Berry Street

31/08/2026

It was great to gather on Friday in an informal setting to celebrate Wear it Purple Day!

The splash of purple in clothes and decorations and the effort with cupcakes, cookies, slices and dip platters was greatly appreciated.

Wear It Purple was created to ensure every LGBTQIA+SB young person knows they are seen, supported and never alone.

A special thank you to Andrew Lowth, Principal Practitioner, Quality Safeguarding, for sharing his personal reflections on the meaning of Wear it Purple Day and the importance of inclusivity and welcoming of everyone within our community. His experiences were a powerful reminder of how a small gesture of inclusivity can have such a positive impact on someone.

27/08/2026

After experiencing severe trauma in her earliest years and moving through multiple placements, starting primary school was overwhelming for Jeannie*. Living with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) alongside speech and developmental delays, the sudden shift into a busy classroom heightened her fear and anxiety.

To cope, Jeannie developed an intense fear of germs. She washed her hands dozens of times a day, refused physical contact with others, and hid behind a face mask every day. When we first met, even making eye contact felt impossible.

Through weekly sessions with Berry Street’s Take Two program, we worked alongside her dedicated carer to build a gentle, supportive routine. Using emotion cards and life narrative work, we helped Jeannie understand her big feelings: learning that her urge to constantly wash her hands was just her brain’s way of responding to anxiety.

Slowly, trust began to replace fear. Jeannie felt safe enough to take off her mask during our sessions. Then, on her way out the door last week, she turned around and held up her bare hand for a high five.
It was the very first time she had initiated physical contact, and a wonderful milestone of safety, connection, and healing.

Sara, Take Two Clinician: Berry Street

*names and images have been changed for privacy purposes

24/08/2026

Families, early years professionals and community partners came together at Inverloch Library to celebrate the launch of the South Coast Early Literacy Initiative, helping children build strong foundations for language, learning and connection.

We were thrilled to have much-loved local author and illustrator Alison Lester join us, sharing stories and her reflections on the importance of early literacy.

As part of the initiative, families attending selected Maternal and Child Health visits across Bass Coast and South Gippsland will receive a free, high-quality children’s book to enjoy together at home. 📖✨

Literacy starts long before a child learns to read. Sharing books, stories and conversations from the earliest years helps children develop important skills while creating opportunities for families to connect.

Karen, Early Childhood Development Project Worker at Berry Street Yooralla said, “Learning to read is like building a house. Children need strong foundations before they can build the walls and the roof.” 🏠

Delivered through South Coast Best, with Berry Street Yooralla as lead organisation, the initiative brings together local health, library and early years partners to give children the best possible start.

24/08/2026

Navigating life after a long history of family violence presented significant hurdles for Emily* when she first entered Berry Street’s GOALS (Going Out and Living Successfully) program.

Her primary goal was to build her confidence and take meaningful steps towards an independent future. Like many young people who have survived trauma and faced the risk of homelessness, she experienced a lot of anxiety. Even the simple prospect of applying for jobs felt like a real challenge.

Through dedicated encouragement, gentle goal setting, and practical support to build her independent living skills, Emily felt championed every step of the way. With our team in her corner to help unpack her fears and celebrate her progress, she gradually found the strength to put herself forward for new opportunities. Seeing her secure a part-time role as a retail assistant was a wonderful milestone and a powerful reminder of the resilience young people show when wrapped in the right community care.

I felt incredibly proud watching her take this vital step towards sustainable long-term independence.

Dermot, GOALS Program Case Manager

*names and images have been changed for privacy purposes

21/08/2026

Sexual and family violence is shaped by gender inequality, power and social norms and broader systems of inequality; prevention requires challenging the conditions that enable violence.

Read more below 👇

Sexual and family violence is shaped by gender inequality, power and social norms and broader systems of inequality; prevention requires challenging the…

17/08/2026

For 10 years, the Education First Youth Foyer in Shepparton has been helping young people experiencing or at risk of homelessness find more than a home, it’s been a place to find stability, connection, confidence and a sense of belonging.

Since opening in 2016, more than 370 young people have called the Foyer home.

They’ve gone on to finish university degrees, step into management roles, buy their own homes and build lives they’re proud of.

And many come back to visit the people and place that supported them along the way.

As Anita, Senior Manager says, the Foyer is “not just a bed”. It’s a team that works with young people, supporting them to set their own goals, discover what they’re capable of and build the connections they need to thrive.

Recently, more than 100 past residents, staff, volunteers and community partners came together to celebrate 10 years of those stories, achievements and connections.

Because when a young person has a safe place to call home, someone in their corner and the opportunity to build a future, their whole trajectory can change.

Read more 👉 https://www.berrystreet.org.au/news/celebrating-10-years-of-the-education-first-youth-foyer-in-shepparton

12/08/2026

We’re incredibly proud of our Berry Street Yooralla residential care teams following ResiROCKS 2026, a celebration of the incredible people who support children and young people in residential care.

Congratulations to Reza Karimi from Hume, co-winner of the RCLADS Learner Award, recognising his commitment to learning and development ✨

The Vale Street team also received an Honourable Mention for Residential Team of the Year, recognising the meaningful difference they make in the lives of young people.

And there was another big win! A young person from our East Road house took out the ResiROCKS Hoodie Competition with a creative response to this year’s theme: Belonging.

Around 50 BSY residential care team members came together to celebrate, learn, connect and recognise the incredible work happening across our teams.

Congratulations to all our nominees, finalists and winners, and thank you for the care and connection you bring every day. 💙

08/08/2026

As we round out , we had some very special guests join the conversation, with Grade 5 students from Clifton Hill Primary School sharing what makes a home for them. 💙

From family and friends to feeling safe, comfortable and loved, their answers were a beautiful reminder that home is about so much more than four walls and a roof.

Thank you all for following along and joining the conversation this Homelessness Week.

It’s been a wonderful opportunity to reflect on what home means to each of us, and to highlight why everyone deserves a safe, secure and supportive place to call home.

What makes a home for you? 💙

07/08/2026

This , we asked participants and staff one simple question: What makes a house a home? 🏡💙

Our house continues to grow, with stability, safety and security emerging as common threads in the stories our participants are weaving about what home means to them.

Yet for the 122,494 people experiencing homelessness in Australia on any given night, these fundamental things many of us associate with home are often out of reach. It’s a reminder of just how important safe, secure and supportive housing is, and how much work there is still to do.

Follow along this week and join the conversation – what makes a home for you? 💙

06/08/2026

This , we asked participants and staff one simple question: What makes a house a home? 🏡💙

Our house continues to grow, as our service users share more about what makes a home for them.

Answers like 'laughter and lots of hugs', 'family', 'somewhere to look forward to going everyday', 'somewhere that I feel safe enough to sleep', 'warmth and coziness', 'a place I can relax' and of course our furry friends, such as 'my cat Kevin', remind us that a home is about belonging, comfort and feeling safe to be yourself.

Follow along this week and join the conversation – what makes a home for you? 💙