January 17, 2025
Kids Under Cover launches Reconciliation Action Plan

Kids Under Cover acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we work and live. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present. We are committed to creating a culturally safe environment within Kids Under Cover, where the values and cultural practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are respected and embedded throughout Kids Under Cover.
Our commitment to Reconciliation – launching our Reflect RAP
We are proud to launch Kids Under Cover’s Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). As we grow our partnerships with First Nations organisations and communities, we are committed to ensuring that our values and actions align with the principles of reconciliation.
The homelessness statistics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are concerning. In 2021 an estimated 24,930 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples were experiencing homelessness, a 6.4% increase from 2016. This statistic highlights the overrepresentation of First Nations peoples in homelessness, driven by systemic inequities, discrimination, racism, trauma and cultural safety challenges.
At Kids Under Cover, we recognise these challenges and are committed to addressing them. Our RAP is a step forward in building the relationships and trust necessary to support young people effectively.
As of January 2025, 24% of the young people living in our studios identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. In 2024, we launched a culturally tailored Village 21 model at Moorumbina Mongurnallin, in partnership with the Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency (VACCA).
This model provides stability and wraparound support services addressing the specific needs of young First Nations people. We also provided 75 scholarships to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, helping them access essential resources for education and training. We also have a two further Village 21 projects for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in regional Victoria which are currently in progress Yes, I will
On behalf of our board, staff and the communities we serve we thank Reconciliation Australia for their guidance in developing our first RAP and for their continued leadership in advancing reconciliation. We are committed to this journey and look forward to working alongside our First Nations partners to incorporate their wisdom into the work Kids Under Cover do.
Our RAP is more than a plan, it is a commitment to learning, growth and partnership as we work towards lasting change for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, particularly young people at risk of homelessness.
You can read the RAP below.