Earlier this year the Honourable Linda Dessau AC, Governor of Victoria and Odyssey House Victoria’s Patron, opened the new Odyssey House Victoria Child and Family Centre.
The newly constructed Child and Family Centre completes the Therapeutic Community’s family complex at Lower Plenty, which comprises three 12 bed family units, a community centre and the child and family centre.
Residents made all of the mud bricks for the family complex and were involved in the initial design of the complex. The inclusion of families in Odyssey House Victoria programs has been at the forefront of the organisation’s work.
Breaking down barriers by creating family friendly spaces for parents to undergo treatment and have their children with them means there are no additional burdens on the family. It also makes residential treatment appropriate and accessible to parents and their children and those working on family reunification.
The Child and Family Centre was made a reality thanks to a number of supporters, including Gandel Foundation, the Merrin Foundation, the Jennifer Hutchins Charitable Fund and The John and Annie Paterson Foundation.
Pictured at the opening (l-to-r): Bruce Hartnett AM, Chair of Odessy House, The Honourable Linda Dessau AC, Governor of Victoria, Anthony Howard QC, the Governor’s husband, Barry Fradkin OAM, Trustee of Gandel Foundation and Stefan Gruenert, CEO of Odyssey House.