Bayside Peninsula area, VACCA were approached to work alongside Kids Under Cover to develop Moorumbina Mongurnallin with the support of Homes Victoria and the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing.
The Moorumbina Mongurnallin site will provide housing for six young people, supported by live-in mentors and a Key Practitioner to provide culturally safe, supported accommodation as they transition from out of home care to independence.
The launch of Moorumbina Mongurnallin will take place from 9.30am Monday 22 July at the Village 21 site in Frankston.
The event will be attended by key partner Kids Under Cover, Victorian Minister for Housing Harriet Shing, representatives from Homes Victoria, local Bunurong Elders, local MPs, key supporters, dignitaries and corporate donors.
- ENDS -
FOR RELEASE –
Beth Cesarin - Senior Manager, Communications and Public Affairs
PH: 0439 117 408 E: bethc@vacca.org
Sarah Gafforini – Director, Office of the CEO VACCA
T: 0427 621 421/ E: sarahg@vacca.org
ABOUT VACCA - www.vacca.org
The Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency (VACCA) is Victoria’s Peak Voice for Aboriginal children. We are the leading provider of Aboriginal child and family services, and the largest provider of services for Aboriginal family violence and homelessness. We have been supporting children, young people, and families in the community for over 47 years as an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO).
Through our vision of self-determination – Live, Experience, and Be – we exist to support culturally strong, safe, and thriving Aboriginal communities. We deliver over 80 programs across Victoria including child and family services, family violence, support for stolen generations, child protection, cultural strengthening programs, mental health, financial services, justice and redress support, early years, and homelessness services.