The Woden Education First Youth Foyer supports young people at risk of homelessness.
04 May 2026
In brief:
- The Woden Education First Youth Foyer has opened at CIT Woden.
- It houses up to 20 young people aged 16 to 24.
- It provides accommodation plus education, employment and wellbeing support to help build independence.
- Run by Marymead CatholicCare, it’s Canberra’s second youth foyer with strong outcomes for young people.
The new Woden Education First Youth Foyer (Woden EFY) is now open.
Located at CIT Woden campus, the foyer provides supported accommodation for up to 20 vulnerable young people.
More than just a home, the foyer offers important wrap-around services – all under one roof.
It is designed to help young people:
- complete their education
- graduate to independent living
- fully participate in the community and reach their potential.
Who can access the youth foyer?
The Woden Education First Youth Foyer is designed for people aged 16 to 24 who:
- are experiencing or at risk of homelessness
- want to engage with education.
Residents can stay for up to two years. While there, they can access culturally safe, evidence-based support to help build their independence. They do this through training, activities and opportunities.
Support covers six areas:
- education
- employment
- health and wellbeing
- social connections
- civic participation
- housing and living skills.
Who will run the youth foyer?
Marymead CatholicCare will operate the foyer, in partnership with:
- CIT
- the Brotherhood of St. Laurence
The project is jointly funded through the ACT and Australian Governments.
Key features
The brand-new facility offers:
- accommodation for 20 young people
- a mix of single-occupancy studios and apartments for single parents and their children
- two fully accessible rooms for residents with disabilities
- 24/7 support from trained Youth Development Coaches, providing one‑to‑one coaching to help students stay engaged in education, build independence and work toward their goals
- strong connections to education, employment and community networks that help students achieve their goals and transition into adulthood.
Training opportunities
The youth foyer provides a bridge to essential training and education. It creates opportunities to engage with the community and start a valuable career pathway.
Residents can access a Certificate I in Developing Independence (via CIT and the Brotherhood of St. Laurence).
This accredited course focuses on learning practical life skills including:
- goal setting
- navigating housing
- planning for work or further study.
How to access accommodation
Young people can contact FIRST Canberra, the ACT’s central intake service, by calling 1800 176 468.
They can also self-refer via the Marymead CatholicCare website.
Canberra’s second youth foyer
The Woden Education First Youth Foyer is the second in Canberra.
The Our Place Youth Foyer in Braddon supports up to 24 young people and is managed by Barnardos.
Youth foyers have a strong track record of helping young people who cannot live at home.
Across Australia, youth foyers have seen over 80% of young people exit into safe and stable housing. Four in five are engaged in education or employment when they leave.
Find out more about the Woden Education First Youth Foyer on the Marymead CatholicCare website.
Read more about youth foyers on the Foyer Foundation website.
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