Overview
Education First Youth Foyers (EFYF) are an innovative, partnership model to help young people experiencing homelessness build sustainable lives by providing and combining affordable accommodation, education, training and employment. Youth Foyers help break the cycle of homelessness, create opportunities, and help young people lead independent and fulfilling lives. Launch Housing, in partnership with the Brotherhood of St Laurence, has opened two Education First Youth Foyers: Holmesglen Foyer (Holmesglen Institute's Waverley campus) and the EFYF at Kangan Institute, Broadmeadows. The EFYF program uses an Advantaged Thinking approach, focusing on identifying, developing and investing in the skills, capabilities and assets of young people to establish sustainable lives. Involving young people within the service is a key element to Advantaged Thinking and the EFYF program. The foyers accommodate 40 young people between 16 and 24 years in studio-style apartments with communal living and support service areas (supervised 24/7). Key services include Education, Employment, Health & Wellbeing, Housing & Living, Social Connections and Civic Participation coaching, support and mentoring.
As a Youth Mentor, you will provide valued support to Launch Housing and make a difference in the lives of people experiencing homelessness. You will spend time engaging in social and recreational activities with a designated mentee. This volunteer role is expected to start in 2026.
Responsibilities
- Share knowledge about your education, career and life experiences to assist the mentee in their education, career and life journey
- Offer a consistent, non-judgmental relationship and encourage the young person into a range of other relationships
- Help promote self-esteem, identify strengths, and support goal-setting and decision-making
- Encourage the mentee to reflect and make own decisions with guidance
- Encourage self-reliance and provide feedback to staff as needed
- Notify staff of any rescheduling or cancellations of meetings
- Participate in program evaluation and, where appropriate, engage in other activities aligned with program aims
- Abide by the Mentoring Agreement and the Mentor Code of Conduct
You will also be required to
- Immediately report any concerns to staff if a young person or other client discloses information that places them or others at risk
- Behave in accordance with Launch Housing policies and procedures, including the Code of Conduct Volunteer Agreement and Volunteer Guide
- Adhere to site or program-specific guides and agreements as required
- Uphold Child Safe Code of Conduct and Child Safe Standards in operational practices
What we're looking for (key selection criteria)
- Understanding of or willingness to learn the Advantaged Thinking approach to working with young people
- Positive outlook with the ability to encourage others to pursue their interests
- Strong relationship and communication skills, with an ability to engage non-judgmentally
- Self-awareness regarding strengths and weaknesses, willingness to seek help and set boundaries
- Resilience, reliability and perseverance
- Previous experience with young people or a lived experience in Youth programs is highly desirable
- Willingness to understand homelessness and the needs of people experiencing or at risk of homelessness
- Links to networks that can support mentoring relationships are highly desirable
- Ability to commit to the volunteer role for 9–12 months
- Demonstrated commitment to Launch Housing values and mission
For more information, please contact Ann Howie at
How to apply
To apply, click the “Apply for this job” button. Submit a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria and your CV. For a copy of the position description, contact
Launch Housing offers a wide range of career opportunities and encourages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons to apply. We acknowledge and celebrate Aboriginal cultures and backgrounds, and are committed to supporting Aboriginal peoples to obtain genuine and fulfilling careers with us.
Launch Housing is a dog-friendly organisation in some sites; please contact the relevant Hiring Manager if you have questions prior to your interview. If you require reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know at
Launch Housing is committed to being a child-safe organisation and has zero tolerance to child abuse. All applicants must have a valid Working with Children Check and satisfactory criminal history check. We are an Equal Prospect employer and support accessible working arrangements for all people, including those with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, youth, older people, women, and people of diverse genders and sexual orientations. We acknowledge lived experience as a valuable asset and encourage people with lived experience of homelessness to apply. All applicants must have the right to work in Australia.
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📌 Youth Mentor Volunteer
🏢 Launch Housing
📍 Melbourne