Aussie Charity Wins Global Media Award

Melbourne-based charity Youth Projects has been awarded second prize in a field of 138 world-wide entries in the international quest to find the best Not for Profit story.

The award, by global technology company, TechSoup, recognises excellence in digital story telling as a vital tool for charities to communicate their impact and work to new donors and supporters.

The award winning clip is shot entirely on location in the heart of Melbourne in iconic Hosier Lane, home to Youth Projects free medical clinic for the homeless, The Living Room.

At the award ceremony in San Francisco, Youth Projects was awarded second place for “best video”.

Youth Projects Chairman, Melanie Raymond, says the hard-hitting clip has been praised for not “sugar coating” the issues of youth homelessness.

“Judges praised the personal honesty and said it left them chilled,” she said.

“We’ve been working with disadvantaged young people for 30 years and the problems are not changing. We need better community awareness about the depth of the problem and the complex responses needed to intervene.”

“As the clip states, ‘nobody grows up wanting to be a drug addict’ but that is what is happening in the world’s most liveable city.

“The video was made entirely through the pro-bono efforts of advertising industry leaders Grant Booker and Toby Towell, worth around $250,000.

 “Booker and Towell nailed the brief and wanted to tell a compelling story about the awesome work that we do that had not been recognised.

“For our local organisation to be among the world’s best is a tribute to our supporters, and staff in delivering on a difficult job” Raymond said.

View the clip here