Named ‘Ladder’ the young homeless project is an initiative between the AFL Players Association and the AFL Foundation, which in partnership with State and Federal governments is renovating an historic building in Port Adelaide.
Once completed, the building will provide accommodation for 23 young people between the ages of 16 and 21 who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
Each of these young people will have access to work experience, job opportunities, and traineeships and will also take part in life skills programs such as cooking, leadership, and healthy lifestyle.
Ladder is the official charity being promoted at the Power’s Family Day this Saturday, with goal umpires to wear special Ladder shirts while the Power’s best player will receive the ‘Ladder Medal’.
Cassisi says the project is impressive.
“The thought and vision behind this project is excellent, and I’m very happy to throw my weight behind it,” Cassisi says.
“The program is about turning around the lives of young people in a long-term and sustainable way. The range of initiatives being incorporated into this one premises to achieve that is really impressive.
“I really look forward to being part of the mentoring program associated with the project once it is underway.”
More about The Ladder project:
The Premises
74 Commercial Road has been purchased by the Federal and State Government and will be renovated over the next 12 – 18 months. The building will have 23 self contained units, office spaces, meeting rooms and social spaces for the tenants as well as the possibility of some commercial lease opportunities for socially responsible businesses. The building will offer state of the art security and 24/7 staffing for the tenants and an environment that encourages training and personal growth. As the building is in the heart of the Port Adelaide area and is heritage listed, the renovations will reflect the proud history of Port Adelaide and once completed will be something the Port Adelaide community will be proud of.
The Program
The building once renovated will provide accommodation to 23 young people between the ages of 16 and 21 who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Each of these young people will have access to work experience, job opportunities, and traineeships and will also take part in life skills programs such as cooking, leadership, health and lifestyle. A professional service provider will be on site 24 hours a day 7 days a week to handle the case management and progress of each individual living on site and will work with the State and Federal Government throughout the duration of each persons stay. Each individual will build the skills and knowledge needed to then move into independent living.
Mentoring
Ladder will offer the young people living at the site with one on one and group mentoring from AFL Players and female sporting identities.
Business and Community support
The AFL has a huge number of sponsors and supporters, many of whom will offer work experience, traineeships and job opportunities to the young people living at the site.
