Altru is a charity redefining how society addresses social inequality.
Altru’s intention is to move awareness into action. Through their annual free outreach Altru Festival, they provide immediate, onsite access to essential services for people facing hardship. The event is a vibrant blend of music, connection, health services, job opportunities, and festival fun—a day to belong and celebrate the human beyond their adversity. Each guest is paired with a volunteer guide, forming meaningful connections designed to result in lasting change.
What can we expect from the Altru Festival in Melbourne this year?
Expect a powerful mix of music, community, and meaningful impact. Altru charity outreach Festival isn’t just about the music. It’s about creating a space where people facing hardship feel valued and supported. We’ve curated an incredible lineup of artists, but the real magic happens off-stage, where guests can access essential services like medical care, housing support, haircuts, and mental health services, all while being surrounded by a joyful, judgment-free and uplifting atmosphere. It’s a party with purpose.
What has been your biggest achievement thus far?
The biggest achievement has been seeing the tangible impact Altru has had on people’s lives. Hearing stories of guests who secured housing, found stable jobs, or received life-changing health support because of connections made at Altru is everything. It’s also been incredible to watch volunteers leave the festival transformed realizing that their time, unlocking empathy and action can truly make a difference. Seeing the ripple effect of compassion in action is the ultimate win.
How would you describe this event to someone that has never been? It’s a space where people facing hardship – many for the first time, including one-third of full-time workers struggling to make ends meet – can access real-time support and connection to ongoing care. All of this is blended with the kind of festival fun that isn’t always accessible to everyone- live music, face painting, new shoes, food trucks and those little extras that make a day feel special. It’s music, connection, and community—all working together to create real, positive change.
Tell us why you decided to start Altru
The idea for Altru charity and our outreach festival came while I was tutoring at-risk youth in Los Angeles. I realized that many of these incredible kids had never experienced something as simple as a birthday party – a day to be told, “We’re so grateful you exist.” That stuck with me. Everyone deserves to feel celebrated beyond their circumstances, so I wanted to create an event where joy and support go hand in hand. Altru is about restoring dignity and reminding people that they are valued and seen.
Q:What, or who, inspires you?
The guests I’ve met through the charity and our festival inspire me the most. One that stands out is Mike, who I met at the festival years ago. He had lost everything after a hit-and-run accident left him with a broken back and medically bankrupt. Despite having so little, he would host Sunday BBQs outside his tent to feed and bring his street community together. That level of generosity giving when you have almost nothing, completely shifted my perspective. Today, Mike has rebuilt his life and now rents out a house to help others transitioning out of homelessness. Acts of generosity big or small have the power to shift someone’s entire path. That resilience and compassion inspire me every day.
Why should people volunteer?
Because at the outreach festival, you see in real time where your dollar donation or time donation has gone in creating joy in someone else’s life. Hearing that a little girl just received her first pair of shoes that are hers, warms your soul. Volunteering means you’re not just part of the fun festival-you’re part of the solution.
What’s next for Altru?
The goal is to make Altru self-sustaining and bring it to more cities across Australia, while continuing our global ventures. We’re also working toward hosting a rural festival because regional communities face unique challenges and deserve the same level of support. Long-term, we hope events like Altru become unnecessary because the systems are in place to prevent hardship before it happens – but until then, we’ll keep building.
What’s your scene?
My scene is a good playlist, surrounded by my community, the people who make me feel inspired, seen and valued. Whether it’s a house party or a quiet night with friends, it’s about feeling connected and being part of something.
Are you interested in volunteering at Altru Fest? Find out more HERE
Altru Festival: Sunday March 23, 10-5 pm Atherton Reserve, Napier St, Fitzroy VIC 3065