Horizon House opens new units in Bendigo

More vulnerable young people will benefit from St John of God Horizon House following the opening of four new units in Bendigo.

17 Feb 2017

Horizon House provides early intervention and case management programs to support young people aged 16-22 years who are currently experiencing, or are at serious risk of, homelessness.

The program offers young people long term, safe and stable accommodation as well as the essential stability and support to link young people with education, training and employment.

CEO St John of God Bendigo Hospital, Darren Rogers said the addition of the new units would play a key role in expanding the Horizon House program in Bendigo.

“The addition of the four units at the Sidney Myer Haven Complex will expand the Horizon House program to a total of six properties in Bendigo. The service will now be able to support 12 young people across our three tier program,” Darren said.

“Haven; Home, Safe has played a key role in our tier two of the Horizon House program; supporting more vulnerable young people to take the next step on their journey towards independence.”

The new units will create more opportunities to move young people into transitional accommodation, which will allow more beds to become available in the Horizon House tier one accommodation that provide intensive support, enabling a positive flow-on effect.

Director of Youth Services, Ros Fahey said that the main objective of Horizon House is to provide a safe environment and support young people to identify and achieve their own individual goals.

“We are delighted to be able to expand our program in Bendigo, and are grateful for all of the support we have received from the local community which has enabled us to provide a safe environment and support for local young people,” she said.

“Our program focusses on early intervention strategies and encourages young people to engage with education and employment to help them develop essential life skills. We work with young people to help them to identify and achieve their own individual goals so they can realise a brighter future, fulfil their potential and become engaged community members.”