September 2025
Every young person deserves a safe place to call home and the opportunity to build a life filled with purpose, stability and hope.
At St John of God Horizon House, young people aged 16 to 22 who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness find more than just shelter — they find stability, support, and the tools they need to thrive. With tailored guidance, wraparound care, and access to life-changing opportunities, St John of God Horizon House empowers young people to move forward with confidence.
Many of the young people who come to Horizon House have experienced significant trauma. They may have lived in unstable housing situations, grown up without consistent caregivers, or faced other complex challenges. The program provides more than just shelter: it creates pathways to education, employment and independence.
“The greatest challenge our young people face is securing stable employment or accessing education opportunities,” a Horizon House team member says.
Thanks to generous philanthropic support — including a vital contribution from the Spinifex Trust and WA Charity Direct — a new Transition to Independence Program has been launched. This new initiative is already helping young people take those vital steps forward towards a brighter, more hopeful future.
The program is built around three essential components:
1. Independent living skills course
Funded by St John of God Social Outreach, this course gives young people the confidence and knowledge to manage a home and take charge of their daily lives. From budgeting and tenancy support to nutrition, hygiene, and wellbeing — this foundational training helps build self-reliance and routine.
2. Education and employment grants
With funding from generous donors, these grants remove the financial barriers that often stand in the way of long-term success. Whether it’s a course fee, essential tools, or certification costs, these grants help young people move closer to their goals.
3. New home starter packs
When it’s time to move into their own place, many young people lack even the basics. With tailored starter packs residents are supported to set up their homes with dignity and confidence — including items like linen, cookware, furniture and cleaning supplies.
With the support of the education and employment grants, Sally, a young Aboriginal mother from the Horizon House Young Mother & Baby Program, was able to purchase a laptop and Microsoft 365 subscription, allowing her to begin a Certificate III in Early Childhood Studies.
Lola, a Horizon House resident, was thrilled to move into her own unit with the support of a youth housing service. A grant helped her buy essential kitchen and homewares she otherwise couldn’t afford — and she has since transitioned successfully into independent living.
Wesley used his grant to purchase gardening tools and a vacuum cleaner, to maintain his new rental home and build pride in his space.
The Horizon House team can clearly see how the investment in the wellbeing and future of our young people is having a profound and lasting impact. “With the right support and resources, we see time and time again just how much they’re capable of achieving,” they said.
The Transition to Independence Program recognises that for many of these young people, independence may have once felt out of reach. But with the right support and encouragement, they’re discovering just how much they’re capable of.
Thank you to generous donors like Spinifex Trust and WA Charity Direct for believing in them — your support is vital in helping young people take their next steps with confidence and hope. You’re not just supporting a program — you’re helping to build brighter futures.