Ladder Brochure

How Ladder works.

Get your business involved.

Ladder is based on an internationally

‘a roof over their head’. They require

regarded service model named Foyer,

support to find pathways toward

as a way to tackle youth homelessness.

independent living. Ladder has refined

The Foyer service model recognises

this model to reflect the unique aspect

that young people need more than just

of AFL involvement in this project.

There are many ways your business can help:

Sponsor or donate to the program.

Assist program graduates to access private rental accommodation.

Provide traineeships or work experience Innovation Environment

Mentoring

Self contained accommodation

Educational and vocational networks

Shared social space

Community integration

Educational space

Health & fitness programs

Onsite staffing

Vocational training Life skills programs

Connect your sporting club or

to a young person.

Ladder.

A way out of youth homelessness.

community group to the program.

Conduct workshops to inform residents about your industry and potential

Donate equipment or furnishings to

career pathways.

the facility.

As well as helping Australian homeless youth, your business will gain exclusive media and corporate awareness through affiliation with the program.

Support Preparation Referrals assessment Tenancy management

LADDER

Case management

tackling youth homelessness

Counselling

For more information on Ladder visit ladder.org.au or email info@ladder.org.au

“Ladder dder aims to provide progr programs that will give hope, inspiration and imp improve the lives of homeless meless young people by tapping into the resources, ces, passion and commitm commitment of the AFL and the players themselves.”

- ladder.org.au

LADDER tackling youth homelessness

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What is Ladder?

Helping the youth of South Australia.

Ladder is a joint initiative between the AFL Players’ Association and the AFL Foundation. Created to tackle the issue of youth homelessness, Ladder will offer young people with

community and Ladder’s key asset – the players themselves.

Ladder has formed a partnership with the Government of South Australia and

AFL players (and elite female athletes) will be involved in many aspects of Ladder, most importantly playing key

the Commonwealth Government which will see the opening of the first Foyer

histories of homelessness integrated accommodation, support and other opportunities to make a lasting impact on their lives.

mentoring roles for the young people in the program. The players’ time will be volunteered and will focus on promoting self-growth and independence as well as building the confidence and self-

Australian Football holds an important emotional presence within Australian society. Ladder hopes to tap into this relationship by drawing on the resources, passion and commitment of the AFL, the media, the broader

The AFL Foundation

The AFL Players’ Association

Recognising that the AFL has an important role to play within the broader community, the AFL Foundation seeks opportunities to use Australian football as a vehicle to build community capacity and social cohesion.

The AFL Players’ Association is the representative body for all current AFL players.

with disabilities and addressing youth homelessness through Ladder.

The AFLPA is entrusted to enhance and secure the personal development of past, present and future AFL footballers. As part of this personal development Ladder will provide a valuable opportunity for players to make a difference to these young lives.

The building will also contain common areas, meeting rooms, internet access, office space and a training café.

Homelessness can happen to anyone – as an individual’s or family’s circumstances can change very quickly. Far from the stereotype of the alcoholic on the park bench, the truth is nearly half of the 105,000 Australians who are homeless on a given night are under the age of 25 and more than 12,000 are children.

Domestic violence is the biggest cause of homelessness in Australia, although mental illness, unaffordable housing, drug, alcohol and gambling addictions all play their part. Australia can’t allow the 50,000 kids who pass through homeless shelters each year to be condemned to a lifetime of disadvantage.

A building has been purchased in Port Adelaide and renovations are already

That’s why the Rudd Government developed its White Paper on Homelessness, released in December last year, which lays out a comprehensive plan to tackle homelessness. The White Paper contains ambitious targets – to halve homelessness and offer accommodation to all rough sleepers who seek it by 2020.

The White Paper comes with a huge injection of funds. It provides an additional $1.2 billion over four years - a 55 per cent increase in investment in homelessness and a substantial down payment on a twelve year reform agenda. It includes a commitment of $800 million over the next four years for new support services for homeless people and $400 million over the next two financial years for social housing, to house the homeless.

Helping the youth of Victoria.

Ladder has also formed a partnership with the Victorian State Government that has accessed a recently completed facility in Melbourne’s innernorth. The building will house 21 young people

It’s my firm view that homelessness should be considered unacceptable, especially in a country as wealthy as ours. Ending homelessness is a complex task – it is not simply a question of building more houses. That’s why I was proud to launch the Port Adelaide Ladder foyer project along with representatives from the South Australian Government, the AFL Foundation and AFL Players’ Association.

in self-contained accommodation.

The building will also provide internet access, common areas, a rooftop garden, office space, communal laundry and a seminar room.

Based on the success of Foyer models in the United Kingdom and France, the Ladder foyer project will provide accommodation and services for young people, coupled with support to help with getting an education or a job. AFL players and elite female athletes will mentor the young people, helping them make good decisions for their future.

The Australian Government will provide $5.5m for the project in South Australia with the South Australian Government promising $4m.

Ladder is an outstanding example of what can be achieved when governments work with nongovernment organisations, local businesses and community groups.

Homelessness is everyone’s responsibility and we all need to work together and take responsible action now to reduce homelessness in Australia.

Through Ladder the association is able to leverage the power of the AFL brand to help make a positive difference to disadvantaged youth.

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will house 23 formerly homeless youth in self-contained accommodation.

esteem, of the participants. Vocational, psychological and accommodation needs will be addressed through partnerships with government and existing service providers.

The AFL Foundation and AFL Players’ Association support Ladder.

The foundation is currently running a number of projects including addressing issues faced within indigenous and multicultural communities, ensuring AFL games are accessible to people

model of accommodation in South Australia in 2009.

underway. Once renovated, the building

Ladder’s working with the support of the Government.

Tanya Plibersek Minister for Housing Minister for the Status of Women

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