Our tireless industry volunteers are at the heart of what we do at the Property Industry Foundation. Meet Urbis Associate Director Sarah Davies – who has done ‘all the things’ to support homeless youth over 10 years of pro bono work, committee volunteering and event fundraising.
Sarah Davies
Associate Director, Urbis
Beneficiary Review Committee, pro bono projects, event participant
What inspired you to start volunteering with the Property Industry Foundation
Urbis were working on a new pro bono project with the Property Industry Foundation just when I joined the company. The timing was right!
Working in the private sector it’s a great opportunity to give back to the community. When you work alongside Community Housing Providers (CHPs) and see the challenges they face every day in providing services for such a vulnerable part of our community, it brings new meaning to the nature of the work that we do. When you meet the young people who’ve benefited from the services the Foundation and CHPs provide, the challenges that they’ve faced from often very young ages, and to then see them grow and thrive into fully functioning members of our community, it really brings it all home.
”The Property Industry Foundation has so many ways you can be involved – whether that’s providing pro bono services and using your work smarts to give back, volunteering on a committee, attending a working bee, being involved at one of the many events that the Foundation holds. It’s really easy to fit it into your every day and do as much or as little as you want.
Sarah Davies,
How long have you been involved and in what capacity?
Since 2014 – initially working on the then GLASS project in a pro bono capacity at Clayfield. I have been involved with the Foundation ever since. I feel as though I’ve done all the things – Tour de PIF when it was held at Sirromet, wrap nights, trivia …
I’ve also sat on the Beneficiary Review Committee for a number of years. The BRC really exposes me to the variety of CHP’s and Non-Profits that exist in our community, particularly those that go under the radar but provide extremely valuable services and support. You realise how important it is to break the cycle and support a vulnerable young person to try and prevent homelessness.
Was there a particular moment or person who made you realise this was something you wanted to do?
There probably wasn’t a particular moment or person, but just a culmination of being exposed to living stories that are outside what would ordinarily be a part of my world and knowing that it doesn’t take much for your life to take a different path.
What ways can people volunteer at the Foundation?
The Property Industry Foundation has so many ways you can be involved – whether that’s providing pro bono services and using your work smarts to give back, volunteering on a committee, attending a working bee, being involved at one of the many events that the Foundation holds. It’s really easy to fit it into your every day and do as much or as little as you want.
How does the contribution of the industry directly impact young people?
Volunteer work for the Foundation really does connect directly to benefit young homeless people. Whether it’s through one of the Haven House projects being developed from scratch by the Foundation teams, or through charitable giving to frontline charities, initiatives and programs that drive change for our vulnerable youth. It all adds up and makes a huge difference.
There are so many ways to get involved with volunteering at the Foundation. Join a committee, get hands on at a working bee or wrapping night, or sign up to a fundraising event!
