History of the Ardoch Youth Foundation

In 1988, Eloise, a homeless year 11 student at Ardoch Windsor Secondary College approached Teacher and Student Welfare Co-ordinator, Kathy Hilton.  This bright 17 year old girl had become homeless as a result of a distressing family breakdown, and was struggling to complete her education, coming to school from a Brotherhood of St Laurence Clothing Bin.

Kathy instantly began to work with the school and local community to extend physical and emotional care and support to deliver basic needs to Eloise.  This ranged from housing and clothes, to dental care, glasses, school supplies and counselling.  By 1989, there were 12 homeless students to care for, and by 1992 there were over 100, with many more 'at risk' and living in extreme poverty with their families. The Ardoch Youth Foundation was born. 

Kathy realised  'homeless youth',  often misrepresented as deviant street kids and runaways, were becoming homeless as a result of a wide variety of uncontrollable, traumatic reasons rather than conscious choice.  She was shocked to learn that unsupportive, un-coordinated systems and a lack of available resources and experts were contributing to young people from all walks of life experiencing homelessness, disadvantage and barriers to education.

Kathy's belief in social justice, equal access and opportunity, the rights of the child drove her to create programs and a support network based on early intervention and prevention.  She drew from and coordinated available resources in a community, and began to work to empower young people by creating options and choices.

Ardoch Windsor Secondary College was closed in 1992, and the welfare programmes moved to Prahan Secondary College.  These programs became models for other communities and by 1994  Ardoch had professionalised.

Today, The Ardoch Youth Foundation is a not for profit organisation that works nationally to make education a reality for children and young people from its Head office in East St Kilda and Ardoch Education Support Centre in Brisbane.  Ardoch consists of a small team of staff and an army of over 500 volunteers who work to support thousands of young people and their families.

Eloise has moved on to be a happy, healthy member of society. She has three degrees, and is a manager in the not for profit sector.                         

Click here to view Kathy Hilton's CV.