Youth and Family Program

This program is aimed at young people between 16-25 years of age. The Youth and Family Program provides short to medium-term support to young people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. This program offers assistance to young people in developing independent living skills and improving their lives through early intervention and support.

The program has two main areas of support—the first being case management to young people who are homeless or risk of homelessness. The second is about family reconciliation. In the first stream, the worker supports young people to get support and to access appropriate accommodation options. In the second stream, an intensive and targeted approach is provided to address family conflict and issues with the young person, which may include their family.

The Youth and Family Team works closely with the Homelessness Service Sector (HSS) to support young people in improving their relationship with their family through team case management, family mediation, and family conferencing. 

 The program goals are to support young people to:

• Remain or return home if safe and appropriate
• Remain connected to family in some capacity
• Reconcile within themselves through referrals for individual therapeutic counselling and/or group and family therapies.

Northern Suburbs of Melbourne

Referrals can come from a variety of places, access points, schools, youth services, self-referrals.

(03) 9482 3488
crisisresponse@merri.org.au
279 High Street, Northcote 3070