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Last Week's Evening Meeting 8 October 25

Event MC:          Deb Yin Foo,

Chair:                  President Philip Cornish

Guest Speaker: Stephanie (Steph) Say, CEO HoMie; her topic: How Streetwear is Combatting Youth Homelessness

Like most of our Monthly Evening conversations, the emphasis is on fellowship and the meeting format is informal.

Our meeting on 8 October 2025 was hosted by Phillips Ormonde Fitzpatrick (POF), Deb Yin Foos’ employer for more than 30 years.

Guests included Andrew Massie (POF Managing Partner) welcomed us all and spoke briefly about the firms area of focus about POF, which specialises in Patents, Trade Marks and Intellectual Property Law and several potential new members.

Steph’s origins are South Australian where she developed strong experience as a journalist with Fairfax media, Marketing Management with Port Adelaide Football Club, Communications and partnerships Manager at the Big Issue and Chief Marketing Officer at the Reach foundation.  She joined HoMie Clothing as CEO in September 2023.

Steph delivered an entertaining and inspiring presentation on the work of HoMie.  We learned that

• Established in 2015
• Has provided impactful assistance to nearly 4,000 young people
• Through their Programs, HoMie annually gifts over 1000 items of brand-new HoMie clothing to young people affected by homelessness or hardship
• Disadvantaged young people have worked over 22,879+ hours of paid retail employment at the HoMie store or with HoMie-trained partners (Champion, Nike, Sportsgirl).
• HoMie manufacture quality street wear, such as Hoodies, t-shirs, sweaters - there products are competitive with Commercial retailers
• Their point of difference is that they are a social enterprise donating their surplus income to their support for homeless and disadvantage young people
• They have built a reputation for providing rigorous training through their Retail Ready program providing paid, supported 10-week work experience program to young people aged 18-25 affected by homelessness or hardship.
• HoMie’s VIP Days where young people are welcomed into their store to shop for free HoMie garments, while enjoying haircuts, beauty services, personal care packs, and lunch with the HoMie team.
• The HoMie Pathway Alliance their own accredited retail education and employment program for young people (18-25) affected by homelessness or hardship.
• HoMie has been delighted at the runaway success of their AFL licensed merchandise program.
  
  
  
• Steph explained that HoMie’s services are 70% self-funded and 30% supported by philanthropy and they aim to be 100% self-reliant
• She spoke about the challenges and unexpected support (e.g. a Premium CBD Store, provided to them at heavily discounted rent and fully fitted out at very low cost
• Retailing is highly competitive, and they have to be businesslike in running their programs

It was clear from the Q&A that Steph’s presentation on HoMie’s work was inspirational.
Here are some current stats on HoMie’s impact:

3,712 Young people supported
14,402 Items of clothing gifted
84% Remain employed or in further education
22,879+ Hours of paid employment.

President Philip then closed the meeting reminding members that next week’s lunchtime meeting on Wednesday 15 October at No35, Sofitel on Collins will feature the annual Vocational Service Award to Andrew Mahar AM, Social Entrepreneur, founder Infoexchange and East Timor advocate.  Our next Evening Conversation is planned for Tuesday 12^th November for a gathering of Kindness led by the HUSH Foundation.  Details will be announced shortly.

There is no video recording of this event