By Victoria Stone-Meadows
At risk youth in Cranbourne and surrounding areas will be given a new home thanks to Boutique Homes and children’s charity OzChild.
The new house is ready to begin construction in the Tulliallan Estate in Cranbourne North and will provide a safe space for the region’s most vulnerable young people.
The house will be a modified version of one of Boutique Homes’ best-selling models and will feature open plan living, dining and kitchen, a separate home theatre and extended outdoor living space.
OzChild is the largest provider of foster care for vulnerable children in Melbourne’s South East helping more than 6000 children, young people and families every year.
The house from Boutique Homes will form part of OzChild’s ‘Let’s Stay Together’ program and will house siblings together who may have been separated in a traditional foster care scenario.
OzChild CEO Lisa Griffiths said the importance of siblings staying together could not be overstated and the house would go a long way in improving outcomes for children in foster care.
“It’s a wonderful commitment by Boutique Homes to make this temporary home as beautiful as a display home, it will really give children and young people in our care hope, dignity and the chance to shine,” she said.
Managing Director of ABN Group Victoria – the company that owns Boutique Homes – Aidan Hooper said they were proud to partner with OzChild to provide this important service.
“We recognise the importance of siblings remaining together and supporting OzChild in this way will help brothers and sisters stay safe, and stay together,” he said.
“We have encouraged our staff to be part of this initiative, with the team holding fundraising activities to help raise funds towards this important project.
“We have also had generous contributions and support from our valued supplier partners and trades, who we look forward to working with to deliver a quality new home for our friends at OzChild.”
The new house is expected to be completed by October.
