We would like to say thank you to and express how much we appreciate all of our supporters.
Even in a year like we have just had, we can count on the unfailing generosity of community. We were concerned, given the nature of 2020 and how it impacted people in general, that we might not have as many donations as other years. These concerns were put to rest early on when the support came pouring in.
We also received $16,000 for our young people this Christmas including a cheque for $10,000 from a Trust. Thank you to all of you lovely kind hearted people.
Northern Beaches restrictions and young people visiting family
Before Christmas there was uncertainty, due to new Covid-19 outbreaks and restrictions, about whether our young people could visit family. We are delighted to say that despite our worries, all of our young people were indeed able to visit loved ones.
It is almost Christmas – a typical family time when some of our young people feel intensely isolated and lonely. Christmas evokes images of happy times spent with family and friends and it can hit children and young people in care hard as it shows up what they are lacking. We, of course, try really hard to make it a special time for the young people in our care, with presents and extra attention.
The Youth Support Fund
This is where you come in. We wish to raise money this Christmas to provide young people with the opportunity to access a fund they apply to for items that make a difference in their lives. It could be new shoes for an interview, a laptop to study online, swimming lessons for their child or a moving in pack for a new residency. We believe it is important to support young people’s independence and provide them with choices they would experience in a family context as well. Please take a look at our Christmas 2020 Appeal and our Youth Support Fund and see if you can help in any way. You might like to organise your own Christmas fundraising event and nominate Burdekin as the beneficiary! If you can, please donate to the Youth Support Fund!
Live-in Foster Carers
We have vacancies and need Live-In Foster Carers in the Inner West, Eastern and South East Sydney. Please have a look at our Carers page, our Carers FAQ page and our Meet Our Carers page and see if this is something you or someone you know may be interested in. If it’s not for you, please share this link with someone you think would be a great fit for Burdekin.
Simone is 15 and one of 7 children. She has lived with her aunt and uncle since she was 5 but her behaviour has become unsettled this year.
She was suspended from school for rudeness to teachers. Following this, her aunt and uncle have said they can no longer care for her. Simone is remorseful and is looking to make a fresh start with a welcoming family. Simone is waiting for someone to welcome her into their home. Could this be you giving her a second chance?
Young people experiencing homelessness are just like us. They have aspirations for a better life. The emotional, social and practical benefits of receiving Youth Support Fund support is clearly evident.
In order for young people experiencing homelessness to gain independence and self-sufficiency, we need to focus on inclusion and challenge traditional stereotypes like: ‘why should they have (a mobile phone, new clothes, access to the internet, driving lessons) if they’re in receipt of benefits.’ Why shouldn’t they?
Who is at fault?
We shouldn’t blame children and young people for being in state care, for a lack of affordable housing, the loss of a job, family breakdown, illness, substance abuse and abuse or neglect. We should invest all our efforts into supporting them.
Exclusion becomes inclusion
Limited financial support can mean exclusion from education and employment related things like the internet, books, stationery, school clothes/uniforms, shoes, transport; from social activities like birthdays, recreation and sports classes, from health related things like eye glasses, hearing aids and assessments and the list goes on. With targeted support from the Youth Support Fund our young people set out on the right path.
Without access to the internet it is difficult or impossible to study, find work and stay in touch.
Inclusion works
We want to enable young people to be independent and successful, whatever that means for them, access to education and training, life and financial skills, someone to believe in them and opportunities to thrive.
Our outcomes for young people are significantly above the state average in areas of educational achievement, transition to independence, secure housing, increase in family contact as well as an improved mental well-being.
Our rates of young people entering stable accommodation, or out of the welfare system, is a complimentary 67.2% compared to the NSW state average of 24.81%.
Upon exiting our youth housing program 80% of clients leave the welfare system or enter stable housing.
Of our young people 95% are engaged in education or employment when leaving our Out Of Home Care program.
We have supported 3,140 young people and their families over 10 years.
‘The total cost to the Australian economy of additional health and justice services for homeless young people aged 12-24 is estimated at $747 million annually. These costs do not include additional lifetime impact of early school leaving and low engagement with employment.’
Based on current research, the estimated lifetime savings are up to 26 times the amount invested up-front in our preventative work.
Young people can ask us for money for items that are important to them.
What we would like from you
We appreciate any help you can offer. A single donation, a regular monthly donation or workplace giving with co-workers, friends and family are all options. Take a look at the Burdekin Youth Support Fund and donate today if you can.
$1,500 pays for a fridge and washing machine for a young person in need
$2,500 pays for furniture & white goods to fit out one flat for our young people
$5,000 contributes to University fees and textbooks for one young person
We acknowledge the Aboriginal people of the Cadigal and Gayamaygal Clans. We acknowledge the Country on which we live, work, and gather as being Aboriginal land.
We acknowledge the lands, waterways and skies that are connected to Aboriginal people. We honour them and pay our deepest respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.
We respect their rightful place within our communities, and we value their ancient cultural knowledge and practices.
We deeply respect that this will always be Aboriginal land and we will honour and follow the first peoples’ values in caring for the Country and for preserving their culture.
We deeply value that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are the oldest living culture in the world and we will continue to work with their peoples and communities to ensure their cultures endure and remain strong.
