Maureen [pictured] joined Rosies ten years ago at the very beginning of our Logan Beenleigh branch. She was introduced to Rosies through her parish, which initially held a few meetings to introduce Rosies and its activities in the hope that a new branch would start. Today, Rosies Logan team are pleased to celebrate its tenth anniversary. Maureen was first involved in the Logan street van outreach, and four years ago joined the Beenleigh court support team.
“Although open to all, the court support outreach in Beenleigh is essentially addressed to children and young adults. The youngsters often refer to them as the ‘Woollies or Coles boys’. It is often where they work and where they commit their mischief. As we do on street outreach, we offer coffee, tea, or milo, and a chat.”
Visitors must come through the door to a very narrow room where our volunteers are stationed in the Beenleigh court. Some often have an initial lack of respect until they get to know our court angels. Maureen recalls one particular tall young boy coming through the door and helping himself without acknowledging the volunteers.
“We told him he should say ‘hello’ and politely ask to be looked after. He looked down on us and walked off. He came back later on. It was a bit daunting. This time however, the boy stopped at the door and politely asked to be served another coffee. It is heartbreaking to see the same kids coming again repeatedly; to witness that boy we met a year ago, who has grown up and yet again faces the judge. It is even more difficult to see what the mothers who accompanied them are going through. On the bright side others really turn their lives around.
We occasionally meet some of them who are now helping their ‘brothers’ bounce back with their lives. The court support is different each time. At the street van outreach (in Logan), I constantly meet the same people. It is a little community. The development of the branch over the last ten years has been fantastic. It is amazing to see the support of the community. Now, so many other organisations regularly join us on the street.”
The Friday night street outreach in Logan today resembles a small pop-up village as various services join Rosies to connect with our many friends – from laundry and hairdressing services, to food, and street doctors present.
“I think people appreciate what is done for them. I do what I do simply because I can. People feel the difference. It is amazing what a presence and a few little words can achieve. We too often underestimate the impact of loneliness and social exclusion. People want to be around with someone. To me Rosies is about being approachable, to just be there.”
Thank you Maureen, and all our wonderful volunteers. Your support of Rosies and our many friends makes the difference.
Our Brisbane Branch coordinator, Leigh, thinks this would have to be the single, most asked question by a great number of our 224 Brisbane branch volunteers! Has anyone seen Margaret?
Margaret is an articulate, chatty, happy, intelligent, much loved woman with an extraordinary memory. Margaret has been a friend of Rosies on and off since 2012.
She remembers any date and name you have ever cared to share with her. Birthdays, anniversaries and not just yours…your family’s too!
Margaret will tell you funny stories, like the time she gave the Stafford policeman a run for his money when he asked her if she knew where she lived and she replied ‘yes I do’!
In my time as Branch coordinator I have been asked if anyone has seen this much loved friend of ours many times. The question appears on the whiteboard, via emails, or when we’re out on outreach.
It didn’t take long for the Rosies extended network of past and present volunteers to find out recently that our beloved Margaret was on her way from a stay in hospital to a transitional home. As Scott [pictured] pointed out, Margaret is probably in the best place possible for her circumstances, but she felt she had lost all control, including her connection with Rosies. Luckily we have reconnected with her again through a home visit.Margaret is just one of many friends who touch our hearts on our Brisbane outreaches.
Some make us laugh, some make us worry, and some even make us frustrated
at times! All, like Margaret, have become our friends.
Whether they are on the street or in a temporary home, the time I see our Rosies volunteers spend with our friends, is invaluable. I am so proud and grateful to be a part of Rosies. And a special thank you to Margaret for keeping us on our toes and making us smile!
I take part in as many Rosies outreaches as I possibly can. I am astonished to see so much generosity and goodwill from participants.
How beautiful to see the warm hearts at work! How beautiful it is to see such willingness from everyone to set up a peaceful venue where all of us can meet, talk, and share our stories, challenges, and happiness in life. This is the face of mercy. People who gather at an outreach come from such a variety of backgrounds. I am actually amazed to even see how diverse our team of volunteers are. Some might be business owners, others bakers, cooks, or university students. It does not matter once they team up under the same Rosies T-shirt and equally support one other.
The human heart is made to love and mercy is the expression of this love. Mercy reveals itself once the person disregards what sets him or her apart from a brother or sister and looks sincerely into the eyes of this other person. Mercy relies on understanding, patience, and compassion.
