Eastern Metropolitan

About Whitelion Victoria

Whitelion has been supporting young people in Victoria since 1999.

Programs 

• Ramp Mentoring Program
• Eastern Community Connections Program

Ramp Mentoring Program

Ramp is a joint project between Whitelion and Reach, funded by the Department of Families, Fairness & Housing that aims to support young people in Out of Home Care (OoHC) in the Eastern Metropolitan region to overcome social disengagement and build a positive sense of self. Ramp uses mentoring, experiential workshops, camps, and creative engagement strategies to work with young people to help them experience a sense of community, self-worth and meaningful, long-lasting relationships.

Young people aged 13-17 living in OoHC care in Eastern Metropolitan region. Referrals are made by Child Protection or funded agencies providing residential, kinship or foster care placement support.

ramp@kidsfirstaustralia.org.au

Ramp is supported by the Department of Families, Fairness & Housing. Whitelion is proud to partner with Reach Foundation to deliver Ramp.

Whitelion is looking for volunteer mentors in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne to participate in Ramp. If you are interested in learning more about volunteering head to: Volunteer: Explore rewarding volunteer roles with Kids First! (kidsfirstaustralia.org.au)

Eastern Community Connections Program

Whitelion Community Connections is a key component of the Better Futures approach, which was rolled out by the Department of Families, Fairness & Housing on 1 November 2019. This new approach is focused on improving outcomes for young people transitioning from care to supported independence. Whitelion was contracted by the Department to deliver the Community Connections service offer featured in the Better Futures model with the aim to build networks of supportive relationships for young people in their local community. Whitelion is providing a hybrid model which encompasses the following key services:

• Community engagement and capacity building                                                              
• Harness community effort through a place-based partnership approach
• Mentoring 

Referrals will be accepted for young people between the ages of 15-18 years currently on a Family Reunification, Care by Secretary or Long Term Care Order or 18-21 years having been on either of the above three orders between the ages of 16 to 18.

The Eastern Community Connections Program is an initiative of the Victorian Department of Families, Fairness & Housing.