Melbourne housing tower youth lead in community recovery after COVID-19 hard lockdown
When a coronavirus outbreak put nine city housing estates into immediate hard lockdown there was no warning, sending ripples of fear through the community. Now the youngest volunteers are making waves to get the community on track.
Melbourne City
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A North Melbourne housing tower resident has established a not-for-profit business to help young people get jobs and assist their personal development.
In July an immediate hard lockdown was imposed on nine estates, confining thousands of people to their homes for days in response to a surge in coronavirus cases.
There was no warning, with many residents coming home to find a heavy police presence, sparking fear, confusion and distress.
Young Australian People founder Barry Berih has worked tirelessly since the hard lockdown was ordered to help young community members get back on their feet.
“I think COVID-19 was an unexpected hit that we like most Australians did not anticipate was going to have the impact it did this year,” he said.
“Community development is something that I’m heavily invested in and it feels goods when I get to see the results of the hard work my team put in, as the young people in our community are continuing to flourish.”
The team has helped young people share their lockdown experience through the shelter project organised by MAV.
One event called ‘connecting the dots’ aims to link young people from the community with mentors, businesses and job agencies while learning skills to gain employment.
An active job notice board on Instagram thrived during lockdown, with organisers saying it increased engagement with local youth.
So far the account has helped 20 young people find work and given youth a platform to share their hard lockdown experience.
One story shared on Instagram by Alfred Street Tower resident Radii detailed the confusion neighbours felt when they were told of the extreme pandemic measures.
“The lockdown that was put on our tower began with no warning … The first two days residents were confused and uninformed of what would happen throughout the supposedly five day lockdown which was later extended to two weeks,” the post read.
“But once many residents of all nine towers spoke up and were heard we began to receive calls and groceries began to be dropped off … hopefully we will all overcome this unstable virus.”
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Contact Grace at grace.mckinnon@news.com.au