Lighthouse Foundation

We were honoured to recently welcome the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Hon. Milton Dick MP, alongside Sarah Witty MP, to Lighthouse.

As Australia marks the 125th anniversary of the first sitting of the Federal Parliament at Melbourne’s Royal Exhibition Building in 1901, we were grateful for the opportunity to share conversations about the experiences of young people and the issues that matter most to them today.

We also spoke about Lighthouse’s long-term therapeutic model of care and the importance of creating safe, stable and supportive homes where young people can heal, grow and thrive.

Thank you for visiting and for taking the time to listen to the voices and perspectives of young people in our community. 🧡

Our outdoor branding has had a well-deserved glow up, thanks to the generous support of MICM Real Estate ✨

A heartfelt thank you to the MICM team for your ongoing partnership, and to Brand Laundry for providing pro bono design support to bring it all to life.

We’re incredibly grateful for our community of partners and in-kind supporters who continue to show up and lend their expertise where it’s needed most. Your support truly makes a difference.🧡

National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to reflect on our shared history and commit wholeheartedly to reconciliation, not just this week, but every day.

This year’s theme, 'All In', reminds us that reconciliation is real and lasting change requiring all of us to listen, learn, and take meaningful action.

It also acknowledges that advancing the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is not the responsibility of First Nations communities alone. For far too long, First Nations peoples have carried the burden of advocating, educating, and driving change.

At Lighthouse, we are committed to walking alongside First Nations peoples and continuing our journey towards reconciliation with care and accountability.

You can read our Reconciliation Action Plan here: https://www.lighthousefoundation.org.au/who-we-are/reconciliation/

Today, on National Sorry Day, Lighthouse Foundation honours the strength, resilience, and enduring spirit of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, especially the Stolen Generations, their families, and communities.

We acknowledge the deep pain and injustice caused by the forced removal of children from Country, culture, and kin, and recognise the lasting intergenerational trauma that continues to be felt today.

As we reflect and remember, we commit to listening, learning, and walking alongside First Nations peoples in the spirit of truth-telling and reconciliation.

Artwork by Reconciliation Australia

Lenah* is a young Gunaikurnai mum determined to break the cycle of intergenerational trauma for her son.

After years of couch surfing and instability, Lenah found safety and support through Lighthouse. Learning to trust took time, but today, she and her family have stable housing, connection, and hope for the future.

Her story is why Lighthouse’s Young Parents and Babies program is so vital. Young parents facing homelessness are raising babies while still healing from trauma themselves.

This Tax Time, we need your help to keep young parents and babies together in safe, nurturing homes.

🧡 Donate now and help a young family break the cycle of intergenerational trauma: https://www.lighthousefoundation.org.au/tax-appeal-2026/

*Name changed for privacy.

May 17 marks (the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia). A day to stand together against discrimination and celebrate the diversity of the LGBTQIA+ community. 🏳️‍🌈

While progress has been made, there is still important work to do to ensure every person feels safe and respected.

🌈 In 2025, LGBTQIA+ people were less likely to be out at work than they were in 2022.
🌈 Two in three LGBTQIA+ young people experience abuse because of their identity.
🌈 35% of LGBTQIA+ Australians have experienced verbal abuse in the past 12 months.

In FY 24/25, of all the young people supported, 10% identified as LGBTQIA+. Lighthouse Foundation stands with the LGBTQIA+ community and remains committed to creating spaces where every young person feels safe, seen, and supported. 🧡

We’ve just received a very exciting delivery from SKOPE 👀

At Lighthouse, we’re working on an important new initiative designed to support our young people and wider community, helping ensure access to food is always within reach.

This fridge is set to play a meaningful role in what’s to come… any guesses what it might be used for?