Philanthropy – A Way To Change The World
Susan Barton

SUSAN BARTON (AM) IS A REVOLUTIONARY AUSTRALIAN LEADER IN THE AREA OF BABIES, CHILDREN, AND YOUTH HOMELESSNESS.

Susan is well-known and highly awarded for her intelligent, compassionate and replicable approach towards restoring disadvantaged babies, children and youth into their rightful place in society.

An insightful author and driver of change in the area of youth homelessness, Susan co-authored ‘Build your Teenager’s Self Esteem’ (2000) and ‘Therapeutic Residential Care for Children: An Attachment and Trauma-Informed Model for Practice’ (2011).

Susan’s book features a foreword by former Human Rights Commissioner, Prof Brian Burdekin, urging Australian governmental bodies, academics, companies and societal leaders to pay attention to the ground-breaking work of the Lighthouse Foundation. The book reveals an incredible amount of research and hands-on experience collated over the past 30 years.

SUSAN BELIEVES THAT CARING FOR CHILDREN IS EVERYBODY’S BUSINESS:

Susan leads a devoted team of experts in babies, children and youth care and rehabilitation, who work daily with babies, children and young people forced to leave their family home because of physical, emotional or mental abuse, drugs or alcohol. Susan’s team recognises that these young traumatised babies, children and youth are among the most vulnerable in our society.

Susan’s message is clear: a traumatised child does not need a ‘house’ as much as they need a ‘home’ – a place of belonging where they feel cared for and honoured physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. And her motto is equally clear: Caring for children is everyone’s business.

Susan believes that homelessness affects all of us in society and, together, we can work to alleviate and ultimately end it. The longer we allow our young people to fall through the cracks, the longer we as a community are poorer for it. The health of any society should be judged by how we treat the most vulnerable amongst us. Susan encourages all of us to work together to end babies, children and youth homelessness.

Susan’s mission is to change the way Australia looks at the issue and consequences of babies, children and youth homelessness moving towards a more therapeutic approach on their journey to recovery. She is passionate about protecting Australia’s number one resource – our children and our youth.

Become a Lighthouse Keeper

Help end children and youth homelessness in Australia as a demonstration to the global community on how this can be achieved by becoming a Lighthouse Keeper. Many have started as Money & You graduates and signed on to support us leaving their mark.

What is a Lighthouse Keeper? They are a very special group of supporters who give a donation every month which keeps the ‘lights burning brightly’ in all our homes. Becoming a Lighthouse Keeper simply means an amount of your choosing is automatically deducted from your nominated bank account or credit card monthly and donated to Lighthouse. This regular, automatic donation is secure and can be changed, updated, paused, or canceled at any time. A receipt is sent for tax purposes at the end of each financial year. Whilst many of us are fortunate enough to have things like fresh groceries and electricity at the snap of our fingers, it is sometimes easy to take them for granted. Prior to our care, some of our young people did not know where their next meal was coming from or when it would come. By becoming a regular donor, you are ensuring there is consistency and stability in their life. You yourself will play an intrinsic part in providing a nurturing and safe place for our kids to grow. The ongoing support from our Lighthouse Keepers enables us to plan ahead and continue the vital life-changing work we do every day. It ensures that we can be there for vulnerable children and young people for years to come in the future.

Here’s how to become one.

Awards
• Australia Day Committee – Certificate of Appreciation for outstanding contribution to community – (1990)
• Tattersalls’ Award for Enterprise & Achievement (1994)
• Victoria Day Award – For Community and Public Service (July 2000)
• Rotary club of Melbourne’s Vocational Service Award – For outstanding services to the Victorian community (2002)
• Stonnington Citizen of the Year for Youth – awarded (June 2002)
• Member of The Order of Australia – AM (awarded June 2002)
• Rotary Foundation of Rotary International Paul Harris Fellowship (2002)
• Australian of the Year Awards 2003, Victoria Awards Finalist (2003)
• Centenary Medal. For contribution to Australian Society. Awarded by the Governor-General to mark achievement at the commencement of the 21st century (2003)
• Tattersall’s Centennial Award for Enterprise & Achievement 2004
• Melburnian of the Year Award 2009
• SACS Consulting Award for Leadership in the Not for Profit Sector 2011. Awarded for contribution and leadership within your organisation and the community – Executive Winner
• Brainlink Women of Achievement – 2011 Winner
• Victorian Honour Roll of Women – Inducted 6 March 2012 in recognition of her significant achievements and contribution to the Victorian community
• Australian of the Year Awards, Victorian Awards Finalist (2012)
• Human Rights Medal Finalist – For outstanding contribution to the advancement of human rights in Australia 2012
• Body & Soul Extra-ordinary Women Awards – Winner for Compassion 2014
• Robin Clark Memorial Awards 2014 Inspirational leadership in the field award – Highly Commended 2014
• The Australian Financial Review and Westpac 100 Women of Influence Award Winner – Philanthropy 2014
• Beth Thompson Lifetime Achievement – awarded by CHP 2015
Organisational
• Australian Humanitarian Award, Category – Education (1998)
• National Australia Bank Victorian State Award for Community Service (1998)
• Victoria Day Award – For Community and Public Service (2006)
• Victorian Children’s Charities Award for exception dedication to working with children and young people – Social Disadvantage (2006)
• Bachelor of Public Health and Health Promotion certificate of appreciation – Deakin University (2006)
• Unity Foundation Reconciliation Award -Contribution to Indigenous youth award (2007)

Recognition

Named among Australia’s influential women in “Top 100 Educators 2012” International Biographical Centre, Cambridge, England

Inclusion in seventh edition “2000 Outstanding Intellectuals of the 21st century 2013” – Melrose Press’s International Biographical Centre

Victorian Honour Roll of Women – Inducted 6 March 2012 in recognition of her significant achievements and contribution to the Victorian community

…