Melbourne City Mission - MCM

01/09/2026

A better future for young Victorians is possible.

MCM's 2026 Victorian State Election Platform, Safe Homes, Strong Futures, sets out five key goals to help end youth homelessness, improve mental health outcomes, escape family violence, support learning and create greater opportunities for young people across Victoria.

As we approach the 2026 Victorian State Election, we're calling on decision-makers to invest in solutions that help young people recover, learn, work and thrive.

Read the platform and join the conversation: https://www.mcm.org.au/advocacy/2026-election-platform

28/08/2026

What did we get up to for Wear it Purple Day? 🏳️‍🌈🎉

This week, MCM staff celebrated and showed their support for the LGBTQIA+ community. Across our sites there was cake, celebrations, learning activities and even a best dressed competition! 💜

Wear It Purple Day is an international movement that aims to support and empower young people of diverse sexualities and gender identities. It strives to ensure all young people feel valued and supported. It serves as a reminder to celebrate and advocate for LGBTQIA+ youth everywhere.

We recognise that young LGBTIQA+ people face a higher risk of poor social, economic and health outcomes, including homelessness. Which is why we'll continue to invest in safe housing and opportunities for young people to shape their own futures.

27/08/2026

The most important conversations happen while playing on the floor, reading a favourite book or getting ready for the day. This week is Speech Pathology week, so we'll show you how it works. 👇

Every child develops communication in their own way and at their own pace. By supporting families to build communication into everyday routines, children have more opportunities to connect, learn and participate in the activities that matter most to them. 💞

🔗 Learn more about the work our Speech Pathologists do: www.mcm.org.au/news/speech-pathology-week-2026

26/08/2026

It's Speech Pathology Week, so we thought we'd take you along a typical day with Liana, one of our amazing Speech Pathologists in our Early Childhood Intervention Services.

At MCM, our Speech Pathologist's work alongside children, families, educators, and their local community to support communication in ways that are meaningful for everyone. In this case, it meant having the confidence and knowing different ways to advocate for sensory needs (like for example, asking for a break).

🔗 Learn more about the work our ECIS team does: www.mcm.org.au/news/speech-pathology-week-2026

26/08/2026

Congrats Quantum Support Services. 👏

In June, our school Hester Hornbrook Academy also achieved Bronze for their Foundation Submission. And in March this year, MCM Housing and our services achieved Silver and Gold, respectively, for their Advanced Submissions for LGBTQIA+ inclusive services and allyship.

We'll continue to celebrate diversity and make sure that everyone we work with is safe, empowered, supported and respected.

We are pleased to share that Quantum Support Services has achieved Bronze status for its Health and Wellbeing Equality Index (HWEI) Foundation Submission.

Awarded by Pride in Health and Wellbeing (PIHW), Bronze is the only status granted at this initial stage of the Index, making it a fantastic achievement for Quantum.

This milestone reflects Quantum's commitment to shaping a more inclusive and equitable delivery of services for the LGBTQIA+ community across Gippsland, while demonstrating our organisational values of respect, integrity and empowerment.

We are proud of this recognition and look forward to continuing our journey towards greater inclusion and equality.

19/08/2026

Petrus is a painter, father of 4, and husband to Louise. In 2024, Petrus and Louise got in contact with our palliative care team.

Our services are free of charge and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, thanks to the support of our donors and community. 🫂 Through this, we were able to provide specialist health care and practical support to Petrus' and his family.

Petrus died in October 2024. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Petrus' loved ones and honour his kindness and courage in sharing his story.

🔗 Hear from our current and former palliative care clients: www.mcm.org.au/services/palliative-care/hear-from-our-clients

17/08/2026

Calling all practitioners, team leaders and managers working with young people!

If you work with young people who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness, then join our free training session focused on Family Sensitive Practice. There will be interactive, encouraging group discussions, case reflections, and practical frameworks to help inform the work you're already doing with young people and their chosen families.

The training will be led by Patrick Carroll, a social worker and family therapist with over 20 years' experience across mental health, homelessness and child-protection related services.

We hope to see you there.

Claim your free spot: https://my.mcm.org.au/family-sensitive-practice-2026

14/08/2026

If you visited our 'What Matters' art exhibition last month and were wondering who won the People's Choice Nomination…it's... drumroll… 🥁
..Syhara! with their dot painting titled 'Living Spring Water'. The artwork was inspired by a living spring water at Fossil Downs Station, that they would swim in after school with their family.

"It means a lot to me to be able to paint it and share my painting and story to others." - Syhara.

🔗 Read more about the other artists and see their artworks: www.mcm.org.au/news/what-matters-wrap-up

13/08/2026

Outdoor therapy with horses? Yes please!

From arts and crafts, music and even sitting out in a paddock with horses, our Family Reconciliation Mediation Program (FRMP) works with young people to improve relationships with community and family.

Through FRMP we've been able to support young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to:
🏠Stay or return home, if safe and appropriate
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦Connect/reconnect with family, significant others or their community
❤️Recover from recent family conflict and breakdown
💪Build on their capacity to create "families of choice"

"[Equine therapy] was a great way to get outdoors, and be with the animals that I love being with. It just really helped me." Lily, Equine Therapy Participant.

Learn more: www.mcm.org.au/frmp

12/08/2026

Last month, through our 'What Matters' Youth Art exhibition, we brought together art from young people across our foyers, refuges, and programs. Giving young people a platform to create, share, and celebrate art while challenging community attitudes towards youth homelessness. 🎨

42 artworks were submitted from 27+ young artists. From paintings, graffiti, sculptures, music, film photography, ceramic, and clay pieces. 3 young artists won prizes from their artwork. Ciel, who received an award for their song "Overboard Boy" explored themes of loss and grief.

The opening event was hosted by Xantia, a proud young Kamilaroi Woman, artist, and Lived Experience Advisor at MCM. Our CEO Paul Wappett opened the evening with an Acknowledgement of Country, paying respect to the Wurundjeri Peoples and recognising everyone involved in bringing the exhibition to life.

"I started to initially write after my mother passed. I wrote it in a way where it explored both sides of what I was currently feeling, feelings of loss grief and all the things in between. It had an acoustic vibe originally but changed to a more heavy feel to deal with some of my vocal issues on the day. This song reminds me that those whom are gone aren't far from thought." - Ciel, songwriter (Overboard Boy)

Another young artist, created a sculpture to represent the past, present and future of recovering, growing and moving forward. "The future holds promise. Flowers begin to bloom with light green, holding hope. Rhinestones show the beauty of progression, even though the past remains." - Ritter, artist (Rebirth sculpture)

People who visited the exhibition had the chance to vote for their favourite artwork. We will announce the winner for the People's Choice Award soon, so watch this space! 👀

Behind every artwork is a young person with a story, perspective and creative voice worth hearing. A big thank you to everyone who attended and submitted their art.