The 2020 Christmas spirit shone a light on those in need in Noosa, with random acts of kindness from locals warming the hearts of those needing a hand up.
A Noosa allied health professional chose to gift a dozen clients down on their luck and finances, a family hamper dropped anonymously on their doorstep.
Similarly, a generous shopper waiting in line at a retail store came to the rescue of a distressed parent whose bank card was declined, with a quick swipe of his own debit card.
A legal firm with heart gifted backyard sports equipment for children in foster care and then negotiated a free trampoline deal for the children from a local manufacturer.
The inaugural Noosa Mayor’s Christmas Appeal, and the well established Adopt a Family Appeal for Sunshine Coast-Noosa families doing it tough at Christmas, enabled local charities to on-gift community kindness to their service users.
Youturn at Tewantin with the generosity of community donors, gifted nearly 200 gifts, food hampers and several entertainment experiences to young people and children this Christmas.
The aim was to give young people, many of whom are under employed in local service and construction industries, a break from their everyday stresses, Youturn Donor Relations Manager, Susan Beaton said.
“Low income, irregular work, driving a cheap car which breaks down, no family or financial back-up and debt traps such as After Pay to meet the high cost of living and responsibilities as a young parent, is the cycle of disadvantage we often see in our homelessness services,“ Susan said.
“To receive kindness from anonymous donors, when things are tough and you are trying so hard, has been a huge pick-me-up … it’s not about getting stuff but feeling someone care.“
According to Youturn many different religious faiths and church groups have quietly and selflessly given to people in need this Christmas either by giving to their charity or other local charities they work alongside in the community sector.
Noosa Coastal Uniting Church have been giving to Youturn under the Adopt a Family appeal for over ten years and through good old-fashioned word of mouth their support has grown year on year, church member Ruth Wisehart said.
“We chose to support Youturn (formely United Synergies) as the local youth charity that operates with no advertising budget but just quietly get things done,“ Ruth said.
“Our congregations at Sunrise Beach and Tewantin got on board, we then had conversations with the groups who rent our facilities and they became donors too, so each year support has grown to help meet the need.“
Increased interest in Queensland, already a popular destination for interstate migration, has pushed housing prices up and created fierce rental competition in Noosa-Sunshine Coast’s tight market, which impacts everyone, Youturn General Manager for Homelessness, Darce Foley said.
“People migrating from NSW and Victoria are taking on higher debt to move into Queensland … average incomes earners are forced to compete and pay more rent in a tight market, and low-income earners are being pushed into homelessness … everyone’s doing it tough in some way,“ Darce said.
Mortgage brokers for home loans and government Rent Connect schemes for rental tenants, stipulate only 30 per cent net weekly income (and no more) must be available to pay mortgage or rent costs to meet eligibility for support.
On this basis if you earn $1000 weekly net income you can afford to pay $330 in rent, however most local retail and hospitality employees don’t earn this much income and Noosa house rentals are more likely $800 plus.
Local business owners, from restaurateurs and tourist operators to retailers, have also experienced a drop in income with business closures and other Covid-19 impacts.
Gift a dining or entertainment experience to families was used by Youturn in their 2020 Christmas Appeal to support both local businesses trying to rebuild and young families doing it tough, Youturn CEO, Andrew Anderson said.
“Family beneficiaries were so grateful to the donors who gifted them an experience … overwhelmed by the kindness of strangers and opportunity to spend quality family time, while we hope in a small way it helps stimulate the local economy,” Andrew said.
Need across our community is expected to rise again in 2021 and Youturn in collaboration with Noosa Council, Unity Water, service clubs, church groups and sector partners will be rolling out additional supports in response.
Free weekly breakfasts in Tewantin, tenants skills training, children’s surf-wellbeing pilot, community pantry and street library, affordable tiny homes and upgraded laundry-shower facilities, are just some Youturn projects in 2021.
Throughout December and January, Youturn’s emergency relief (groceries, utilities and more) is available at Ernest Street Tewantin on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday mornings by dropping in or phoning 5442 4277 for an appointment.
