The funds raised will go directly towards Anglicare Southern Queensland’s Beenleigh project that will deliver up to 30 apartments for homeless young people aged 16-25 by late 2025.
With the end of the financial year approaching, Anglicare Southern Queensland is calling on the public to open their hearts and wallets for the organisation’s annual tax appeal, which aims to raise donations towards supporting young people experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness.
The Beenleigh project will provide much-needed housing relief to an increasingly growing group of Australians, according to Anglicare Southern Queensland Chief Executive Officer Sue Cooke.
“At Anglicare Southern Queensland, we are committed to doing all that we can to alleviate the housing pressures amongst this cohort of young people,” Cooke said. “We know that with stable housing and the right support network, young people can positively change their life trajectory by securing employment, education, and long-term housing.”
Recent Social Futures data revealed that more than 43,000 children and youth presented to a housing service in 2023-24 across Australia, with more than half reporting being turned away from a crisis shelter or refuge due to limited capacity.
“With homelessness rates rising amongst young people, we know that there is insufficient accommodation and wrap-around support available to connect them to services to achieve long-term housing outcomes and opportunities for a brighter future,” Cooke highlighted. “Our Beenleigh project is a modern facility that will not only provide much-needed accommodation to young people but will also provide them with a range of vital wrap around support services including mental health support, cultural education and connection, support with living skills, financial literacy, relationship building skills and opportunities to pursue educational or employment pursuits.”
The development is on track to help hundreds of young people and young families, supporting Australians like Cherice, who came through Anglicare’s service almost a decade ago after her father forced her out of home at only 16. She moved into her mother’s unit, but her mother was incarcerated soon after, and she found herself unable to afford the rent despite working two jobs while still attending school.
After moving into Anglicare’s crisis accommodation, Cherice soon progressed to transitional accommodation, where the organisation supported her to complete school and continue further studies. This enabled her to create a positive future for herself, going on to become a nurse in a major Queensland hospital while living in her own unit with her dog, Sophie.
“I finished my year 12 schooling, which allowed me to go on and do further study, and now I’m a registered nurse,” Cherice said. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without Anglicare. Without their support and guidance, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to study, to buy a car, to get braces, to have my own unit – all of the things that I wanted to do but couldn’t without their support.”
Anglicare is seeking donors, corporate partners and advocates to help realise this important community project, welcoming financial and in-kind contributions of any size this tax time. Visit Anglicare’s Youth Homelessness Project page for more information and Tax Appeal page to donate.
Read also: Link Wentworth calls for more accommodation for homeless youth
Geraldine is currently the Content Producer for Third Sector, an Akolade channel. Throughout her career, she has written for various industries and international audiences. Her love for writing extends beyond the corporate world, as she also works as a volunteer writer at her local church. Aside from writing, she is also fond of joining fun runs and watching musicals.
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