A women’s residential rehabilitation centre has officially opened in Mount Duneed. 

The House of Hope, an initiative of Foundation 61, is funded with $1.5 million from the federal government and more than $800,000 through donations and community grants.

The centre is only the second of its kind in Victoria and a first for regional Victoria. It is expected that 50 women and women with children will use the facility per year and will be supported to develop life skills, coping strategies and recovery plans in line with an enhanced sense of well-being and improved health free from addiction.

While situated in Mount Duneed, the service will be available to those living outside of the immediate area and draw participants from across Victoria.

Foundation 61 director Rob Lytzki and his wife Caroline founded the nearby men’s residential rehabilitation centre, Restoration House, 17 years ago and have helped hundreds of local people with drug and alcohol dependence.

One of the great stories about the House of Hope project has been the involvement of Restoration House participants in the construction as part of their rehabilitation program. 

The Restoration House Rehabilitation Program includes elements of workforce readiness, and as part of that many of the men have worked up to 8 hours per week as volunteers on site applying their trade skills or offering labour. 

Over 60 participants have been involved over the last 3 years and Foundation 61 has directly employed 7 former participants on completion of their rehabilitation program to work on the House of Hope project. 

Comments attributable to Federal Member for Corangamite, Libby Coker:

“I’m so proud to announce the opening of Foundation 61’s House of Hope which will provide much-needed care for women managing addiction issues.

“Our community have made an incredible contribution to this project, with Foundation 61 raising more than $800,000, whilst local businesses and NGOs have donated furniture and their time to fit out the centre.