Gateway to a better life

Twenty-five years and counting.  That’s how long Life-Gate has been helping individuals and families in crisis across Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula, and the Rev Angel Roldán says there’s still much to be done.

Mr Roldán and his wife, Pastor Ulli Rothstein de Roldán, support, counsel and feed some of the region’s most vulnerable people, from the homeless to those with drug and alcohol addictions, victims of domestic violence, at-risk youth and more. 

In July, Life-Gate opened its award-winning Colour of Hope Youth Art Exhibition at Cube 37 Gallery in Frankston. On August 1, the exhibition moved to Karingal Hub and Star Zone to run for a further two weeks.  The exhibition was launched in 2012 as a way of engaging at-risk youth and teaching them valuable life skills. On Australia Day this year, it was named Frankston Council’s 2016 Community Event of the Year.

Life-Gate is also well known for its long-standing Friday night food van at Frankston station. This Street Outreach initiative provides food for disadvantaged families, those living rough, troubled youth and more. 

For the past 12 months, Mr Roldán has also been raising awareness through the media about the drug situation and the urgent need for government authorities to employ preventative, educational strategies, and also the need for mandatory drug rehabilitation in order to stop the ice epidemic.

Mr Roldán said the demand for crisis support was growing. “We are looking to expand because the needs are increasing,” he said. “There’s more drug use, more of everything and we really need more people and more resources to cope with that demand.”

To help, visit www.life-gate.org, phone 9770 0595 or email [email protected]