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More than just a hair cut

Going to the hairdresser always leaves you feeling refreshed and ready to take on the world, but many of us take the service for granted.

For some, especially those living on the street or in other forms of accommodation, getting a haircut is right out of their price range.But, thanks to local Brisbane hairstylist Stacey Bedrick, Rosies Friends of the Street patrons are able to enjoy that salon experience for free. She heads down to meet the Rosies crew at the Churches of Christ Pantry Assist Program in Annerley every six weeks and for two hours, spends time cutting hair and speaking to the patrons. For the past two years, she’s worked with Hair Aid, which is how she became involved with Rosies.“I was drawn to (charity work) because I’ve got the time and the skill and I thought I can do this,” she said. “I love meeting all the patrons that come here and have a chat with them.”

One of Stacey’s regular guests, Andrew, said the free haircuts went a long way in his predicament.“ It’s great when you get someone who does a really good job like Stacey. I’ve been in this hardship for nine years and when you do something like get a haircut it’s emotional and psychological, it’s not just a haircut. There’s practical things I need it for like appearance -when I talk to Stacey and we discuss style, it’s about trying to land a job and that’s damn hard.”

Valma is another guest who had her hair cut by Stacey during her visit to the pantry assist. “I’ve been meaning get it done for a couple of months,” she said. “It’s very hard for me to get out and about and the way that things have been I just go to about four different places and I don’t travel around too much. (When it gets hard) one of the things you forget about is your hair.“ I used to trim mine myself, but I have arthritis and I can’t lift my arm up to cut it anymore so it’s just been left. But it will be looking good after Stacey’s done with it!”

Lenny said Stacey was the most important person he’d come to see when he arrived at outreach. “I didn’t have a haircut for a whole year last year because it’s expensive and I’ve got bills to pay,” he said.

It was the pantry assist program that initially brought Rita to the Rosies van, but she also had her hair done. “I usually cut it myself because I had a perm but I am happy with the way that Stacey cuts my hair,” she said. Rita said she also enjoyed the community feel of outreach. “I’m happy to keep coming back, the people are very friendly and the social interaction is good.”

It is through partnering with organisations like Hair Aid that we can connect our patrons with additional services that can improve their self-esteem, health, and wellbeing.

 

By Kate Schmidt

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Tiny “volunteers” with big hearts

Mackenzie pictured with Brisbane Branch Coordinator Sarah Corbett

When Brent started volunteering with Rosies in 2018 he had no idea how much his girls Mackenzie and Sierra would want to get involved.

“I’m a school teacher and went along with the senior students to an outreach down the Gold Coast and had a really wonderful experience, and I wanted to keep giving back so I started volunteering with the Brisbane branch”

Brent and his daughters were familiar with Rosies and had even stopped to chat to volunteers and patrons while admiring Christmas light displays in their local community. Once Mackenzie learned that her father was going to volunteer with Rosies regularly she too wanted to be involved and connect with patrons on outreach. However, due to her age (Mackenzie is 10 and Sierra just 7), she couldn’t attend outreach so she took it upon herself to organise donation drives for Rosies.

Mackenzie, a student at a local Brisbane primary school approached the principal with her idea and started hosting regular donation drives for toiletries and noodles. Mackenzie and Sierra then collect all of the items and present them to our Brisbane branch for use on outreach.

Brent said “The girls, particularly Mackenzie, are very socially minded they just want to help people in any way that they can. These girls are going to change the world they live in”

Mackenzie has also found other ways to spread the mission of Rosies to others until she’s old enough to formally volunteer her time. She regularly visits an elderly resident in her neighbourhood for morning tea and a chat.

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Loved Queensland Mission Outreach appoints new CEO

The Oblates of Mary Immaculate and Rosies’ Board have announced the appointment of Ms Jayne Shallcross as the new Chief Executive Officer of Rosies.

Acting Rosies Chair Fr Michael Twigg OMI said Ms Shallcross’ appointment followed a thorough and independent process featuring “a high-quality field of candidates who wished to join our mission”.

“At all times, the care and support of the entire Rosies community; patrons, volunteers, team leaders, branch coordinators, staff, donors and supporters has been at the front of our minds and hearts.”

“We’re very pleased to announce Jayne’s appointment. She brings significant experience and proven skills, and a loving heart into this role as we continue to build upon the work of Rosies over more than three decades,” Fr Michael said.

“Jayne is a former Rosies’ Board member so she brings great insights to this position. Jayne was chosen for her passionate and deep spiritual connection with the Oblate Charism, our Catholic community and Rosies’ mission.”

Ms Shallcross is an experienced senior executive who is passionate about making an impact in the areas of homelessness and social isolation, particularly in this challenging time of COVID-19. Jayne has a strong record in leadership, strategic development and operational management with significant experience in corporate and not-for-profit sectors (nationally and internationally). Jayne is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds a Masters’ of Business Administration (MBA) and a Bachelor in Business Administration (Finance and Economics). Jayne is also Acting Chair, Chair of the Risk Committee and member of the Finance Committee at Duchesne College (UQ).

