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Partnership Power: A Decade of Impact with Launch Housing

By Bree Pagliuso|

For more than a decade, MCEC has been helping combat homelessness with our incredible community partner, Launch Housing. Through small contributions and large collaborative efforts, we have worked hard to make a significant impact on our people and community.

Here, we look back at our incredible 10-year journey, highlighting ground-breaking initiatives, annual events, and our combined effort to educate and advocate for affordable housing, all aimed at bringing lasting positive change to Melbourne.

First, who is Launch Housing?

Launch Housing aims to make Melbourne a world-leading city in ending homelessness. Through direct service delivery and strong community engagement, they work strategically to scale up effective interventions, prevent homelessness, and build innovative housing solutions. Their approach combines fresh thinking, agility, leadership, and courage to challenge stigma and change attitudes, envisioning a city without homelessness.

A legacy of support begins in 1976

Did you know? Before our iconic venue stood as a hub of innovation, the land was home to Hanover’s New Gordon House, providing shelter for those in need from 1976 to 1994. This foundational legacy paved the way for Launch Housing, setting the stage for a partnership embedded in compassion and action.

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2012
Our support takes off!

Our journey with Launch Housing began in 2012 through donations, workplace giving, in-kind support for events, fundraising, and marketing. Launch Housing is passionately committed to ending homelessness in Melbourne, providing life-changing housing, support, education, and employment services to thousands of vulnerable Victorians.

2019
Spare change, big impact

In 2019, we launched the Fare Change program at MCEC. A simple tap of your card turned spare change into fare change, providing PTV Travel Passes for those experiencing homelessness. This initiative, supported by the Committee for Melbourne’s Future Focus Group, made it easier for people to access the transport they needed to get back on their feet.

Empowering youth

As proud supporters of Launch Housing’s Education First, Youth Foyers, we provided young people at risk of homelessness with the opportunity to gain essential skills, stable housing, and dedicated coaching. By offering employment pathways at MCEC, we helped numerous young individuals’ step into roles in our kitchens, retail spaces, and customer service teams, providing them with the experience and mentorship they needed to thrive.

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2021
A stronger partnership

In 2021, we proudly formalised our partnership with Launch Housing, strengthening our commitment to ending homelessness in Melbourne. This three-year contract cemented our support for their mission and our dedication to a safe, liveable city. Our initiatives included workplace giving, the At-Risk Youth Employment Program, and fundraising events within our venue.

Walking the talk

Ever wondered what it’s like to live with just $10 a day, one bag of belongings, and no bed? Our team took on the Roughin' It Challenge in 2021, raising over $2,000 for Launch Housing and gaining a firsthand understanding of the daily struggles faced by those without stable housing. This eye-opening experience deepened our empathy and reinforced our commitment to making a difference.

A documentary premiere

The Road Home documentary premiere was a highlight of our decade partnership, shedding light on the stories of resilience and the harsh realities of homelessness in Melbourne. We sponsored the launch and hosted exclusive screenings within our venue, sparking meaningful conversations and inspiring action within our community.

2022
Hoodies4Homelessness

In support of Youth Homelessness Day, our team donned hoodies for the Hoodies4Homelessness campaign supporting Launch Housing and HoMie. This simple act of solidarity raised awareness and showcased our ongoing commitment to supporting young people experiencing homelessness. It was about more than just wearing a hoodie—it was about showing we cared.

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2023
Voices of change

In 2023, during National Homelessness Week, we featured a Q&A with our Community Engagement Specialist Vanessa Draga and Jess Robinson, Launch Housing Youth Development Worker, and Youth Foyer Alumni. This conversation highlighted the transformative impact of Youth Foyers and challenged stereotypes, emphasising the potential of young people to overcome homelessness.

Spreading joy

In 2023, we sponsored event space to support Launch Housing’s annual toy drive, helping to collect over 2,000 gifts—the biggest year yet!

“We were able to create toy shops across our sites, providing parents with the opportunity to handpick presents to give to their children on Christmas Day. Witnessing the joy on their faces as they chose from an incredible selection of gifts was truly heartwarming.”

- Elle Holtham, Head of Partnerships, Launch Housing

Looking ahead

As we celebrate the end of our formal partnership with Launch Housing, we look back with immense pride and gratitude. From groundbreaking programs to heartfelt initiatives, our collaboration has made a lasting impact. And while the formal partnership may be concluding, our commitment to ending homelessness remains unwavering.

"We can't thank Launch Housing enough for their tireless efforts and dedication over the last decade. Together with MCEC, our partnership captured the compassion and community spirit of both our organisations and showed how we can continue to create meaningful change with tangible, hands-on action and commitment."

- Vanessa Draga, Community Engagement Specialist at MCEC