Daniel Mulino (Fraser, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

After years of long-term homelessness, addiction issues and poor health, 45 men have a safe and welcoming place to call home thanks to the Salvos. At Footscray's Foley House, staff provide around-the-clock care 365 days a year. Nearly a fifth of the men have an intellectual disability. Nearly half have an acquired brain injury. Three-quarters report chronic physical illness and disability, while nine out of 10 experience severe mental illness.

Although the men have expressed significant trauma, they are turning their lives around thanks to the specialist support they are receiving for the first time often in decades. Staff look after all the men's daily needs and coordinate services to ensure continuity of care. The men also enjoy art, music, dog therapy, a cooking club, weekly meditation sessions and outings to local cafes, stimulating visits to places such as Scienceworks and the aquarium, live music events and the cinema, trips to the beach and, last but not least, the odd AFL footy game. Some of the men also like to visit the places where they used to sleep rough, as a reminder to them of how far they have come.

Congratulations and thanks to all those at Foley House who make the good work of those who work there and live there possible.