YACVic will deliver over $101,000 in round 13 of the HEY Grants funding to twelve organisations across metro Melbourne and regional Victoria, ensuring LGBTQIA+ young people from across the state have access to services that support and uplift them.

“I am proud that YACVic can stand with LGBTIQA+ young people and strengthen their identity, community connection and mental health”, said Head of YACVic Rural Derm Ryan, who manages the HEY program.

YACVic is also proud to continue support for some recurring projects such as ‘Voices of Us Ripples’, a platform by and for LGBTIQA+ young international students.

“This grant is quite significant for LGBTQIA+” young international students, emphasising the 'amplifying impact ripple effect'”, said the director of the project, Feifei Liao.

“Through 'Voices of Us Ripples,' the project empowers and brings LGBTQIA+ young international students, alumni and allies together, forging a holistic and supportive environment... amplifying voices to create a powerful ripple effect for community strengthening”, she said.

The successful Round 13 HEY Grant recipients are:

Youth Led category

  • So Let’s Affirm You (SLAY) project - $10,000

Social Connectedness category

  • City of Monash, Monash LGBTIQA+ Group - $6,770
  • headspace Mildura, Alphabet Soup = $10,000
  • Innovation Youth Centre, IYC Rainbow Group - $10,000
  • Knox City Council, Building, Strengthening and Promoting a Resilient LGBTIQA+ Community- $10,000
  • Maroondah City Council, Empowering Families - $5,000
  • Omni Insight, Transcending the Narrative - $5,000
  • Our Point 3 Incorporated, Voices of Us Ripples - $10,000
  • RMIT Training PTY LTD, Rainbow International Students Project - $10,000
  • The Mental Health Coach, Rainbow Youth Mental Health Support Program - $10,000
  • VicSRC, LGBTIQA+ Student Empowerment Project - $10,000
  • YMCA, Pride Tribe - $10,000

Now in its thirteenth year, the HEY Grants are awarded annually to both new and existing projects that promote the mental health and wellbeing of LGBTIQA+ young people.

To date the HEY Grants partnership between YACVic and the Victorian Government has delivered more than $1.5 million of funding to over 130 organisations.

The HEY Program is still one of only a small handful of programs funded specifically to address the mental health and wellbeing needs of LGBTIQA+ young people in Victoria.

Media Contact: Sarona Sagele (she/her), YACVic Projects Communications Officer – SSagele@YACVic.org.au or 0498 730 553.

About Youth Affairs Council Victoria (YACVic)

Youth Affairs Council Victoria (YACVic) is the peak body and leading policy advocate for young people aged 12-25 and the youth sector in Victoria. Established in 1960, YACVic advocates for the rights of young people in Victoria to ensure they are active, visible and valued in their communities.