Fort Knox visit Front Yard – Part One

Every year Fort Knox Self Storage gets behind and sponsors Melbourne City Mission’s ‘Sleep At The G’, an event which raises much needed funds that go towards providing support and services for the city’s homeless (All of the boxes, which are used as sleeping mats for the evening, are supplied by Fort Knox Self Storage). A good proportion of the money raised from the night goes towards the charity’s Front Yard Youth Services operation – a drop in centre for young people in crisis.

With ‘Sleep at The G’ about to launch for 2016, Fort Knox Self Storage went to visit ‘Front Yard’, the dedicated Youth Services Centre, situated at the Flinders end of King Street in Melbourne’s CBD.

The centre acts as a first contact point for young people, either homeless or on the verge, who are looking for help. They can come to Front Yard and access a huge range of support services all under the one roof. Services ranging from legal aid, advocacy and medical help to homeless refuge referrals and shower and laundry facilities. Food is also made available for anyone who walks in the door of Front Yard and they work in collaboration with companies such as Second Bite and Fare Share, to assist in providing this essential service.

During our visit, we were taken to ‘The Basement’, the centre’s home to a free gym (sponsored by Virgin Active) and recreational area replete with a table tennis table, a rotating selection of reading materials donated by the Melbourne City Library and a foosball table. We learnt that as well as helping to let off some steam, these recreational activities can act as a useful tool to break down the walls and can serve as a conduit for helping young people communicate. A much more appealing way to have a chat and discuss your situation with an adult, rather than sitting across a table.

If you want to help support Melbourne City Mission, you can participate in this year’s Sleep At The G, or follow the link to their website, where you will find all the information you need if you wish to donate.