Further enquiries contact:
Emily Umbers on 0417 057 494 or 9412 6157 or emily.umbers@anglicarevic.org.au
Media Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
13 October 2010
MUSIC GIVES A VOICE TO
YOUNG PEOPLE IN STATE CARE
These days young people are staying in the family home longer and longer, however for
young people in state care once they turn 18, are largely left to fend for themselves,
irregardless of their ability to cope with independent living. Without sufficient mentoring,
employment placement and affordable housing provision through to their early 20’s young
people leaving care will struggle emotionally and physically and become vulnerable to
homelessness, mental illness and drug and alcohol problems.
On Saturday 16 October at 2pm, young people from across Melbourne will join together at
the Streets and Lanes all-ages music event to draw attention to the issue and show support
for their peers who can not afforded the luxury of leaving home when they are good and
ready.
This free annual event is an initiative of Anglicare Victoria, the state’s largest provider of
Foster Care services. The event aims to educate young people about the issues facing their
disadvantaged peers and to engage with their community to create a more just society.
This year Streets and Lanes event will be hosted by Rockwiz co-host Brian Nankervis and
held at Thousand Pound Bend in Melbourne’s CBD. The event will feature a special 30
minute set by local indie act The Vasco Era who have just returned from a tour of China.
Anglicare Victoria’s new CEO, Mr Paul McDonald said it is critical for the long-term
development of young people in care that we continue to resource and support them
through to young adulthood.
“Around 420 young people leave care at the age of 18 years old after being in services
such as foster care or residential facilities.
“Legislation states that support for these young people should continue until they turn 21
years, however such support is piecemeal and underdone, and we need a greater effort in
this regard to assist these young people through to adulthood,” said Paul McDonald.
“Our event today, is to bring awareness to the plight of this group of people and to seek a
greater policy and funding commitment across the whole of government and the wider
community to ensure that these young people are given full government and community
support until they are 21 and beyond.”
Anglicare Victoria provides a range of programs for young people including crisis
accommodation, drug and alcohol counselling, case work, mentor programs and juvenile
justice conferencing.
Photo opportunities available with Paul McDonald, The Vasco Era and Brian Nankervis.
Interviews available with Paul McDonald, Chief Executive Officer Anglicare Victoria.
-ends-
NEWS 
