The Greater Building Society and one of Australia's leading welfare organisations-Wesley Mission-have joined forces in a unique project to raise funds for services in the Hunter.

Homes for Hope is a community based project where homes are built utilising donations including land, materials, building labour, and furnishings and then sold on the retail market.

Previous Homes for Hope projects included the pilot project at Kellyville, NSW which raised more than $530,000 and from there the concept flourished and to date Wesley Mission has completed 12 homes raising over $2.5 million to support Wesley Mission Services.

Their current project is in the Glendore Estate, Marylands where three homes are currently being built with Wincrest Homes as the builder. The proceeds from the sale of the homes, anticipated to be $100,000, will remain in Newcastle supporting Newcastle City Mission's youth programmes.

Assistant General Manager, Don Magin, said that Greater was extremely proud to be associated with Homes for Hope and their chosen beneficiary Newcastle City Mission.

"Their programs supporting the Youth of the Hunter are very important and require funding to ensure that they continue with assisting the people who need it the most," he said.

"The Greater understands the importance of being an active corporate citizen and we acknowledge the changes that Newcastle City Mission has achieved with the young people who have participated in their programs."

The Best Options Youth Mentoring program works with at risk students in the Lake Macquarie area. More than 80 trained volunteer mentors have worked with students at risk of leaving school early.

Regional Manager of Newcastle City Mission Lynlee Eather said of the 88 students participating in the program, 80 were continuing their education, had entered a training program, or had found work due to their mentor's guidance.

Mr Magin said the Greater was impressed by the effectiveness of the program and was pleased to be able to assist the Mission. "The Mission is reaching people who are at, or nearing, crisis point," he said. "Hopefully, with the assistance of our funding, the Mission will help transform the lives of these young people to realise their potential."