Click the sections below to see how industry supporters are uniting to help develop these special spaces for young people in need
Vacant properties in Queensland are becoming homes for at-risk youth.
Every year, Brisbane Youth Service (BYS) supports over 3,000 young people. Almost half are homeless, and most are also experiencing a range of other complex issues and barriers such as domestic and family violence, diagnosed mental health issues, and poor or no family support.
The Property Industry Foundation and its Queensland supporters are gearing up for an epic ‘Workerbee’ at a new transitional house for young people situated in inner city Brisbane. The four-bedroom property has been made available by Brisbane City Council for BYS, to house young people at risk or experiencing homelessness.
“This project will change young people’s lives, not only through providing a place to live after
experiencing homelessness, but also access to a program providing coaching and mentoring to achieve goals in education and employment,” says Sarah Dybing, BYS Housing Services Senior Manager. “Safe accommodation and tailored support at a crucial developmental age will give young people the stability and help they need to build positive, sustainable pathways to the future.”
A Community Project
The project is part of an innovative Community Housing Partnership Project (CHPP), which makes use of vacant properties designated for future Council development as temporary accommodation for young people and young families experiencing homelessness. The homes are then managed by eligible CHPP housing providers.
“Brisbane Youth Service is a not-for-profit whose limited resources go directly to supporting vulnerable young people and young families,” says Sarah. “Unfortunately, we simply could not set up a property like this on our own and rely on generous community partners to help. This entire, amazing project has been directly pulled together by multiple partnerships and communities working together – from the house, to the furniture, to the towels!”
Adding the Finishing Touches
The Foundation and a team of supporting sponsors will transform the house room-by-room at a
Workerbee is scheduled for late March. “The Property Industry Foundation and supporters are turning this vacant house into a home!” says Sarah. “There is nothing better than the smile on a young person’s face when they see the community caring for them and investing in their future. By furnishing, decorating, and providing all the little bits and pieces needed to live in a home, the Foundation and supporters are giving the young residents an opportunity to experience a life free of disadvantage and space to focus on their next life steps.”
The BYS team can’t wait to open their front door to young people who desperately need a place to call home. “We are looking forward to two days of hard work moving and unpacking furniture, decorating with soft furnishings, and putting all the finishing touches on the house,” says Sarah. “It will be particularly special being part of creating this home, knowing the significant impact it will have on young lives.”
The BYS team can’t wait to open their front door to young people who desperately need a place to call home. “We are looking forward to two days of hard work moving and unpacking furniture, decorating with soft furnishings, and putting all the finishing touches on the house,” says Sarah. “It will be particularly special being part of creating this home, knowing the significant impact it will have on young lives.”
King Living – Adding Warmth to Haven Houses
King Living have been adding their beautifully-crafted furniture to Haven Houses for many years, including a house for BYS in Brisbane.
Once our Haven Houses are built or refurbished, they’re still in need of the finishing touches that make a house a home. That’s where our supporters at King Living step in – providing gorgeous furniture donations that add warmth and comfort to the rooms. “Making a positive contribution is core to who we are as a company, and it has been our absolute delight to provide furniture for the different properties many disadvantaged young people will call home. We are humbled that our furniture donation can help create a welcoming and comfortable space for those living in the homes and their friends,” says Jackie Buckingham, Global Head of Retail & Trade at King Living.
King Living will donate furniture to a house in inner-city Brisbane, managed by Brisbane Youth Service (BYS) and providing beds for young people at risk or experiencing homelessness. “This is our first furniture donation to the Brisbane Youth Service,” says Jackie. “We are happy to provide furniture for the four-bedroom house where young people will study and call this house their home. The comfort of furniture is more than simply the physical comfort of relaxing on a sofa; it also brings emotional comfort and familiarity that helps make a house a home.”
This isn’t the first Foundation project that King Living has thrown their support behind – they have also contributed furniture to Haven House Granville and Haven House Dulwich Hill in NSW. They’re supporting the Small Steps 4 Hannah project – helping furnish ‘Hannah’s Sanctuary’ – a new townhouse development in Queensland, offering a safe space to family and domestic violence victims. “Included in this donation are sofas, tables, and bedroom and outdoor settings,” says Jackie. “Supporting organisations assisting domestic violence victims is one vital way we can invest in the well-being of our communities and work hard toward a better future.”
Thank you, King Living!
Design, innovation, and comfort are the foundation of King Living. For five decades, the brand has been at the forefront of Australian design, continually pushing the boundaries of what furniture can achieve. Driven by the belief that quality design improves the way we live, these core principles inform every part of their business. A family owned and run Australian company headquartered from their Support Centre in Sydney, with showrooms and manufacturing centres spanning Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, China, and Thailand.
A 5 out of 5 workerbee project for Brisbane Youth Service
Five companies across two days threw themselves into the opportunity to give back to youth in need through our recent volunteer workerbee for Brisbane Youth Service.
ADG Engineers, Bluebird Property, Urbis, TTM and MBM each sponsored areas of the house and set up fresh new living spaces for the four young people that will call Falconer House a home.
The furniture provided by King Living and volunteers was unpacked and assembled as the teams put their skills to good use setting up flat packs, making beds and most importantly making a home that best sets up the young residence for success.
Sarah Dybing and the Brisbane Youth Services team provided information on their programs, how they support the Brisbane community and how beneficial Falconer House will be to 4 young people.
Thank you to all the companies and teams that helped bring this space to life!
