1998
1998.1. Youth Homelessness
Submitted 29 July 1998 to the Hon. Joscelyn Newman (? and the Department of the Prime Minister & Cabinet).
Published: Victorian Humanist, April-May 1999: 3.
Submission Feedback
Our submission on Youth Homelessness to The Hon. Jocelyn Newman produced responses from several Government Departments and a call from the Youth Task Force in New South Wales — all favourable — where copies of the submission must have been circulated. [This was] a far cry from the standard, brief acknowledgement of receipt. In the submission we wrote:
“We propose the creation of live-in co-operatives for the homeless young, where tasks outsourced from industries or ‘cottage industries’ could create income. Household and maintenance duties could be on a rotating basis so that these skills can be learnt. Under expert adult supervision a degree of autonomy could be given to the young according to maturity and sense of responsibility. Well run, such places could specialise in different skills/products. Within, creative and innovative efforts could be encouraged: interaction between these co-ops could be facilitated and visits by experts could impart new skills.
“Such programs would help to rehabilitate and restore a sense of dignity to many homeless young”.
Encouraged by the response, a group of interested persons have been discussing this idea further. We intend to convene a Forum of experts in appropriate areas, e.g. Race Mathews (co-operatives), Eva Cox (alternative communities), Pamela Bone (Kibbutz experience), John Embling, William Kelly (Youth Work), Rev. Tim Costello (St. Kilda street kids), Jill Reichstein (philanthropy), etc.
We invite, indeed ask, HSV members for comments and participation. . . . Or forward your comment oroffer of involvement in writing to the secretary.
Halina Strnad, HSV Submissions Convener
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[End of 1998]
