Mandate.

Ours is a mandate of conscience!

It is a mandate based on these truths

If we know something is wrong and we don't act, all we are left with is… "sorry".
Our youth are an inspiration, and we have the privilege of helping shape their tomorrows. But that carries with it a greater responsibility, because whatever those tomorrows are not, will be a direct reflection on us.
We know that with direction, purpose and available resources, homelessness can be eliminated but only if we, as a community, make ourselves accountable to that goal.
When challenged, communities are at their most creative and innovative.
Building Stronger Communities is in our national interest!
Our youth deserve the very best we can give.

Our mandate is to complement, facilitate and empower organisations and individuals working formally and informally, to better achieve their goals and recognise the true worth and value of all members of our community.

Our integrity and worth as a community is measured by our commitment in caring for the mental, emotional, spiritual and physical wellbeing of our most vulnerable… our homeless youth.

It is also our measure of success.

Youth homelessness and those at risk are increasing. Never before has there been a greater urgency and need for community co-operation and cohesion.

Our communities have never been under such a threat. Family breakdown is the highest in our history; we still have extremely elevated suicide rates; child abuse has never been so rampant; drug and alcohol abuse is prolific; and youth homelessness and exploitation is devastating a generation. However, we also have a community movement in which individuals, associations and businesses are gathering together to be a part of the answer.

The community welfare sector has within its echelons some of the most dedicated, creative and lateral people in Australia. We know that given direction, purpose and the resources that the elimination of homelessness is not only possible but achievable within a reasonable time. All we have to do is make ourselves accountable to that goal. Change is generational – this initiative is aimed at strengthening communities for those babies born today. Think in terms of 20 years and know that what we do with this expo will lay a firm foundation for that reality. It is also our hope that this initiative and the example the sector sets, will challenge our communities to join with us and find more and better solutions.

Homelessness does not just happen overnight it is a process. Homelessness is not restricted to one socio economic group, all families are at risk. As a result, homelessness can directly impact anyone in our communities.

Start A Fresh will reduce the problems associated with youth homelessness through empowering individuals, families and ultimately… our communities to find their own solutions.

The healthiness of our communities is reflected by our ability to meet the needs of our most vulnerable… our homeless youth.

In developing programmes to work with our most troubled youth, we continually find the same clients from the same socio-economic backgrounds. Therefore, little has been done to reduce the number of young people entering intervention programmes as the communities have not changed.

Start A Fresh is aiming at reducing the numbers of clients through the provision of proactive community development activities.