Dear Friends, Partners, and Glorious Village People,
This week, we literally have in our hands the official permit to build The Village! Can you believe it?! As we reach this incredible milestone, we are bursting with gratitude for the extraordinary humans who are making this wild, wonderful vision a reality. Their dedication, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to supporting young families in our community have been truly remarkable.
The Village represents more than buildings and programs – it embodies our collective commitment to ensuring that no young family in our community faces their struggles alone. So many people have contributed something irreplaceable to this vision, whether through direct service, professional expertise, creative problem-solving, or steadfast support.
As we continue this journey, we carry with us the knowledge that The Village Project exists because of such people – those who see beyond the immediate challenges to the possibilities that lie ahead. Their belief in our young families and their investment in those families’ futures has created something truly special.
Naming Names
OK. Let me name some names.
First, our Core Team. Jaclyn Jenkins has been an absolute legend! She carries the lion’s share of care for our families, walking alongside them through the darkest chapters of their lives, like some kind of superhero in sensible shoes. Her ability to slice through endless red tape while advocating for systematic change is like watching a master at work – equal parts compassion and tenacity with a sprinkle of ‘I’m not taking no for an answer’. She is the beating heart of what we do, supporting our young families through their toughest moments while simultaneously being The Village’s constant, persistent mover and shaker. Kristy Begbie, our Housing Coordinator extraordinaire – seriously, we hit the jackpot with her all those years ago! For years, she’s been like a master puzzle-solver, not only spotting the gaps in our community but actually crafting genius processes that weave together youth support with our growing and absolutely flourishing families’ work. She’s a walking, talking gift to our young people, and, honestly, her willingness to keep juggling our youth service while pouring her heart into this massive Village dream deserves all the gold stars we can muster, and more.
Then there’s our Village Development Team – Merv Stewart from Sunrise Wanderers, David Thomas and Dave Elbourne from ACASÂ Building Design, and Ben Smith from Mornington Community Support Centre – the dream team! This powerhouse trio has been like having our own personal Avengers of community development. They’ve donated their precious time, brainpower, and expertise not because they needed another project on their plate (who does?!), but because they genuinely care about the future of our gorgeous local families. Watching them collaborate has been like witnessing some beautiful, choreographed dance of making things happen. The 2 Davids – their designs aren’t just wonderful, they’re chef’s kiss perfect! They’ve been like translators between ‘what families desperately need’ and ‘how to actually make that happen in the real world’, and they’ve done it with such wisdom and humility that we’re pretty sure they might actually be magic. Also, we cannot believe how beautifully understanding they are when we come to them and say – ‘Um Dave, can you change this?’
Then there’s our Professional Partners. Jackie Prossor, from Prossor Town Planning, has shown a generosity in helping us achieve this milestone that cannot be overstated. She has taken what felt like insurmountable complications and made them manageable, allowing us to focus our energy on what we do best – supporting young people in crisis. Her expertise has been a cornerstone of our progress.
Then there’s our Trusted Community Advocates. Our local champions have stood with us through every high and low, offering wisdom and guidance when we faced situations that could have derailed this project or taken it away from the authentic needs of our young families. In particular, we want to name George Savvides, whose willingness to step into the most challenging spaces with us has been extraordinary. His wisdom, grace, and discernment have been a constant stabilising factor, helping us navigate complex decisions while staying true to our mission.
Of course, our advocates within Mornington Peninsula Shire are the ultimate movers and shakers! Their exceptional work in advancing policy to fast-track housing builds for people experiencing homelessness demonstrates remarkable dedication and expertise. These folks absolutely rock! We deeply appreciate their ability to navigate complex administrative processes and coordinate across multiple departments to achieve significant outcomes. Their skilful management of bureaucratic requirements while maintaining focus on the ultimate goal is both admirable and effective. We are so grateful for such dedicated professionals who transform policy into tangible progress and turn bureaucracy into hope for the families who need it most.
Moving Forward Together
This is not the end of the journey – we still have an incredible road ahead of us! Our capital fundraising campaign is officially hitting the road, and we’re already bursting with gratitude for those sensational humans who have made commitments already. You absolute legends know who you are!
There’s a whole lot of complicated buildy-wuildy bits that need to happen (thank goodness for our partners who actually know what all that means!), but our hearts are now set on breaking ground next February! Can you even imagine?!
In the meantime, we are currently supporting several beautiful families who are all longing for a safe future and a home for themselves and their little ones. These gorgeous families are the reason we push through every challenge, navigate every piece of red tape, and keep dreaming big.
The Village represents more than buildings and programs – it embodies our collective commitment to ensuring that no young family in our community faces their struggles alone. So many – more than have been named here – have contributed something irreplaceable to this vision, whether through direct service, professional expertise, creative problem-solving, or steadfast support that keeps us going on the tough days.
To these, we say thank you for your partnership, patience, expertise, and, most importantly, your hearts. Together, we are building more than housing – we are building hope, community, and a brighter future for the families who need it most.
With deepest gratitude and joy,
Gemma Bell (Team Leader)