Ms Shallcross replaces Rosies’ General Manager, Deacon Andrew O’Brien, who accepted a role as Director with the Archdiocese of Brisbane, working with our Archbishop Mark Coleridge. To support Rosies’ during a transitional time, the Board appointed an Acting Chief Executive Officer to maintain the leadership of Rosies’ operations whilst the Oblates and Board reviewed the strategic focus of the General Manager role.

During this time the Oblates and Board also reviewed their strategic plan with a reignited focus on their vision to expand Rosies’ community reach and mission. This resulted in the General Manager role being restructured into a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) role. This new CEO role is the result of consultation, research and communication with the Rosies’ community. The new CEO role will work closely with the Oblates and Board to:

  • align the community to the mission, faith values and purpose;
  • build commercial capability to ensure future sustainability of the organisation; and
  • continually drive operational efficiency and engagement with staff, volunteers and patrons.

“We wish Jayne well in further building on Rosies’ strong foundations of people and community sharing the Oblate spirit of daring and of being true friends to those in need,” Fr Michael said.

“We have been guided by our vision, with a purpose to provide ongoing and meaningful leadership connection with the Oblates and community well into the next phase of the Rosies’ mission. We thank all who support the Rosies vision and mission. We appreciate all the time and effort that our community takes in making Rosies such an important and wonderful charity during such challenging times.”
To celebrate this new chapter in the Rosies journey, you are invited to pray the Rosies Prayer with us.

O Jesus,
Make our hearts so human,
That others may feel at home with us,

So like Yours,
That others may feel at home with you,

So forgetful of self
that we might simply become the place
where You and they meet

In the power of Your Love and the joy of
Your friendship.

Amen
Fr Michael Twigg

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Thank you to our wonderful schools

We are very grateful to the many schools that support us all year round. We are especially thankful for their help over the winter months during which we go through a lot of supplies.

In Far North Queensland and despite school holidays, St Augustine’s College students and staff attended our outreach. They came along with their generous donations of soup, noodles and blankets. Further south, our Caboolture coordinator, Helen visited St Benedict’s Primary School at Mango Hill to talk to the year 3’s about Rosies. Students were very interested in the Rosies story and asked lots of good questions. Students brought donations to the Rosies van, which quickly overflowed with outreach supplies. Meanwhile, our Gold Coast coordinator, Kathleen visited St Francis Xavier Primary School to collect non perishable food and instant coffee for our friends on the street.

Rosies Wynnum Manly hosted its first Christmas on the Street outreach this month. Students from Iona College donated some presents to handout to the homeless as ‘Christmas in July’ gifts.

In Brisbane Rod from McDonald’s Bracken Ridge paid us a visit at the local Homeless Connect. Rod has been regularly supporting Rosies Brisbane for over a year. Rod brought us an INCREDIBLE amount of coffee, tea, sugar, cups, napkins, cookies, drinking chocolate and heaps more.  Fingers & Forks and Priestley’s Gourmet Delights both made delicious donations of sandwiches/wraps/ burgers and yummy cheese cakes to hand out on the street. Our patrons loved them!

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A memorable time

The Gold Coast Annual Christmas Party was once again a great success.  Patrons came from far and wide to join with Rosies to celebrate this special time of year. Special thanks to Nonna’s, Ardent Leisure (QI) and Gold Coast Community Fund for being the main sponsor. A huge thanks to Bekkie O’Connor for being our awesome singer who stepped in at only a few hours notice. A great time was enjoyed by all.

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New life in Beenleigh

New life in Beenleigh. It started with our first Christmas outreach in 2016 and has blossomed in 2017. The support of Logan Village Family Favourites Bakery and the Sikh community along with Chatswood Hills Sate School and some wonderful families has been crucial in catering for a growing number of patrons. Bob, a regular patron, has taken on the role of photographer capturing the smiling faces of the young patrons receiving their gifts.

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Flexibility and efficiency.

Our volunteers in Mareeba are a flexible bunch responding to shifting community dynamics. For the last half of 2016 they joined with other groups to support a new outreach venture in a different part of town. Now that is established, they are back in their usual spot near the skate park and the young patrons are pleased.

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Justice and Mission Expo

Rosies will be present at the annual Justice and Mission Expo on Tuesday 21 February 2017 at Iona College.

This year is focusing on “Respectful Relationships”. “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.” (Matthew 7:12)

Rosies is looking to meet with the students and share with them some of our stories on the street.

 

 

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We are back…

…and it’s our birthday! Rosies is turning 30 this year. Read how it all started from Rosebud in Victoria to Schoolies on the Gold Coast in 1987.

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Thank you to our schools!

web-friends-on-the-street-schoolsGoodstart Learning in Wynnum and St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Ipswich both led amazing supply drives to support their respective local Rosies branch. St Andrew’s Catholic College in Cairns (pictured) held their annual ‘In Da Hood’ Sleep Out fundraiser. St Columban’s College in Caboolture, San Sisto College and Loreto College Coorparoo in Brisbane, Silkwood School and Assisi Catholic College on the Gold Coast all have made a difference to support Rosies and our many friends on the street by raising funds for their local branch.
Whether childcare centres, primary schools, or high schools, without our wonderful student community support we would struggle to have the basics needed to reach out to our many friends on the street.

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