About Us

Guided by an unwavering commitment to the dignity and individual needs of all, wayss is a safe and welcoming place that works to improve people’s lives. 

Taking a personalised approach, wayss listens, guides, and stands up for people at risk of family violence or homelessness and helps them navigate a path to safety. 

A longstanding member of the community based in the heart of the culturally diverse Southeast Region, we are well-connected and have deep expertise to deliver programs, support services and housing.

Our start in the 1970’s

Our organisation sprung to life in Westernport, Victoria in the 1970’s. A group of local women, proud activists and self-described rebels couldn’t look away from growing youth homelessness in the Bayside area. They decided to take action and lobbied the federal government for funding, opening Westernport Youth Refuge. And that’s how our “perfectly imperfect” organisation was born.

wayss continues to advocate for and support people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. 

And we’re growing. Our services have expanded from the original little white cottage in McClelland Street, to permanent and emergency accommodation and support services across Melbourne’s Bayside and Southeast region.

We’ve steadily built partnerships with federal and state governments, councils, courts, Victoria Police, developers, philanthropists and other not for profit services. Our vibrant and dedicated grassroots community continues to support us through economic downturns, housing crises and pandemics.

Our commitment and belief

Guided by an unwavering commitment to the dignity and individual needs of all, wayss is a safe and welcoming place that works to improve lives. We take a personalised approach, we listen and guide and help them navigate a path to safety. We stand for people, advocate for funding, legislative changes, and support people facing or a risk of family violence and homelessness.

Our fundamental belief that having a safe home and freedom from discrimination and is a human right – this belief has not wavered since we opened our doors and will never change