What started as a small addition to a single outreach has become a big, beautiful partnership between Rosies and the Kela Foundation. The children-focused Foundation began sponsoring Toowoomba’s Wednesday evening outreach in 2023, serving a nutritious barbecue to almost 50 of our regular patrons, many being children under 12.

With the Foundation’s support, our Toowoomba team has collaborated with other local services to add more outreaches that cater to underprivileged and at-risk youth in the local area. These include the Monday Night After Dark Program, Youth Games and the St Thomas More’s Breakfast Club.

We are delighted that the Kela Foundation has extended its support to our Ipswich branch this year and is funding lunch box items like poppers, muesli bars and chips to help our young patrons feel like they fit in. The absence of poppers and chips in a lunch box might not seem essential but for the young people and their families who attend Rosies and are experiencing hard times, it is just another example of how they are different from
their peers.

“If something so small can help these young people feel like they belong, how can we not provide it?” asks Ipswich volunteer branch coordinator Barry Reinecker.

Funds from the Kela Foundation have also purchased sporting equipment and board games for our young
patrons to play with our Youth Engagement Program (YEP) members.

“It can be eye-opening for the students from our YEP schools to see their peers on outreach and they have often asked about playing games with those who attend. The horseshoes and balls are a great way to bridge the gap between the students and young patrons, especially if they are new to outreach,” Barry says.

We are so grateful for our friends at the Kela Foundation and their commitment to helping our young patrons.

Find out more about their great work at kelafoundation.org