PRESS RELEASE: Bridge of Hope Foundation Launches ‘Bridging the Gap’ Initiative, Championing Support for Young Women Transitioning to Independent Living with Substantial Backing from GJK Facility Services George Stamas”

THE BRIDGING THE GAP INITIATIVE WAS ESTABLISHED TO SUPPORT YOUNG WOMEN TRANSITIONING FROM OUT-OF-HOME CARE TO INDEPENDENT LIVING.
Leaving the care system at 18 or 21 years old often means being thrust into an uncertain world with insufficient support. Many young women find themselves in unfamiliar hotels for up to 10 days, lacking proper identification to open a bank account, and consequently missing out on vital welfare systems, including Centrelink, Medicare, and the ATO. This leaves them vulnerable to homelessness, mental health struggles, criminal offenses, early parenthood, and substance abuse.

Recognising the urgency of this issue, the Bridging the Gap initiative was established to support these young women in transitioning from Out-of-Home care to independent living. The Bridge of Hope Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation founded by John Walsh in 2002, is the driving force behind this initiative. The foundation collaborates with young women and their care teams to develop personalised support plans that encompass practical and emotional skills needed for adult life.

The support plan addresses systemic shortfalls in independent living skills, social and financial resources, employment preparation and retention, as well as health and wellbeing. The Bridging the Gap initiative encompasses various programs, including the Leaving Care Program, L2P Driving Program, Mental and General Health Program, Legal Advice and Representation, and Careers Program.

GJK Facility Services, a dedicated supporter of the Bridge of Hope and its initiatives, recently took a significant step in amplifying their impact by contributing $20,000 to the Bridging the Gap initiative. This donation will play a crucial role in providing essential resources, mentorship, and support to young women in their journey towards independent living.
George Stamas AM Founder & Managing Director of GJK Facility Services, is not only a Board member but also deeply invested in making a positive difference in the lives of vulnerable individuals. By aligning with the Bridge of Hope, GJK Facility Services has showcased its dedication to fostering social change, reducing barriers, and offering hope to those in need.

The commitment to philanthropy is ingrained in GJK Facility Services’ ethos, with the Bridging the Gap initiative being just one aspect of their broader Giving Back Program. Through collaborative partnerships and volunteer support, GJK Facility Services aims to create a meaningful impact on the lives of those facing adversity.

As a responsible corporate citizen, GJK Facility Services understands the role businesses play in positively impacting change within communities. By supporting initiatives like Bridging the Gap, we aim not only to address immediate challenges but also to contribute to the long-term well-being and success of the most at-risk members of society.

In a world where corporate responsibility is becoming increasingly significant, GJK Facility Services’ $20,000 donation is a testament to the power of businesses to drive positive change. It is a beacon of hope for young women facing the daunting prospect of independent living and a reminder that, with collective efforts, we can bridge the gap and empower futures.
George Stamas AM encourages Corporations to get behind Charities like this to help Women and Youth in need .

Bridging The Gap Story
While researching The Bridge Foundation — a professional, psychologist-driven support project at Fulham Prison in Victoria — our founder John Walsh learned that high numbers of young offenders found themselves in the adult prison system within 5 years of exiting the youth justice system.
50%
of youth offenders are likely to enter the adult system within 5 years of release
62%
of young people entering the youth justice system had come from Out-of-Home care
60%
of young people leaving Out-of-Home care did not have a leaving home care plan, despite this being a statutory requirement
Shocked by these alarming statistics, John changed the charity name from the Bridge Foundation to the Bridge of Hope Foundation and developed a business plan to form a working executive committee and position appropriate governance protection enabling the implementation of real and necessary change.
Timeline.
2002
Under the name of The Bridge Foundation, the initiative commenced as a professional psychologist-driven support project in Fulham Prison, Victoria.
The charity changed its name to the Bridge of Hope Foundation Inc. (BoH) and commenced an extensive research program.
2006
2008
The BoH management structure was positioned and the Round Table Advisory Group — a think-tank focussing on preventing young people stepping from Out-of-Home care into youth justice and the adult prison system — was established.
The BoH Innocence Initiative was established in partnership with RMIT University to investigate claim of wrongful conviction and work to achieve the exoneration and release of the convicted innocent.
2013
2014
The research results from the Round Table group helped to establish a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Department of Human Services (DHS) to establish a BoH learner driver program at Malmsbury Youth Detention Centre. This was endorsed by the Youth Parole Board, TAC, VicRoads and Toyota.
The BoH Innocence Initiative Reference Group was established — led by a group of influential specialists across law, welfare and human rights — to investigate merit based cases, work to exonerate the factually innocent and drive systemic change to help prevent wrongful conviction.
A BoH L2P Learner Driver Program commenced at the Malmsbury Youth Detention Facility.
BoH Miscarriages of Justice Forum was conducted at RMIT.
2015
2016
The Victorian Commissioner for Children and Young people asked BoH if it would establish a program to support the needs of vulnerable young women as they were exiting Out-of-Home care.
Considerable research highlighted real and concerning issues faced by these young women.
The BoH Bridging the Gap Program was established with focus on vulnerable young women from Out-of-Home care.
Kids in Care: A Human Rights Travesty forum occurred, sponsored by NAB, Pitcher Partners and RMIT.
The BoH Miscarriages of Justice Working Group was established.
2017
2018
The Bridging the Gap Reference Group was established — comprising of a group of specialists across academia, welfare, justice and human rights — to create common sense formulas addressing the plight of vulnerable young women.
The NAB, Births, Deaths and Marriages and other organisations agreed to support the BoH Bridging the Gap initiative.
2019
2020
The BoH Miscarriages of Justice Working Group was renamed the BoH Miscarriages of Justice Advocacy Group, with expanded focus to include social justice matters.
The BoH Speakers Bureau ‘Community Connectors’ was developed.
New BoH Constitution was enacted.

Meet our
Principal
Co-patrons.
Our patrons are key influencers with vast skills, experience and a shared goal to champion the BoH mission. Their passion is to give hope and make a real difference in the lives of the young and the vulnerable.