LJ Hooker’s Gold Coast offices have saddled-up to help the estimated 4,000 residents who call the streets their ‘home’, at the Gold Coast Turf Club’s Stakes Day on November 7.
The leading real estate network has partnered with Rosies, to raise funds for the volunteer based not for profit organisation to support people who are marginalised within our community – especially those who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or simply lonely.
LJ Hooker Ormeau Principal Nicole Hintz said that people were at the centre of all that both organisations do. At its core, real estate is ultimately about helping people find a home they can call their own. It is a basic human need. And the concept of home sits at the very heart of what makes a strong community.
“Our network’s founder, Sir Leslie Hooker, famously said ‘real estate is not about property – it’s about people’,” said Mrs Hintz.
“From Ormeau to Coolangatta, each day LJ Hooker helps people find a home that suits their needs and where they can happily live. But there’s a portion of the Gold Coast’s community for which that’s an aspiration that is sadly out of reach.
“’This is just the beginning of a longer term friendship we are investigating with Rosies with a view to making a positive impact,” she said.
Rosies started on the Gold Coast in 1987 as a youth mission. They are the longest service community organisation with the Schoolies Week safety program. Andrew O’Brien, Rosies General Manager, said that tonight it is estimated some 4,000 Gold Coasters are homeless. Youth homelessness, in particular, continues to be seen as an important local issue.
“Rosies aims to acknowledge human dignity and inspire an increased self-reliance, and it’s amazing what a simple cuppa, bite to eat, and a chat can do,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Almost 100 volunteers provided over 650 connections with our friends during one cold July week alone on the Gold Coast – that’s a 1,000 cuppas for Rosies,” he said.
The growing partnership with LJ Hooker will also provide education and awareness, which play a vital role in prevention and support and are at the core of Rosies aims. Rosies has a long established youth program involving a number of local schools.
Tonight, 20,000 Queenslanders are homeless. Most people are not homeless by choice. It is their only option. Often they are hidden. Once started homelessness can become a cycle, especially when young. Over 95% of Rosies work is funded through kind donations from our local communities. Support from friendships like this with LJ Hooker make the difference.You can too.
It is as simple as having a cuppa for Rosies.
