Brisbane makes daggy jumpers the fashion

Minister for Housing and Public Works Leeanne Enoch has urged Brisbanites to dig out their old jumpers and wear them as a woolly badge of hope on Daggy Jumper Day, Friday, July 24.

The day, aimed at raising awareness about youth homelessness in Brisbane, is a fundraiser for Brisbane Youth Service which supports some of our community’s most vulnerable young people.

Ms Enoch said she planned to wear her daggiest jumper on the day and encouraged others to do the same.

“Daggy Jumper Day is a timely reminder of the plight of young people without a home in the winter months when temperatures plummet,” she said.

“Young people who grow up in poverty are more likely to experience homelessness, and ABS data shows that one in six Australians aged 15-24 are living in poverty.

“Organisations like Brisbane Youth Service provide important resources for young people who are homeless and Daggy Jumper Day is a way to have some fun but support an important cause at the same time.” 

Employing 42 professional staff to deliver services from three sites across Brisbane, BYS has been addressing youth homelessness in the state’s capital for 38 years.

The service helps young people to find safe accommodation, secure long term housing, address physical and mental health issues, and assists them to establish or rebuild relationships and support networks and access pathways to education and long-term employment.

BYS chief executive officer Annemaree Callander said that last year BYS had supported 1,298 young people aged from 12 to 25, and their accompanying children.

Ms Callander said BYS had 17,221 contacts with young people and young families throughout the year.

“Of these young people, 38% were experiencing primary or secondary homelessness,” she said.

Launched in 2013, Ms Callander said the Daggy Jumper Day had built a strong supporter base and new supporters are encouraged to register and get involved by visiting www.daggy.com.au.

“This fun campaign has created a greater awareness of youth homelessness in the local community and among businesses,” she said.

Ms Enoch said the Department of Housing and Public Works had provided $965,233 to help support BYS in the year ending June 30.

“In 2014-15, the State Government funded 223 Specialist Homeless Services across Queensland, spending almost $107 million,” she said.

“The services are operated by 136 organisations.”

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