Respectful Relationships

Year 9 Community Engagement – Melbourne City Mission – Youth Homelessness

During the subject Community Engagement this term, Year 9 students have had the opportunity to explore various issues in the community that they are passionate about including sustainability, youth homelessness, youth engagement, and animal welfare. This exploration was enriched by a recent excursion to the city, where students investigated the realities of youth homelessness firsthand through an information session and city tour by Frontyard Services at Melbourne City Mission.

Students reflected on how they developed a deeper understanding of youth homelessness and the complexities surrounding it.

Younus R 9G

My experience at the Melbourne city mission was a way for me to really have a deep understanding for the people on the streets. When we arrived to the city on the way I saw a homeless person who I didn’t focus on too much at the time but when we had a discussion about homelessness at MCM I really felt sad for the living conditions and not having an option for where they sleep most of the time. I also found myself thinking about what they eat and wear, as they’re not given opportunities for jobs and shelters. I had a thought to be humble and grateful for what I have cause there are people who don’t have the same stuff. To have gratitude and try and get better in life as an improvement for yourself and your family and always help people in need if you can and to think about what you would do if you were in their situation. We also took a walk around the city and Docklands which is an experience we don’t really get much so it was good to get there too and look around.

Rakaeb M. 9G

During community engagement this term we looked at a heap of different issues in the community. We visited Melbourne City Mission on excursion, and we heard about youth homelessness from a social worker. My experience at the excursion was great as it really extended my knowledge about people I see on the streets and don’t think much of as after the discussion I learned that sometimes things can really be that bad and giving people a hand should be something I should do more. I also learned that people that are on the streets really don’t have a choice. I also thought about always being grateful for what I have as others don’t have the same opportunities as I do. We took a walk down to the Yarra and were shown some of the incredibly unsafe areas of the city that people squeeze themselves into at night to be “Safe”. 

Abbie S 9G

Being at the community engagement excursion is something I won’t forget and I’m happy that I went because not only did I create a memory with my teachers and class, but I also got to learn and hear different stories about youth homelessness. I got to see the places they would stay to sleep or just hide. The entire day was very enjoyable, when being there at the discussion of homelessness (Frontyard youth homelessness) I learnt many things and I would say that it humbled many of us and taught us that we don’t always have the same things everyone does. We may be ungrateful for things at times but there is always someone out there going through way worse like being homeless or not having the things we require to have to be able to live and survive. It was very touching and I’m glad that we went to learn about this and just remember to always be grateful for the things you have in life because not many people get to experience the things you do especially our age (teenage years) since many do not show enough attention for youth homelessness.