As a result of an arts grant from the City of Melbourne, the Open Family Youth Outreach Bus Volunteer group decided to produce a creative, youth-driven short film with street frequenting young people accessing the Chatterbox Bus.
This project was undertaken in collaboration with industry professionals, including a 5 day workshop held in February and filmed during March/April 2008 in various locations in Melbourne. The industry professionals who lead the workshop provided a structure for the project, as well as providing constructive advice and mentoring, while enabling the budding filmmakers drive their own creative process. In a conscious effort to avoid another ‘sad tale’, the short film being produced is a creative piece instead of a true documentary. This is in line with Open Family Australia’s ethos and helps avoid any exploitation of young people and their often complicated lives.
The project featured on the ABC’s Australian Story 26th May 2008 as part of a piece on Samuel Johnson, esteemed Australian actor.
The short film is in the final stages of completion and we are looking forward to premiering the film shortly.
Mum and I were fighting all the time and it wasn’t a happy place for me anymore. I had told Mum that one of her relatives had sexually abused me. I don’t know why but she didn’t believe me. I think that is what hurt me the most – I’m her daughter and she is supposed to protect me but when I finally got up the courage to tell her what had been going on, she turned her back on me.
In 2007, Open Family Australia secured funding through the Property Industry Foundation for the refurbishment and fit out for a mobile youth outreach service for Sydney. Recognising that Sydney's CBD is well catered for by other agencies, Open Family Australia decided to launch this service into Sydney's western suburbs, frequenting hot spots in the Warwick Farm, Liverpool and Fairfield regions. 
The Melbourne Chatterbox operates three nights a week in Melbourne's CBD and inner suburbs. The service is manned by a team of volunteers headed up by Open Family Australia's Volunteer Coordinator and Chatterbox Volunteer Committee. The service has been operational in Melbourne since 2002 and is proudly supported by Cabrini Health, the Tattersalls Foundation and PFD Foods.
Our recycled boutique stocks a large range of quality women's, men's and children's clothing and accessories as well as books and bric 'a' brac.
Open Family Australia works in Victoria and NSW, providing Outreach support to young people at risk in these communities. 
Assertive Outreach is a model that offers youth focused services to street frequenting young people in the environments where they congregate. This model of providing comprehensive ongoing support in all aspects of a young person’s life, rather than just concentrating on one issue is successful, as it provides the young person with support from a worker who is available for all their needs and who also works to integrate them into mainstream society.
