Right now, in Australia, 1 in 7 people (around 3.7 million Australians) are living in poverty (ACOSS 2025). Rising rents, utilities and food costs are stretching families and young people to breaking point. When the baseline is this fragile, the difference between falling behind and staying afloat often comes down to support, connection, and opportunity. That’s where Youth Projects steps in, and on the frontline, we see the impact every day.

Youth Outreach: walking alongside young people

Disadvantage rarely comes in neat packages. Young people often face overlapping barriers: housing instability, mental health challenges, family breakdown, or disrupted schooling. Our Youth Outreach coaches become trusted guides, helping young people navigate complex systems, advocate for themselves, set achievable goals, and stay motivated even through setbacks.

“Young people often come to us looking for help to find a stable place to call home, or processing trauma from sleeping rough or couch surfing” says Josh Winther, Youth Outreach Worker. “Behind every statistic, there’s a story… fleeing violence, juggling study and work, or trying to survive on support payments that no longer stretch far enough. Understanding the story helps us support real change.”

One consistent, committed adult can be the tipping point that allows a young person to start breaking free from the cycle of disadvantage.

Youth Hubs: safe space, essential aid and connection

In Melbourne’s west, our Youth Hubs offer more than just appointments. They’re a place to recharge, connect and belong. Here, young people can access:

• Food: ingredients, meals or take-home items for when there’s nothing left in the cupboard
• Work-ready wardrobe: interview or uniform clothing, so young people don’t need to pay out of pocket just to show up on their first day
• Computer and WiFi: essential for job applications, study and staying connected
• Games and community: simple moments that restore confidence and connection.

“We’re seeing firsthand how poverty and the rising cost of living are hitting our young people,” says Karim Gamali, Team Leader at Melton Youth Hub. “Demand for our food pantry just keeps rising. We try to keep it stocked, but even Foodbank is stretched.”

Our hubs give young people a place to feel seen, safe and supported, but as child and youth poverty rises faster than any other age group, demand continues to grow.

Youth Employment: breaking cycles through meaningful work

One of the most powerful ways to disrupt long-term disadvantage is through employment, education or training. But getting a job isn’t as simple as filling out an application when you’re already behind.

For many of our young people, just reaching the starting line means overcoming barriers that others never face: no stable housing, no ID, no transport, or no money for interview clothes. Through Transition to Work, our youth coaches take a holistic approach, supporting young people to not only get job-ready, but life-ready.

“Young people tell us when they reach out for help, many services are already exhausted,” says Karim. “It’s heartbreaking to see them trying to meet basic needs while also managing school, work or a job search.”

Our teams help to bridge that gap, providing practical support, confidence-building and a safe base to return to. Whether it’s connecting them with essentials through the Youth Hub, building resumes, or helping them navigate systems, we work to ensure every young person has a fair shot at the same opportunities as their peers.

With this wraparound support, we see young clients move from uncertainty and exclusion to steady employment, apprenticeships or study, and most importantly, a renewed sense of agency and hope for the future.

Youth Projects X We Are Mobilise: housing and financial empowerment

Through our partnership with We Are Mobilise, young people facing or at risk of homelessness get targeted help when it matters most. That includes:

• Bond and housing support to secure a safe home
• Essential items to settle in
• Financial coaching to build budgeting and saving skills

“Working alongside We Are Mobilise has been incredible,” says Dennis James, Head of Youth Employment. “Together we’ve helped young people find not just jobs, but a renewed sense of belonging, hope and direction.”

Since our partnership began with We are Mobilise, we have distributed $170k+, provided over 80 months of housing and changed 59 lives of young people living below the poverty line. This partnership means young people aren’t forced to choose between stability today and opportunity tomorrow.

The Living Room: health and holistic care

In Melbourne’s CBD, The Living Room provides free primary health care and essentials for people experiencing homelessness including showers, laundry, WiFi, GP and nurse appointments, material aid and compassionate support.

“We’ve seen a rise in first-time visitors to our service, many dealing with the cost of living and a hostile housing market,” says Sam Swift, Floor Supervisor. “Housing services are struggling to keep up and that cycle of insecurity just keeps growing.”

A clean shirt, a shower, or a charged phone may seem simple, but for many, it’s what helps maintain dignity and hope.

Night Nurses: bringing care to those most in need

For some of the most vulnerable people in Melbourne, poverty is at its harshest when they’re sleeping rough. Without a fixed address or access to traditional healthcare, basic medical care can feel out of reach. That’s where the Night Nurses step in.

Working after hours, our Night Nurses provide anonymous medical outreach directly to people sleeping rough, treating injuries, checking on chronic conditions, offering harm-reduction support, and connecting clients to follow-up care. Their work ensures that no one falls through the cracks simply because they can’t make it to a clinic.

"Each night we see how poverty quietly shapes people’s health, safety and choices. By stepping out to meet people where they are, we offer care, connection and the essentials every person deserves," says Georgia Paffenholz, Night Nurse. "In these moments, we listen, we see, and we stand beside people with dignity and respect providing social, mental and physical support without exceptions."

Even in the middle of the night, a simple intervention like a wound treated, medication provided or a warm conversation, can make a life-changing difference. It’s care that meets people where they are at, with dignity and respect at the core.

Breaking the cycle

Poverty isn’t just a lack of money. It compounds, shaping health, education, identity and opportunity. Breaking the cycle of poverty requires consistent, connected support: outreach, hubs, employment, housing, and health care, all working together.

Anti-Poverty Week is a time to raise awareness, but for our frontline teams, every week is about action, intervention, and breaking the cycle for good.