MEDIA RELEASE: For Change Co. starts crowdfunding campaign for new social enterprise cafe, to tackle youth homelessness in Melbourne’s Bayside.
For Change Co. is a social enterprise that runs a hospitality training program to provide pathways out of homelessness for young people. They have partnered with Yarra Trams to build their latest venue in Middle Park.
Every night in Australia, 28,000 young people are experiencing homelessness. For Change Co. set out to eliminate youth homelessness by providing opportunities for young people to thrive through the power of social enterprise. So far, they have generated over $2.8 million in revenue, employing and supporting 48 young people to escape the homelessness cycle, for good and 100% of profits reinvested into their program.
For Change Co. has partnered with Yarra Trams to create a new training space and cafe for Middle Park residents to be a part of the change in tackling youth homelessness together.
The new cafe on the tram stop at Middle Park is on track to open in December 2021, but they are fundraising to fit out the space. The campaign hopes to raise $80,000 before the end of the month with every dollar matched by their generous partners.
The new venue will mean a 30% increase in the number of young people enrolled in their home.plate training program, which has a 100% success rate; all graduates go on to further education or employment.
Managing Director and Co-founder, Tenille Gilbert says, “The new cafe in Middle Park will allow us to both support more young people who are at-risk of or who have experienced homelessness in the South, as well as to provide the local community with an opportunity to engage in social change every day, simply through purchasing a coffee.”
For Change Co. started in 2015 creating pathways out of homelessness and now has five venues across Melbourne.
Funds raised will get the cafe up and running with essentials, including the oven, tables, chairs
and kitchenware.
-ENDS-
For interviews or more information, please contact:
● Heather Lawson: heather@forchangeco.com.au or 0432 930 652
About For Change Co
For Change Co. was born from the idea that Australians can make a difference to the 28,000 young people currently experiencing homelessness every night.
The enterprise runs some of Australia’s most sustainable social enterprises to support our evidence-based programs targeting young people at risk of homelessness.
Every crêpe, coffee and jaffle have an impact, with 100% of the profits going towards key support impact areas; confidence, housing, employment, education & community.
Founded initially with Crêpes for Change, For Change Co’s fast-growing model now counts five enterprises that boast high-quality products to fund an Australia where youth homelessness doesn’t exist.
