08/06/08
Helping homeless back home
United Way Queensland and Gadens Lawyers are helping the homeless make the transition to independent living arrangements.
The “Transition to Independent Living Kits”, were handed over at the Brisbane Homelessness Services Centre (BHSC) during their annual Open Day, coinciding with National Homeless Persons Awareness Week, 4th to 8th August 2008.
United Way Queensland identified the need for “Transition to Independent Living Kits” within the broad range of homelessness issues and Gadens Lawyers was pleased to volunteer its assistance to make the project happen.
Paul Spiro, Managing Partner of Gadens Lawyers, said that collation of the kits and supporting new beginnings for the homeless was incredibly rewarding for all the Gadens staff involved.
“We’ve learned a lot about the reality of being homeless and the need to break the homelessness cycle in Brisbane. I am pleased that Gadens staff have had the opportunity to be involved in a very hands on, practical sense and make a difference to those in need,” he said.
The kits contain some of the basic items necessary to re-establish independent living for individuals and an increasing number of young families. Gadens Lawyers, a corporate partner of United Way Qld, took on the project as part of a team volunteering initiative and produced the packs which contain things such as crockery, cutlery, glasses, tea towels, pots and pans and other basic essentials.
Helen Styles, Micah Projects’ Housing and Community Liaison based at BHSC said that the packs will give many previously homeless families the great start they need to settle into a new, independent life.
“The experience of homelessness causes many families to lose the confidence in being able to maintain a safe, stable lifestyle. By providing them with a range of simple essentials, they have a better chance to establish a home, which is so important in creating stability.”
An estimated 1 in 200 Australians are considered homeless. They are not necessarily sleeping in the streets or on park benches. They could be sleeping on someone’s couch, or in a boarding house or refuge. They are women and children, young and old, families, single parents and even young professionals who appear to have it all. They have no security and no place to call home. They also do not have the possessions needed to set up a home even if one was available.
National Homeless Persons Week is an initiative of Homelessness Australia to highlight the diversity of people who are homeless or are at risk of becoming homeless and target the issues facing homeless people in Australia.
United Way is a global non-profit organisation that works to improve lives and create positive, long term social change in local communities. It achieves this by providing opportunities for businesses and individuals to support community organisations financially and through volunteering. It is based on the concept that united we can help each and every member of our community to live a fulfilling and dignified existence.
In 2007/08, United Way in Queensland distributed over $350,000 to improve lives across Queensland, as well as managing almost 2,000 hours of volunteer time for our corporate partners.
United Way Queensland identified the need for “Transition to Independent Living Kits” within the broad range of homelessness issues and Gadens Lawyers was pleased to volunteer its assistance to make the project happen.
Paul Spiro, Managing Partner of Gadens Lawyers, said that collation of the kits and supporting new beginnings for the homeless was incredibly rewarding for all the Gadens staff involved.
“We’ve learned a lot about the reality of being homeless and the need to break the homelessness cycle in Brisbane. I am pleased that Gadens staff have had the opportunity to be involved in a very hands on, practical sense and make a difference to those in need,” he said.
The kits contain some of the basic items necessary to re-establish independent living for individuals and an increasing number of young families. Gadens Lawyers, a corporate partner of United Way Qld, took on the project as part of a team volunteering initiative and produced the packs which contain things such as crockery, cutlery, glasses, tea towels, pots and pans and other basic essentials.
Helen Styles, Micah Projects’ Housing and Community Liaison based at BHSC said that the packs will give many previously homeless families the great start they need to settle into a new, independent life.
“The experience of homelessness causes many families to lose the confidence in being able to maintain a safe, stable lifestyle. By providing them with a range of simple essentials, they have a better chance to establish a home, which is so important in creating stability.”
An estimated 1 in 200 Australians are considered homeless. They are not necessarily sleeping in the streets or on park benches. They could be sleeping on someone’s couch, or in a boarding house or refuge. They are women and children, young and old, families, single parents and even young professionals who appear to have it all. They have no security and no place to call home. They also do not have the possessions needed to set up a home even if one was available.
National Homeless Persons Week is an initiative of Homelessness Australia to highlight the diversity of people who are homeless or are at risk of becoming homeless and target the issues facing homeless people in Australia.
United Way is a global non-profit organisation that works to improve lives and create positive, long term social change in local communities. It achieves this by providing opportunities for businesses and individuals to support community organisations financially and through volunteering. It is based on the concept that united we can help each and every member of our community to live a fulfilling and dignified existence.
In 2007/08, United Way in Queensland distributed over $350,000 to improve lives across Queensland, as well as managing almost 2,000 hours of volunteer time for our corporate partners.
