Options work intensively with young people during the first three months in the program to ensure you get off to a good start in your tenancy. You will meet weekly with your Caseworker in the first month, fortnightly in the second month, and at least once a month from the third month and beyond. You will do some cooking, some cleaning, and set some goals within the first month. This will give you a great opportunity to get to build a relationship with your Caseworker and for them to build a great relationship with you. If things are happening in your life that make you want or need more casework, you can negotiate increased contact
It is an essential requirement that all young people within the Options program be working, studying, or volunteering for a minimum of 14 hours per week. Your Caseworker will be able to help you to identify other opportunities for work or study to ensure you remain eligible for the program and to ensure that you keep moving towards greater independence.
We recognise that it can be incredibly hard to maintain work, study, or volunteering when you are homeless or at risk of homelessness. If this is the case for you, we want to make sure that you have a plan to work, study, or volunteer, and that you will take action to commence working, studying, or volunteering once stabilised in safe accommodation. Your Caseworker will work closely with you to ensure you have some form of work, study, or volunteering in place within one month of entering the program.
Sometimes conflict can arise. That’s a normal part of life. We expect that you will try and work through the issue with your housemate in a mature and respectful way and that you will make sure that everyone feels safe. The Options team are available to help manage conflict if required and it is our expectation that you will work with us to help resolve the issues. If the issue cannot be resolved, external mediation may be required.
Options has a zero-tolerance approach to violence. Violence includes physical or psychological harm, and where this occurs, it will result in the young person’s tenancy being ended.
Options accepts some donations including whitegoods and other furnishings; please reach out prior to ensure we have storage available. We do accept bedding, clothing, cookware, and other non-perishables as long as they are brand new.
If you would like to make a monetary donation to Options, the funds you provide will be used to purchase whitegoods, household furnishings and other food or material aid where needed. This ensures that the young people we support have the essential household items that they require and deserve. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. 100% of donated funds go directly toward items that benefit the clients of the program.
