Our amazing Victorian community came together on 20 August to pack a record 975 care packs for young people experiencing homelessness.
Our Victorian Toiletries Wrap Night is an annual volunteer-led initiative planned by our Future Leaders Committee, uniting professionals from across the property and construction industry to collect, sort and wrap essential care packages for homeless and vulnerable youth. In the lead-up to the event, participating organisations collected the essential items, which make a big difference in the lives of often traumatised and isolated young people.
Hosted by Pitcher Partners and run in partnership with frontline charity The Salvation Army Youth Refuge, 140 of our industry supporters got stuck into the job of sorting and packing hundreds of care packs containing 1,700 donated essential items like shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant and body wash. These basics were wrapped alongside useful items like phone chargers, sensory toys, colouring books, stationary, water bottles and headphones. Packs will be handed to young people presenting at Salvation Army services across Victoria over the coming months. Arriving with limited or no belongings, a starter pack makes vulnerable young people feel instantly cared for and seen.
”“Preparing these care packs for young people experiencing homelessness is so important because it provides them with both practical support and restores a sense of dignity. Access to basic hygiene items like body wash or dental products, boosts health, wellbeing and self-care, while also telling young people that they matter and that they are not invisible.”
Caitlyn Schroder, VIC Events & Engagement Manager
Participants also heard from a guest speaker from The Salvation Army, who shared insight into their daily work and the impact of charity donations, and a young person with lived experience of homelessness on their personal struggle to find a safe place to live.
Thank you to Pitcher Partners, everyone who came out in support of homeless youth for our Toiletries Wrap Night, and the Future Leaders Committee for their organisation behind the scenes.
