As part of Anglicare Southern Queensland’s annual Christmas Fundraising Campaign, in December 2022, Anglicare worked with the community to raise funds for women and youth experiencing homelessness.
With almost 10,000 people experiencing homelessness in Queensland, at the time of the campaign, and 36% of those being under the age of 25, we spoke to former youth homelessness client, Cherice about how our services were able to support her during her time of need.
When Cherice was 16, she was forced out of her home. At the time, Cherice was working two jobs while studying and was unable to afford rent.
“It was very daunting. I remember feeling scared and unsure,” Cherice said.
Support from Anglicare
Cherice connected with Anglicare Southern Queensland’s homelessness services where she was provided with emergency accommodation, as well as 24-hour access to youth workers who equipped her with practical skills and emotional support.
“At times I didn’t know whether I’d get through it. But, with some help from the team at Anglicare Southern Queensland, I just kept putting one foot in front of the other…I didn’t feel like another statistic, I felt like an actual person,” she said.
Through the help of Anglicare Southern Queensland’s services, Cherice completed her studies and eventually transitioned into independent accommodation. Nine years on, Cherice is now a surgical nurse, helping others in need.
In 2022, Anglicare Southern Queensland received almost 1,000 enquiries from women and youth who were, or are at risk of, experiencing homelessness. As enquiries continue to increase year on year, there just are not enough beds and support services available to keep up with the demand.
Anglicare Southern Queensland’s Manager of Homelessness Services, Rees Maddren, explained that homelessness support services are stretched beyond limits, across the sector.
“Homelessness can happen to anyone, especially in the current climate where rentals are so high. People who have never experienced homelessness are going through that,” Mr Maddren said.
“We receive hundreds of enquiries from women and young people needing accommodation and support, but the number of people who are experiencing homelessness, far outweighs the number of beds and support that are available.”
How Anglicare is helping those experiencing homelessness
“The work we do is vital and even though homelessness, especially with women, isn’t always seen, there isn’t enough funding to help everyone who is experiencing homelessness,” Mr Maddren said.
Anglicare Southern Queensland’s Housing and Homelessness Services are more than crisis and temporary accommodation. We provide our clients with a range of other supports, which is what makes funding so crucial. Examples of other supports we are equipped to provide, include:
- Parenting support
- Counselling and wellbeing referrals
- Advocacy on behalf of our clients
- Support with budgeting and financial guidance
- Information and referrals to medical, employment, education, family mediation, legal support and more
- On-site support and 24/7 access to youth workers at our crisis accommodation homes.
In conclusion
If you would like to learn more about donating to our homelessness services, please click here to our Fundraising page. Alternatively, to learn more about our housing and homelessness programs, click here.