Housing and homelessness volunteers recognised

Thousands of volunteers who support Queensland’s homeless each year have been thanked for their efforts in helping the State’s most vulnerable.

Minister for Housing and Public Works Tim Mander said that the hard work and dedication of Queensland’s volunteers were key to meeting the needs of the state’s homeless community.

“Volunteering is worth billions of dollars to Queensland’s economy each year, with two out of three Queenslanders engaged in some form of informal or formal volunteer work each year,” Mr Mander said.

“The housing and homelessness sector is supported by thousands of volunteers who donate their time to helping those in need and Saint Vincent De Paul’s Spring Hill Support Centre is an excellent case in point.

“Last year, this facility helped more than 1,200 people with the Saint Vincent De Paul Society helping nearly 300,000 needy people across Queensland, which is an amazing contribution.

“Effective partnerships are critical to supporting Queensland’s homeless or people in housing difficulty, which includes the work of volunteers, charities, community housing organisations and government.

“This centre provides immediate assistance to those who are homeless or are facing homelessness, by providing food and clothing vouchers.

“The centre helps women from refuges, people with mental health problems and rough sleepers.

Mr John Harrison of Saint Vincent De Paul Society Queensland said that Volunteers Week was an important celebration for an organisation so dependent on volunteer contribution.

“As one of Australia’s largest volunteer-based organisations, our volunteers are our backbone,” Mr Harrison said.

“We have more than 8,500 volunteers in Queensland alone, who undertake thousands of home visitations and deliver our programs and services to those facing tough times in our communities.

“The devotion our volunteers have to helping others is inspiring and is a constant source of motivation for me and other members of the Saint Vincent De Paul family.”

National Volunteers Week is being held from 12 to 18 May 2014.

[ENDS] 12 May 2014

Media contact: Janette Andrews 0414 248 982