The Property Industry Foundation’s Steps for Homeless Youth 2024 has gone one step further than their target this year – raising over $114,000 for Victorian homeless building projects.
On Friday 10 May, Melbourne turned on a beautiful Autumn day for Steps for Homeless Youth 2024, a running and walking event that drew 580 supporters to Albert Park Lake to raise funds for at-risk young people.
“Steps for Homeless Youth was another resounding success this year,” says Property Industry Foundation CEO Kate Mills. “It’s a day for the industry to come together to raise awareness for homeless youth and raise funds to build homes for at-risk youth. We have three homes this year under construction in Victoria; Haven House South East Melbourne with Lighthouse due to open in June; Haven House Shepparton due for completion in October and our latest project is working with Hope Street to bring 12 bedrooms to life for young people in the city of Whittlesea.”
With distances ranging from 5-20km, 43 teams took to the Steps challenge with gusto – some choosing to sprint to the finish line, and others preferring a leisurely stroll. Each step taken brought the Foundation closer to their goal of raising 100K for Haven Project building developments.
“It was a day filled with warmth, enthusiasm and community spirit, as over 580 runners and walkers came together to support our cause,” says the Foundation’s Victorian State Manager Priscilla Heathwood. “The industry’s dedication and generosity have surpassed all expectations and will make a profound difference in the lives of homeless youth. These funds will be instrumental in our ongoing efforts to provide homes for homeless youth through The Haven Project.”
Results
5km
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Female – Claire ARBUTHNOT, Roberts Co.
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Male – Billy MAROTTA, Design & Build Recruitment
10km
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Male – Elliot SHAW, Pitcher & Partners
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Female – Jane WEBB, Kervale
20km
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Female – Saskia MCELDOWNEY, Urbis
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Male – Jason LINDSAY, Charter Hall
Relay Team
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Team KORDAMENTHA REAL ESTATE
A relaxed post-race lunch was an opportunity for participants to hear from Donna Bennett, CEO, Hope Street who spoke about our latest charity partnership with The Hope Street First Response Youth Service in Whittlesea. The Foundation will contribute significant funding to a 13-bedroom youth crisis accommodation centre offering a 24/7 wrap-around response and case management support.
Guests also heard from Nicole Ward, Head of Portfolio Office at ISPT who presented a generous cheque for $60,375 to the Foundation. This donation was made possible through the Foundation’s Furniture Fund, a partnership with Egans Asset Management to provide a channel for re-using, re-selling and recycling office furniture.
Steps wouldn’t have been possible without the VIC Future Leaders Committee and our Board of Advisors, whose tireless efforts ensured the smooth execution of the event. We’d also like to thank our incredible event sponsors: Revert, Growthpoint, Plan Group, Dalton Consulting Engineers, Egans Asset Management, oOh!media, and The Urban Developer.
As the event’s Major Partner, Paul Rosenberg Vella, Revert Director was proud to be involved. “After participating last year, the team and I felt we could do more to support homeless youth, especially as our industry are in a position to make change,” says Paul. “There is so much we all still need to do to overcome youth homelessness but today we can see that if we all contribute a small part, we can all make a significant difference … one step at a time.”
As the event’s Major Partner, Paul Rosenberg Vella, Revert Director was proud to be involved. “After participating last year, the team and I felt we could do more to support homeless youth, especially as our industry are in a position to make change,” says Paul. “There is so much we all still need to do to overcome youth homelessness but today we can see that if we all contribute a small part, we can all make a significant difference … one step at a time.”
Thanks Design & Build Recruitment!
No event is possible without many helping hands. Big thanks to the team from Design & Build Recruitment who volunteered on the day. “Becoming a National Partner with the Property Industry Foundation is a big step towards having greater impact in our community,” says Andrew McGregor, Design & Build’s Managing Director.
Give us your feedback
Did you have fun at Steps? Could we have done something differently? Your feedback is invaluable in helping us improve and grow this event. Please take a moment to complete our quick survey, so we can make the 2025 Steps for Homeless Youth even more impactful.
Please take a minute to answer six simple questions
Thanks to everyone who stepped up and made a difference by joining Steps for Homeless Youth 2024. Together, we are building brighter futures for homeless youth.
