Melbourne-based streetwear label and social enterprise, HoMie, has hosted its 100th VIP Day, an event that has impacted the lives of over 2,000 young people affected by homelessness or hardship.
Each month, the VIP Program sees HoMie close the doors to its Fitzroy store and welcome youth groups to shop free products and receive complimentary haircuts, beauty services and personal care packs – all while enjoying a fully catered lunch with the HoMie team.
On marking the Program’s 100th iteration this month, HoMie’s CEO, Stephanie Say said, “We are so proud of how far our VIP Program has come. Over the past eight years we’ve been able to make tangible impact to the lives of thousands of vulnerable young people in collaboration with our wonderful community partners. To mark our 100th iteration this month was an incredibly special milestone.”
“Our VIP Days are designed to provide young people affected by homelessness or hardship with a day of confidence and connection. They’re welcomed into HoMie for a dignified shopping experience, with the autonomy to choose brand new streetwear for themselves and get treated like the VIPs they are. It’s a really special opportunity for young people who are otherwise doing it pretty tough,” Say added.
TO DATE, THE VIP PROGRAM HAS:
- Supported 2,126 young people impacted by homelessness or hardship
- Gifted 10,782 items of clothing
- Engaged 143 community services organisations
- Delivered 427 beauty services including haircuts, manicures and pedicures
- Provided 1,274 complimentary personal hygiene packs
- Sent 451 personalised VIP packs to young people unable to attend in person
For young people who can’t attend a VIP Day in person, HoMie offers personalised VIP Packs which include five items of brand new HoMie clothing, personally selected for them. At least once a year, HoMie takes VIP Days on the road – heading out to a rural or remote part of the country and connecting with young people in different communities.
Launched in 2015, the VIP Days have since donated over $740,000 worth of products and services, all working towards HoMie’s mission of supporting young people affected by homelessness or hardship. The events are interwoven into the social enterprise’s broader social impact program, including the HoMie Pathway Alliance, a certified education and employment program – providing wraparound support for the young participants by lowering barriers to employment and education, to create long-term impact.
For more information, visit homie.com.au
About us:
ABOUT HOMIE
Founded in 2015, HoMie is a Melbourne-based streetwear label and social enterprise, located on Brunswick Street in Fitzroy. The organisation supports young people affected by homelessness and hardship, equipping them with skills, confidence, and experiences to be more work-ready and better prepared for their future.
HoMie runs two social impact programs: The HoMie Pathway Alliance, which is HoMie’s own accredited retail training and education paid internship for young people (aged 16 to 25 years) affected by homelessness or hardship; and HoMie’s VIP Program, where young people are welcomed into the store to shop complimentary brand-new HoMie garments, access beauty services, and enjoy lunch with the HoMie team.
homie.com.au // @homie.com.au
ABOUT HOMIE VIP DAYS
Launched in 2015, the VIP Program was HoMie’s very first social impact initiative. At least 12 times per year, the social enterprise closes its Fitzroy store to the public and invites young people affected by homelessness or hardship to come in and shop for free. Each VIP can select five items of brand-new HoMie streetwear, receive haircuts, beauty services, and personal care packs, all while enjoying a fully catered lunch with the HoMie team.
For young people who can’t attend a VIP Day in person, HoMie offers personalised VIP Packs which include five items of brand new HoMie clothing, personally selected for them. At least once a year, HoMie takes VIP Days on the road – heading out to a rural or remote part of the country and connecting with young people in different communities.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
Young people are referred to the VIP program through community service organisations. HoMie partners with a variety of organisations who work with people affected by or experiencing homelessness. These include housing providers, mental health services, youth justices services, AOD services and others. To support HoMie, shop their collections online and in-store.
Contact details:
Laura Jarrett | laurajarrett@tidepr.co | 0422 240 890
