Northern Beaches Archives - Page 2 of 3 - The Burdekin Association

New home in the making

April 14, 2022

Alleviating youth homelessness in the community

An exciting new property renovation is on the way to being a new home for our young people.

The Property Industry Foundation (PIF), SMLXL Projects and Bridge Housing have teamed up with us in support of our Youth Housing Program to renovate a two-bedroom house – Haven House in Balgowlah – with Bridge Housing administering the lease arrangements with the young people.

Graham Bargwanna from the Burdekin Association had this to say:

The Burdekin Association are so thrilled and grateful for the support of The Property Industry Foundation and SMLXL Projects in creating a beautiful home for the young people who have been on our waiting list for housing. We so appreciate not only the generosity of their money, time and skills, but also the enthusiasm in which they are undertaking this project. Housing for vulnerable homeless young people is in extremely short supply. We are so excited this project is happening!

Work is about to commence and expected to be completed by the end of May.

PIF work collaboratively with several charities to break the cycle of youth homelessness, including the Burdekin Association. Their aim is to change lives for the better and as part of their work PIF connects us regularly with other organisations so we, in turn, can alleviate child and youth homelessness. One such organisation is SMLXL Projects, a fabulous company whose staff have thrown their weight behind renovating this new property.

Bridge Housing provides long-term accommodation for people on low to moderate incomes through their property portfolio across Sydney. For Haven House Bridge Housing will be the community housing provider managing the property on behalf of the “owner” (the Land and Housing Commission). The young people who live in the property will enter into a lease with Bridge Housing.

The Burdekin Association is the youth services provider responsible for the case management of each young person living in the house.

You can view more about the project over on the PIF website, thank you so much to our supporters – we can’t wait to see the final result and if this inspires you to become involved, please reach out – we would love to hear from you!

Connecting the Dots

March 17, 2022March 14, 2022

Join us for screenings on the Northern Beaches

Community Capital Foundation presents Connecting the Dots screenings and panel discussion events.

We have partnered with Community Capital Foundation and other local organisations for something very important to us – screenings of the documentary film Connecting the Dots by award-winning Canadian film director Noemi Weis, as well as post screening panel discussions.

Discussions will include mental health experts, local organisations and youth representatives to talk about how we can collectively improve youth mental health in 2022.

You can view screenings of Connecting the Dots on:

Watch the trailer

About Connecting the Dots

Connecting the Dots is the first feature documentary of its kind to offer a raw and inteimate look at youth mental health from a global youth perspective.

“The film gives a voice to our future leaders, who, through sharing their lived experience- articulate the problems and potential solutions. Community Capital Foundation will then work directly with Northern Sydney’s youth to identify ideas needing community support. In addition, we’re asking local individuals and businesses to contribute to our Youth Impact Fund for a giving program this year,” says the Foundation’s manager, Jessie Williams

Youth Mental Health Crisis

Late last year, self-harm and suicidal ideation were up 31 per cent for children and teenagers compared with 2020, according to NSW Government’s Health report.

With mental health charities doing it tough and rising rates of youth struggling, Community Capital Foundation want to shift the dial through a campaign to increase awareness, identify organisations making a difference and help raise the capital to contribute to our next grants program.

You can help promote Connecting the Dots

Hashtags and links to use – #RaiseYourHand, #ConnectingtheDots, #CCF, #mentalhealth #youthmentalhealth

Community Capital Foundation media release

Connect with Facebook and Instagram

About Community Capital Foundation

Community Capital Foundation is an initiative by local Northern Beaches organisation, Community Care Northern Beaches. We support our communities through grant-giving and community-building initiatives that positively impact our local backyard. Since 2019, we have donated $111,000 to programs eradicating Indigenous youth disadvantage, building male youth resilience and respect for themselves and others, and programs supporting victims of domestic violence, plus several others.

“When a flower doesn’t grow, you change the environment around it. As communities, we need to learn how to create safe and empowering spaces for young people to achieve their best mental health,” says Community Capital Foundation’s Youth Ambassador, Emily Unity.

To learn more, contact Jessie Williams.
Email: jessie@communitycapitalfoundation.com.au
Phone: +61 452 627 257

Local Matters Jar at Grill’d Balgowlah

February 2, 2022January 12, 2022

For the month of February there will be our own local matters jar at Grill’d Balgowlah. If you happen to love a good burger head to Grill’d Balgowlah or order online and vote for Burdekin. If you love our work and want to help, this is an easy way for you to support us and it won’t cost you anything extra!

We have a chance to win the top donation prize of $300 or second or third place of $100 each. Grab some mates and head down for a burger and support your local charity! All you have to do is add a community token to our jar.

Community Matters

December 21, 2021December 15, 2021

We are always saying how much our community matters to us – because we mean it, we can honestly do so much more because of you.

Faros Seafood Marrickville

When only fresh will do… Faros Seafood on Buckley Street in Marrickville have an amazing reputation locally and beyond for their delicious seafood and friendly customer service. We would like to thank Peter and the team there for their very generous donation of a $50 gift voucher for each of our young people in the Inner West. Such generosity at a difficult time of the year – we are so very appreciative!

