Dignity First delivers help for women on southern Gold Coast

Women experiencing or at risk of homelessness on the southern end of the Gold Coast will receive targeted support thanks to a timely financial boost from the Palaszczuk Government’s Dignity First Fund.

Minister for Housing and Public Works Mick de Brenni said Palm Beach Neighbourhood Centre (PBNC) had been awarded $76,450 in round two of the $2.5 million fund, which was established in 2016 to support projects that help people experiencing homelessness to live with dignity.

Mr de Brenni said the funding will enable Palm Beach Neighbourhood Centre to offer a financial and well-being counselling service to support women who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

“With this funding, Palm Beach Neighbourhood Centre will be able to offer its counselling services in a confidential sound-proof room by a professional trained in privacy, confidentiality and crisis intervention,” said Mr de Brenni.

“The funding will also provide more than 200 Dignity Women’s Bags that include essential toiletries and personal care items, food and fuel vouchers, go card and USB sticks, as well as access to washing machines, dryers, wi-fi and charging stations for mobile phones.”

PBNC has been operating on the southern end of the Gold Coast since 1991 and delivers a broad range of community-based programs for individuals and families, including practical life skills programs, crisis intervention and counselling.

Palm Beach Neighbourhood Centre coordinator Samantha Way said the funding was greatly appreciated and will assist vulnerable women, particularly mature women, through the often-stressful time of adjustment.

“We offer a very flexible approach to support women on the southern end of the Gold Coast and with rentals in such short supply in our area, are certainly seeing a rise in homelessness and risk of homelessness,” she said.

“We look forward to continuing to work with Queensland Government and the Department of Housing and Public Works to service the community we have supported for the past 25 years.”

Mr de Brenni said the Dignity First Fund was designed to encourage innovative, non-traditional ideas to help people experiencing homelessness through the hard times.

“The Fund has proven how much difference you can make with a good idea, a lot of heart and a little money,” Mr de Brenni said.

“The Dignity First Fund has already brought some fantastic ideas to life. Young people transitioning out of homelessness are learning how to drive, a mobile barbershop is providing haircuts on the street, and café-style dining is serving up food along with employment and training opportunities.

“Whatever situation you’re in, you have the right to live with dignity, and Dignity First projects help deliver that.”

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Media contact: Cat Milton 0410 644 113