Jill Wrathall (BA staff member and experienced foster carer) and Kim Backhouse, our new Volunteer Co-ordinator at the BA Christmas party in December 2020
We are very lucky to have these two fabulous women in our corner. Jill Wrathall is one of our Out of Home Care Managers. Jill also coordinates our volunteer program, is also an experienced foster carer and a hive of knowledge!
Kim Backhouse is our new Volunteer Co-ordinator. This is a new role with us, which will see Kim use her local knowledge and leadership skills to organise and oversee our volunteers as part of the Burdekin Volunteer Program. We truly believe that our volunteers play a vital role in our work, we couldn’t do it without them. Keep your eyes peeled for updates now we have Kim on board! More information can be found on our Volunteer page.
Burdekin Volunteers at our Christmas party December 2020
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.
We want to take this opportunity to wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
This past year was special for all of us, in part due to Covid-19 and in part due to the expansion of our services into the Inner West, Eastern and South East Sydney. We were busy and all for the right reasons!
We have so many people to thank for their support and guidance. Particular thanks go to our Board made up of dedicated volunteers, supporters from all levels of Government, members of our business community, philanthropic organisations providing money for special projects and all the wonderful, generous individuals we come across and who support us throughout the year. And last but not least, the young people in our care who we build relationships with. We appreciate you, every single one of you. We see you, we hear you and we celebrate your achievements with you.
We wish you all the very best for Christmas and look forward to spending 2021 with you.
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
Our Patron, Professor Brian Burdekin AO, met with new and old staff at our Inner West office for a meet and greet. He spoke about the Burdekin model of care and the lessons learned during the homelessness inquiry in the late 80ties. Many of the recommendations made then still ring true today.
You can read more about our Patron here or his speech at the National Youth Homelessness Conference in 2019 and check out the photos below of Prof Burdekin AO, CEO Justene Gordon Graham Bargwanna, Jacqui, and some of the Inner West team.
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.
