| Housing Minister Richard Wynne has praised the hard work and dedication of Peninsula Youth and Family Services (PYFS) during a visit to mark its 20th anniversary.
Together with representatives of the Salvation Army and Peninsula Youth and Family Services, Mr Wynne paid tribute to the organisation at the Salvation Army headquarters in Mount Martha today.
“It’s fantastic to celebrate the 20th year of Peninsula Youth and Family Services and to recognise the remarkable contribution it has made to the Mornington Peninsula community for more than two decades,” Mr Wynne said.
“As we officially celebrate 20 years of PYFS, I want to thank the organisation and its staff for their service to the organisation over the years and in particular its director, Robert Martin.
“PYFS is a highly professional organisation, no less motivated than it was 20 years ago, with one core purpose: to support people to achieve self-reliance.”
Peninsula Youth and Family Services was established in 1990 and has become a key part of the Salvation Army’s South East Services Network. It now employs more than 75 staff.
The primary partners of PYFS include; WAYSS, Windermere, Good Sheppard, Peninsula Support Services, Community Support and Information Centres, Rosebud Hastings and Mornington Centrelink, Mornington Shire Council, Springvale Community Aid & Advice Bureau, Hanover, Peninsula Health Psychiatric Services, SHARPS, Mi-Health and Pendap.
Mr Wynne said the 20th anniversary celebration was timely, coming the day after the release of the Brumby Labor Government’s latest plan to tackle homelessness, Homelessness 2020.
“Homelessness 2020 represents a long-term reform process that will shift the emphasis away from crisis response to prevention and early intervention,” he said.
“Strong partnerships with the homelessness sector between all three levels of government will be vital in the difficult but important task of tackling homelessness.
“Working together, we can make a lasting difference and help those who are homeless make the transition to permanent accommodation and independent living.”
Member for Frankston, Alistair Harkness said the PFYS had made a vital contribution to the community over two decades.
“Staff do a tremendous job and I want to congratulate them for their continued efforts,” Mr Harkness said.
“PFYS has a strong record working with its partners to help some of Victoria’s most vulnerable citizens.”
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