Foundation House

Foundation House provides direct services to clients in the form of counselling, advocacy, family support, group work, psycho-education, information sessions and complementary therapies. Direct services to clients are coupled with referral, training and education roles aimed at developing and strengthening the resources of various communities and s... ervice providers. Foundation House provides services across Melbourne with offices in Brunswick, Dandenong, Sunshine and an outpost office in Ringwood. Services are also provided in a number of rural and regional centres across Victoria. Foundation House is non-denominational, politically neutral and non-aligned. How did Foundation House begin? Over the years, Australia has provided refuge for thousands of people fleeing from regions torn by years of conflict and political upheaval. Most humanitarian entrants settle successfully in Australia and, like many millions of migrants before them, make a positive contribution to Australia's social, cultural, intellectual and economic tapestry. However, their capacity to do this is strongly influenced by access to the personal and material resources required to overcome the impact that torture and war related trauma has had on their lives. In 1987 members of Melbourne's refugee communities, joined with a small group of medical and legal professionals and human rights organisations to convene a public meeting to discuss the provision of health services to survivors of torture. Initially, discussions focused on whether the services should have a community development or more traditional medical approach. As plans developed and a range of professionals become involved, a unique model evolved - a hybrid that transcended discipline differences and would provided a range of approaches within a holistic service. In 1988 two philanthropic trusts - The Myer Foundation and the Reichstein Foundation - provided seeding grants to explore the feasibility of a service for survivors of torture. This eventually led to government funding and ...Read More