Celebrating 30 Years

Kids Under Cover has been working for 30 years to prevent youth homelessness. We support vulnerable and disadvantaged young people between the ages of 12 and 25 years who are either already homeless or at risk of homelessness.

In 1989 the federal government released “Our Homeless Children – Report of the National Inquiry into Homeless Children” by Brian Burdekin. The disturbing findings moved our founder, Ken Morgan OAM, to raise the funds to build a house for homeless young mothers. This coupled with Ken’s passion to increase the support offered to young people facing homelessness instigated the birth of Kids Under Cover.

We are the only not-for-profit organisation in Australia delivering the unique combination of studio accommodation (placed in backyards) and education scholarships as a practical and proven strategy in preventing youth homelessness. It is our mission to provide young people at risk of homelessness the foundations to strengthen their connection to family, community, and education and make a lasting difference in their lives.

To go on a virtual journey through 30 years of Kids Under Cover and learn how four walls can prevent youth homelessness, visit our Wonder Walls Hub.

30th Anniversary Portrait Photo Exhibition

For 30 years, Kids Under Cover has been supported by a range of diverse and generous people who share our vision of a community where no young person experiences homelessness. Our 30th Anniversary Portrait Photo Exhibition honours this by showcasing people who represent all of our different supporter groups.

Launching last Thursday night to a sold-out crowd at Cargo Hall, the exhibition is currently on display in the foyer of 567 Collins St, Melbourne until Friday 16 August 2019. The exhibition can be viewed Monday to Friday, 7am until 7pm. 

About the photographer:

An award-winning and renowned Melbourne photographer for close to 30 years, Mercury Megaloudis has been partnered with Kids Under Cover since 2006, donating countless hours of his time photographing our organisation and our work, providing visual insights into the power of prevention. Mercury’s idea for this exhibition came about five years ago when he expressed a desire to showcase Kids Under Cover’s 30-year journey visually, combining his signature style of photography with his ability to capture the personalities of the individuals being photographed.

Porter Davis was announced as Gold Partners back in 2012 and have been unwavering in their support ever since. Every single year, Porter Davis has, not only, funded a studio for a young person but their team have rolled up their sleeves and assisted with its construction, as part of our Corporate Build program. Porter Davis represents the hundreds of companies who have donated funds, goods and services over the past 30 years. Thank you.

A much-loved part of our team, Franceen has been volunteering with Kids Under Cover since 2009. Her can-do attitude means she’ll do whatever needs doing, from organising donor receipt mailouts to preparing a lavish, delicious and usually themed lunches for all the staff! Franceen represents all the individuals who have volunteered their time to help Kids Under Cover over the past 30 years. Thank you.

Genevieve’s support of Kids Under Cover dates to 2004 during her 13-year tenure as Portland House Foundation’s CEO. Gen and her team administered much-needed grants to Kids Under Cover, totalling $2.5m to date. She is representing the long list of philanthropic partners who have funded our core programs over the past 30 years. Thank you.

Cara was Kids Under Cover’s first CSO member, managing our house for young women in Doveton. As the CEO of Cara for 25 years, Robyn has made an outstanding difference to the lives of countless traumatized and vulnerable young women through her compassion and tenacity in setting them on the right path. She represents the 65 CSO members who do an incredible job case managing the families and young people for whom Kids Under Cover provides studios and scholarships.

In 2003 Kids Under Cover gained considerable community support following Molly Meldrum’s unforgettable $500,000 win on the TV show “Who Wants to be a Millionaire”. The subsequent donation was allocated to a new housing project in Melbourne’s south-east and Molly was acknowledged as a Patron. Thank you

Our staff are the lifeblood of Kids Under Cover without whom we could not provide our life-changing programs to at-risk young people. Staff represent all those people who have contributed to Kids Under Cover over the last 30 years. Thank you.