About us

For over 48 years, Caretakers Cottage has been caring and nurturing thousands of homeless kids in crisis, giving them hope and teaching them the skills they need to succeed.

At Caretakers Cottage we work to facilitate a positive and sustainable change into our young people’s lives. Our mission is to help disadvantaged young people grow up successfully. We believe every child has the right to thrive. We believe our community becomes stronger because of the work we do and the generosity of our supporters.

View our strategic plan

Our mission

Caretakers Cottage is dedicated to helping kids in crisis, and teaching them the skills they need to succeed. It all started when Caretakers founded one of the very first youth refuges in New South Wales, and in time, helping to complete transform the way society cares for homeless youth. Caretakers Cottage provides a comprehensive approach to youth homelessness, assisting young people and their families through times of crisis.

We rely on the dedication of our staff, our board and our community to make this work possible.

 

Our Mission
To be a recognised and trusted leader providing a safe, client centred environment to empower children and young people to realise their full potential.

Our Vision
Supporting children, youth and families to thrive ~ be heard, be happy

Our Values
Self Determination | Independence | Quality Relationships

 

Our story

Our story began with a teen Drop-in-Centre, a guest house and finally a Youth Refuge. Laurie and Sara Matthews, together with the help of their family and local community, established what would become one of the very first Youth Refuges in New South Wales.

Since opening those early beginnings, Caretakers Cottage has helped thousands of young people – residential and non-residential – find a safe place to live and build a better future.

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Our Programs

Caretakers Crisis Refuge

The Caretakers Cottage Youth Refuge is located in Bondi and houses up to 10 young people between 13 and 17 years old.

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Options Youth Support

Options has a strong focus on working towards independence from the social welfare system.

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Entity Permanency Support

Entity provides 4 places for young people aged from 12 to 17 years old in a house that runs similarly to a family home.

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safer pathway

Safer Pathways

Safer Pathway is a NSW Government program that supports male victim-survivors of domestic and family violence across NSW.

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EVERY BIT HELPS!

A small donation can really help our organisation make a huge difference in a young persons life.

PHONE 02 9389 0999
Our programs
Contact us

  • Caretakers Cottage acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of this land and honour their enduring connections to Country, knowledge and stories. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities today.

  • We welcome lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender diverse and non-binary, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) people at all of our services. We pledge to provide inclusive and non-discriminatory services.

©2026 Caretakers Cottage
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