Rosies outreaches are a perfect way to put our mercy into practice. One can meet a perfect stranger, and yet give this person the time to listen; the time to talk. It is about acknowledging a person for who he or she is, a human being. This contributes to bringing one’s dignity back.
Fr John David OMI
Rosies Chaplain
My favourite tuckshop lunch at school growing up (in chilly Toowoomba) was a hot mince roll. Recently I had the opportunity to speak to a number of school groups and it struck me that Rosies is a bit like school tuckshop.
You line up and have a chat with a friend as you wait.
You are served by a volunteer – somebody’s mum or dad.
You sit down in random spaces with whoever’s company you like.
Some days are hot and sweaty, some are cold and windy.
Some kids are on their own and some the centre of attention.
Sound familiar? Of course a major difference on a Rosies outreach is that those who line up don’t have $5 or $10 to spend … today or tomorrow.
They may also not have a warm bed to sleep in after. Most of all they may have no one other than a volunteer to share their day’s activities, joys and worries.
Because our volunteers are part of a regular team they have become friends on the street, not just random passers-by. Friendship is better than a hot mince roll but they go well together.
Thanks again for your support this winter.
Andrew O’Brien
Rosies General Manager
Winter is a distressing time for our friends on the street. It’s cold outside. It’s the season when, as I tuck myself into my warm bed, I often think what it must be like to be sleeping on the ground with only my clothes or a thin blanket to keep the cold away. Sleepless nights are common for our friends in these conditions.
I am also reminded, as the statistics highlighted in this edition show, of the importance of the sense of community that our teams of wonderful volunteers provide to our many friends. Thank you.
I am happy to report that our Branch coordinators met with our State Office Support team on Saturday, 23 April 2016.
Everyone shared their knowledge and experiences as part of the implementation of our Strategic planning activities. It was truly amazing to hear their stories of inspiration that you, our supporters and wonderful volunteers, create. We look forward to working together to implement the initiatives that were raised at our forum.
Finally, I would like to invite you to join us at our special celebratory Mass on Monday, 8 August 2016 at the Cathedral of St Stephen. I hope to see you there.
John Scoble
Rosies Board Chair
Find out how you can get involved.
Rosies provided over 1,000 friends – who were at risk of or who were homeless, or simply lonely – each week with a cuppa and a chat with
our volunteer friend. Thanks to you we distributed donated items including a bite to eat for each of our friends, over 1,200 blankets, thousands of hygiene products, 120 plus backpack beds, and more. Rosies also started outreach services in Nerang, Atherton, and with Wynnum Manly coming soon. Your donation pledge over 3-5 years will enable Rosies the flexibility to plan for our future and respond to unexpected needs and ensure our sustainability. Make a difference to real people, real stories.
As winter approaches, imagine sleeping rough without any protection from the elements.
At least one in ten of us will sleep rough in our lifetime. It could be you, it could be me, or it could be someone you know.
And it’s cold outside.
As John, one of our many friends’ story highlights, being homeless often leads to feelings of fear, anxiety, and social withdrawal. The sense of isolation that comes from not feeling part of our community can cause us to withdraw even further from activities critical to our well-being.
1st to 7th August is Homelessness Prevention Week. Whilst many organisations are increasingly providing awareness, support, and referral, the greater human need is for friendship and unconditional acceptance during such difficult times. Our wonderful volunteers aim to do just that, fostering a socially inclusive community at our many outreaches.
You make the difference to those who are homeless, at risk of homelessness or simply lonely. Inspiring dignity with a friend, one cuppa at the time…
Hold your own cuppa event this Winter and help Rosies support those who sleep rough this Winter.
Rosies is honoured to have the ongoing support of our Patrons representing our many friends His Excellency the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd) Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia and the Honourable Mrs Leneen Forde AC.
Their Excellencies, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove most kindly attended our Reception to thank our 150 Rosies invited representative volunteers and major supporters. It was an absolute privilege to be joined by their Excellencies at our nearby outreach following the Reception.
The event was held at the Cathedral of St Stephen’s precinct on Saturday, 21 May 2016. The date of the Reception was of particular significance to Rosies as it is the feast day of St Eugene de Mazenod, founder of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. The Honourable Mrs Forde sent her warmest regards and thanks to all who were able to attend and to all of Rosies friends who, like herself could not be present.
Rosies is deeply grateful and inspired by the ongoing support of our Patrons. Thank you.