Rotary Club Dee Why

The lovely folk at The Rotary Club of Dee Why visited Friday, 17^th December and left some beautifully wrapped gifts that have been carefully placed under our Christmas tree. These presents are donations from the community, which will be allocated to our young people. Thank you so much to the lovely group of Rotary representatives and community members who generously donated the items. They will sure put smiles on our young people’s faces at Christmas.

Addi Road Community Organisation

Our Inner West office is located at the Addi Road Community Centre, which is operated by The Addi Road Community Organisation – also a not for profit. One of Addi Road’s initiatives is The Food Pantry – a food relief hub that sells low cost groceries to those in need or food vouchers to those who cannot afford to pay. In the lead up to Christmas their team of volunteers have been creating Hampers for Hope – with a mission to pack over 1000 gift hampers for those who are vulnerable and or in need this Christmas.

They have very kindly donated 50 hampers to Burdekin for the children and young people in our care. Amazing community spirit from our neighbours and we thank them so much! Our children and young people will love them!

From left to right, Virginia Texeira, Jacqui Gildaly (both Burdekin Inner West Managers), Graham Bargwanna, one of the BA senior managers and some of the team from the Addi Road Community Organisation.

Officeworks Brookvale

Recently our CEO was presented with a laptop, ipad, phone, and art supplies for the young people in our care by Officeworks in Brookvale – this will benefit our young people so much.

A big thank you to Gabby Collins and team. Here she is with our CEO Justene Gordon.

Bing Lee Balgowlah

Bing Lee Balgowlah also very kindly donated a number of vacuum cleaners that will be used across our houses to support our young people in Out of Home Care.

In the lead up to Christmas we also have many other contributions from individuals, businesses and local organisations – acts of kindness – that help make the lives of the children and young people in our care that much better.

Thank you!

Have you ever thought about becoming a Burdekin Foster Carer?

October 23, 2021October 10, 2021

Have you ever thought about becoming a foster carer?

Being a Carer with The Burdekin Association is different from the traditional foster care programs.

We are a community-based non-profit organisation offering foster care to young people in need. Fostering can be undertaken in many ways, in your own home or a rent-free Burdekin property for you and the young person. Singles, couples and families are ALL welcome!

Are you ready?

Do you want to take the next step and make a difference to a child’s life? For more information, call one of our carer support staff on 02 8976 1777 or email carer@burdekin.org.au.

Check out what Burdekin Foster Carers and young people in care have to say.

Have a listen to what Beth and Ange have to say about being Foster Carers with Burdekin. Beth and Ange.

Have a listen to what a difference having a caring home made to CJ. CJ

Have a listen to what being Foster Carers has meant to Jill and Tom. Jill and Tom.

Please visit our Carer pages to find out more – Becoming a Foster Carer and Live-in Foster Carer FAQ’s.

Learn more about being a foster carer, hear real stories about what it is like to be a foster carer with us

At The Burdekin Association we know many teenagers are in need of a safe, secure, nurturing home and that many people won’t consider fostering teenagers because of negative misconceptions about them.

Fostering a teenager provides young people with a consistent, nurturing, adult role model at a vital time in their life, allowing them to build up necessary steps to independence.

You do not need to have had your own teenagers or have had experience with teenagers. What you do need to have is an open heart to support young people who need to be loved and protected.

Keeping siblings together in foster care is vital to keep their close bond and connection rather than being split up. Burdekin currently have young teenage siblings who urgently need carers available to offer them a safe and nurturing home.

Have you ever considered becoming a foster carer?

Lisa* is a kind, thoughtful 11-year-old girl with loads of energy, looking for a loving home in the Inner West of Sydney. Lisa loves gymnastics, dancing and has recently shown a lot of interest in AFL. Lisa will be making the transition to high school next year and may need help getting to and from her new school. Lisa loves school but sometimes needs some support with her homework. She loves structure and routine and goes to bed at the same time every night. Lisa is an amazing chef – her favourite things to make are smoothies and cupcakes.
*Image and name has been changed to protect child’s identity.

Foster carers needed Inner West, Northern Sydney, Eastern Suburbs and South East Sydney - can you help?

Ricky* is a caring, funny, smart 12-year-old boy who is full of energy and is hoping for a warm and loving home in the Inner West of Sydney. Ricky* absolutely loves NRL and has recently taken a huge interest in his fitness – going to the local park for running and circuit training. He has recently learnt to follow recipes and cooks up a storm. Ricky* takes so much pride in his bedroom. Ricky* enjoys school and sometimes will need some support with his assignments. Ricky* responds positively to a structured but fun environment.
*Image and name have been changed to protect child’s identity.

We are looking for individuals from all sorts of backgrounds and experiences, who are single or in a relationship – all are welcome and encouraged to become foster carers.

Don’t forget, if you would like more information call one of our carer support staff on 02 8976 1777, email carer@burdekin.org.au or visit our website to find out more – Becoming a Foster Carer and Live-in Foster Carer FAQ’s.