Empower YOUth L.A.B – Manningham is an innovative, trauma-informed learning and employment precinct designed for at-risk young people aged 9–25. Our mission is to create real-world opportunities for young people to gain paid work experience, accredited training, and wraparound wellbeing support in a safe, inclusive, and culturally respectful environment. Through the L.A.B, participants will engage ...
Empower YOUth OoHC
Empower YOUth L.A.B
GOAL
$154,580,000
Australia > VIC > Metro and Regional
Field of Interest
- Community and economic development
- Individual/family services and support
Target Population
- People experiencing socio-economic disadvantage or vulnerability
- Asylum seekers, refugees, migrants and people from CALD backgrounds
Empower YOUth OoHC
Empower YOUth is a registered charity and health promotion organisation with DGR status, proudly based in Templestowe Lower and serving the Manningham community, rural Victoria, and beyond.
Our mission is to deliver innovative, evidence-based, trauma-informed programs, workshops, and supports that transform the lives of young people, empower caregivers, and build stronger communities. Our vision is to prevent children and young people from entering out-of-home care by supporting families before crisis, ensuring every young person has the opportunity to thrive.
We address the urgent need for trauma-informed, person-centred support for at-risk youth and families. Our programs focus on mental health, emotional resilience, and community connection, delivered by a qualified and compassionate team. As a small, hands-on organisation, we are uniquely placed to provide flexible, responsive support—offering services beyond standard hours, in homes, and within the community.
Our current priorities include expanding Empower YOUth LAB (a trauma-informed learning and employment precinct for youth), strengthening partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and increasing access to therapeutic supports and life skills workshops. Funding will enable us to grow our reach, support more families, and deliver measurable improvements in wellbeing and community participation. We are committed to innovation, community focus, and improving health outcomes for young people.
Together, we are building safer, healthier futures—one young person, one family at a time.
Project Summary
Empower YOUth L.A.B – Manningham is an innovative, trauma-informed learning and employment precinct designed for at-risk young people aged 9–25. Our mission is to create real-world opportunities for young people to gain paid work experience, accredited training, and wraparound wellbeing support in a safe, inclusive, and culturally respectful environment.
Through the L.A.B, participants will engage in flexible, supported employment, life skills workshops, and community projects, all underpinned by evidence-based trauma-informed frameworks. Our multidisciplinary team—including allied health professionals, career counsellors, and community leaders—works alongside young people to build confidence, emotional resilience, and pathways to further education or employment.
We are addressing the urgent need for accessible, person-centred support for young people at risk of disengagement, unemployment, or entering out-of-home care. By removing barriers like transport, providing a welcoming space, and fostering strong community partnerships, the L.A.B ensures every participant feels they belong and can thrive.
Our goal is to deliver measurable outcomes: improved mental health, increased job readiness, and stronger community connections. Funding and community support will allow us to expand our reach, deliver more projects for local charities and organisations, and showcase the strengths and potential of Manningham’s youth.
Together, we are building a safer, healthier future—empowering young people, strengthening families, and enriching our whole community.
Project Outcomes
Empower YOUth L.A.B – Manningham aims to create a safe, inclusive, and empowering environment where at-risk young people (aged 9–25) can build skills, confidence, and real-world experience to shape positive futures. Our primary goal is to prevent youth disengagement, unemployment, and entry into out-of-home care by providing trauma-informed, person-centred learning and employment pathways.
We are working to achieve:
* Increased job readiness and employability for participants through paid work experience and accredited training.
* Improved mental health, emotional resilience, and life skills via wraparound supports and evidence-based workshops.
* Stronger community connections by engaging young people in meaningful local projects and partnerships, including with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
We will know we have achieved our aims when:
* Participants report increased confidence, wellbeing, and readiness for employment or further education.
* Measurable improvements are seen in participant engagement, retention, and successful transitions into jobs, further training, or community roles.
* Local organisations, families, and stakeholders report positive impacts from our community projects and collaborations.
* The program model is recognised as a best-practice approach and is sought after for replication in other regions.
* By tracking participant outcomes, gathering regular feedback, and sharing our results with the community, we ensure that Empower YOUth L.A.B delivers lasting, meaningful change for young people and the wider Manningham community.
Budget Breakdown
TOTAL BUDGET: $1,607,000
FUNDING
| Funding source | Amount |
|---|---|
| Empower YOUth OoHC Services - Donated quartely (Total Amount pledged for 4 years) | $40,000 |
| Bunnings Sausage Sizzles - Bi-monthly (Total approx. funds raised for 1 year) | $19,200 |
EXPENSES
| Expense item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Staffing & Leadership - Program Leaders, Empower YOUth Professional, Assistant - Total 4 years | $495,000 |
| Mentors & Student Support Mentors (18–25) - student placements, volunteer support | $390,500 |
| Subcontracted & Specialist Services - Therapeutic, specialist, and external program delivery | $200,000 |
| Program & Activity Costs - Materials, food, pantry, cultural events, activities | $175,500 |
| Office Space Rental - to deliver L.A.B program | $160,000 |
| Operations & Utilities - Utilities, insurance, office supplies, memberships | $103,000 |
| Training, Evaluation & Outreach -Staff/mentor training, evaluation, reporting, marketing | $59,500 |
| Transport & Contingency | $23,500 |
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