Victoria University (VU) and Westjustice have today announced a new partnership to deliver meaningful social impact and new economic opportunities for the people of Melbourne's west.
As part of the new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), VU and Westjustice have agreed to work together to drive impact, including the co-ordination of advocacy and delivery on shared priorities in youth wellbeing, student employment and social inclusion such as:
- The Wyndham Community Services Hub and greater alignment with VU's Werribee Campus
- Co-delivering place-based community programs that create pathways to employment and respond to local needs
- Enhancing student engagement through structured learning placements, input into course design, and employment outcomes across a range of disciplines, including law, youth work, financial counselling, social work, data/IT.
VU and Westjustice are well-known progressive organisations that work for and service the community of Melbourne's west. The new partnership builds on the collaborative, integrated service model of both organisations. Westjustice is proud to be led by its clients in designing its services and advocacy priorities and VU is a partnering university, committed to inclusion, opportunity and success - enriching both lives and careers.
Quotes attributable to Melissa Hardham, CEO of Westjustice
"Westjustice is proudly community-led in our programs and in our advocacy. This partnership delivers what the west does best, working together to innovate, advocate and deliver better outcomes for our people.
"Westjustice and VU have a long-standing history together, that over time has become multidimensional where we are both the funders and funded, the advisors and the recipients of advice, the experts and the ones receiving the expertise. Today we make this official, driven by a commitment to social and economic outcomes for the people of Melbourne's West. "
Quotes attributable to Professor Adam Shoemaker, Vice-Chancellor, Victoria University
"Melbourne's west is rapidly growing. Its population is young, extremely diverse, and full of potential. Our job, through partnerships such as this, is to unlock this potential - through care, purpose and working together to drive change.
"Culturally safe and inclusive services have never been more important, and access to justice, education and support services is key to a fair future."
