Melbourne Australia has a character of it's own but underneath is a city like many others in the western world.

Many of the families who reside in the high-rises are continually unemployed and the children are often deprived of emotional support, love and basic care.

Aristotle once said that "Poverty is the parent of revolution and crime". There is no doubt that crime is on the increase in our society today. Poverty and drug usage coupled with a sense of hopelessness are the causes of most of this crime.

The children of the high-rises are often more exposed to the crime, violence and drug usage that is infesting our city. They rub shoulders with drug dealers and walk over used syringes in their playgrounds. Violence and crime are a normal part of their day-to-day life. Their choices for the future are based upon what they are exposed to on a daily basis.

Some children from the high-rises have a criminal record at the age of 10. Others have experimented with drugs by the time they're 15. For most of them, violence and crime are the only ways to solve their problems.

It is the goal of Operation STITCHES to reach out to these children in the hope of preventing them from becoming the criminals and drug users of tomorrow.

The absence of positive hope in their lives can offer them no other option but what they see around them.

Operation STITCHES brings them that hope!

The Operation STITCHES team demonstrates tolerance, encouragement, acceptance, fairness, forgiveness, honesty and security - inspiring young people to be patient, appreciative, to have faith in themselves and to give them hope for their future.

Help give Operation STITCHES the power to change more lives.

If you live in Melbourne, perhaps you would consider becoming an Operation STITCHES volunteer. There is always much to be done. Find out how you can help.