Churchie Old Boy and OBA President Grant Menzies (1988) was delighted to attend Anglicare Southern Queensland’s first-ever Chair’s Lunch in September with Anglicare Southern Queensland Chair, Tracy Morgan.

The event shone a light on the urgent youth homelessness crisis and highlighted Anglicare Southern Queensland’s response, a $14 million Youth Homelessness Accommodation Project in Beenleigh, which will deliver 30 new units of safe, supportive housing for young people.

Grant said it was deeply moving and eye-opening to hear from Tracy Morgan, The Most Reverend Jeremy Greaves, Archbishop of Brisbane, Councillor Vicki Howard, Central Ward, Brisbane City Council and Rees Maddren, Manager of Youth Homeless Services, who each spoke about the scale of the crisis and the urgent need for coordinated action.

Nearly one in four Australians experiencing homelessness are aged between 12 and 24. In the Brisbane South/Logan corridor the shortage of immediate accommodation for young people is particularly severe. Anglicare Southern Queensland is committed to building a purpose-designed service in Beenleigh with accommodation offering a mix of studio and one-bedroom apartments for singles, couples and young families aged 16 to 25, including disability access, within a safe, dignified environment that keeps young people connected to their networks.

The service will also provide 24/7 on-site support within a trauma-informed setting to give young people the stability and care they need to thrive.

Together, we can change the future for young people facing homelessness. To learn more or get involved, contact Anglicare Southern Queensland Head of Fundraising, Kelly Burmester at kburmester@anglicaresq.org.au or visit: Youth Homelessness Project.