Brisbane Youth Service Partners with Charter Hall and Investa to Expand Support for Vulnerable Young Families

May 21, 2024

Brisbane Youth Service (BYS) is thrilled to announce an exciting new partnership with Charter Hall and Investa, in collaboration with the innovative 360 Queen Street development. This exciting alliance marks a significant milestone in BYS’s mission to provide critical support and services for vulnerable young people and their children facing or experiencing homelessness.

“Our valued partners and supporters play a pivotal role in helping to provide critical supports and services for vulnerable young people and young families experiencing or facing homelessness. That’s why we are incredibly proud and grateful for the partnership forged with Charter Hall and Investa,” remarked Pam Barker, BYS CEO, expressing gratitude for the collaboration.

“As part of our commitment to the Brisbane community, we’re proud to announce Brisbane Youth Service as our charity partner at 360 Queen Street. We recognise that it’s been an especially hard few years for disadvantaged and vulnerable young Australians, as they battle higher levels of homelessness, domestic and family violence, financial insecurity, and mental health issues. Brisbane Youth Service and their incredible specialist programs have never been more critical and in demand. We’re looking forward to working with Brisbane Youth Service along with the support of our project partners to reach ambitious fundraising goals that will support their efforts to provide safe havens, support and resources for vulnerable young people and young families,” said Brad Norris, Regional Development Director Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia at Charter Hall.

Through this partnership, BYS aims to expand its reach and impact, ensuring that even more young people in need receive the vital support they require. The generous support from Charter Hall and Investa enables BYS to enhance its services, empowering the organisation to continue making a tangible and meaningful difference in the lives of those who need it most.

Transforming Spaces, Transforming Lives

Charter Hall and Investa have already been hard at work, recently playing a pivotal role in revitalising BYS’s new Young Women, Families, and Safe Relationships support centre. Joined by volunteers from their 360 Queen Street project partners, Hutchinson Builders and RCP Australia, they transformed the property into a safe and welcoming space for young women, young parents, and children experiencing homelessness and domestic and family violence.

“For young parents, navigating the complexities of parenthood can be immensely daunting, particularly if they lack a supportive environment. Our centre is more than just a physical space; for some of the young children that we work with it’s the only place where they have a decent play area and toys. For the parents, our centre can be a lifeline to a better future for them and their families,” emphasised Lou Baker, BYS Young Women, Families and Safe Relationships Senior Manager.

In addition to the renovation efforts, Charter Hall and Investa helped stock the pantry at BYS’s Fortitude Valley Hub this Christmas, collecting 50 shopping bags full of donated food and essential toiletries. These items helped to ensure that young people in need had access to essential supplies during the Christmas period.

Charter Hall and volunteers from their 360 Queen Street project partners, Hutchinson Builders and RCP Australia, at a working bee to transform the new Young Women, Families and Safe Relationships site.

Bright Futures Ahead

Partnerships like this serve as a testament to the transformative power of community-driven initiatives in uplifting the lives of our next generation. Together, we are paving the way for brighter futures, where all young people have the support and resources they need to thrive.

As we move forward, BYS, Charter Hall, and Investa are committed to continuing this vital work, creating a ripple effect of positivity and change in the lives of vulnerable young people. Stay tuned for more updates on how this partnership is making a lasting impact and shaping a better tomorrow for our youth.