Last week, TEN Women held their annual charity luncheon at Melbourne Town Hall in support of Lighthouse Foundation’s Young Women’s Freedom Program. Lighthouse Foundation is a Melbourne-based not-for-profit that supports and cares for some of Australia’s most vulnerable kids.

Its unique Young Women’s Freedom Program is delivered in a dedicated care home that supports girls and young women who are at risk of entering into, or have left, early/forced marriages and are escaping modern-day slavery. 

TEN Women is a not-for-profit organisation led by ten senior women in the property and construction industry in Melbourne with a mandate to connect and empower women to create a meaningful impact in the property industry. 

The $606,828 that was raised for Lighthouse Foundation’s Young Women’s Freedom Program will be used to renovate the Freedom House where the vulnerable young women live and receive 24/7 live-in care and therapeutic support. 

There were over 500 attendees at the event including Lord Mayor Sally Capp, who was one of Lighthouse Foundation’s first board members. Moving addresses we’re delivered by Sally Capp, as well as Lighthouse Foundation’s Founder, Susan Barton AM, and one of Lighthouse Foundation’s former young people, Christine. 

“TEN Women ran a targeted EOI to select our charity partner and while each submission was worthy of support, the Lighthouse Freedom Program resonated very deeply with us,” said Principal Clients + Communication Architectus and TEN Women board member Ruth Wilson. 

“We were impressed with the Lighthouse model of care which sees a longitudinal relationship with each resident; the idea that the Lighthouse is ‘always on’ as a guide and beacon for as long as the individual needs it.” 

“We felt it would be a privilege to expand and improve the home in which the lives of these young women are transformed through safety, support, and independence.” 

“We visited the house in our professional capacities to assess design and implementation strategy and were immediately struck by the warmth of the relationships between the Lighthouse staff and the residents, and the enormous potential of each of these young women to lead a full and happy life. We are delighted to support the Lighthouse Freedom Program” 

Dr Eamonn McCarthy, CEO of Lighthouse Foundation said that the overwhelming amount of funding that has been made possible by some of our community’s most incredible women will ensure that Lighthouse can continue to provide life-changing care, homes, and other supports to an increasing amount of women in our community who are nonetheless incredible, but are certainly far more vulnerable and in need. 

“I’d like to thank each of the attendees there on the day, in particularly our wonderful event sponsors Australian Super, Slattery, KANE, Acciona, BESIX Watpac, BlueRock, Built, Buildcorp, Charter Hall, GJK Facility Services, Hansen Yuncken, ICON and WSP.” 

“I am proud to share the following story from GJK Facility Services, and the support the team was able to give to the Lighthouse Foundation, an important charity that provides children and young people who are homeless – or at risk of homelessness – with the care and support they need to heal and thrive.” 

“In a heartwarming collaboration, our esteemed charity partner, Lighthouse Foundation, sought our support to revitalise one of their residences for young people. Without hesitation, our dedicated team sprang into action. Today, we are proud to announce that thanks to our joint efforts, this particular home in Melbourne has undergone a thorough transformation.” 

“GJK Facility Services are deeply honoured to be a part of this endeavour and we look forward to witnessing the positive impact the rejuvenated home has on the lives of these remarkable young individuals. Together, we are sowing the seeds of self-sufficiency, responsibility, and a clean, nurturing home environment that will endure for years to come,” added McCarthy.