Over the weekend, Community Outreach volunteers took part in a two day project renovating Youth Project’s CBD centre, located in Hoiser Lane.
This included replacing all the carpets, painting and creating fresh new spaces for visitors and those involved in the organisation.
Youth Projects provides assistance to some of Melbourne’s most disadvantaged men and women. Their CBD centre helps thousands of homeless people each year with medical and other forms of support.
Latest statistics show the rate of homelessness in Australia has increased by eight per cent in the last five years.
According to Community Outreach co-founder, Spencer Bignell, the government has “contributed a substantial amount of money each year” but it hasn’t been enough to meet the needs of the homeless in Melbourne.
Community Outreach was founded in 2008 and since then it has focused on lending a hand to families, organisations and communities.
“There’s a certain feeling you get from knowing you have done something for someone without expecting them to give you anything back,” says Bignell.
“When you put your time and energy into something with full understanding that all you will get back is the experience and the memories, that is what really enhances our lives.”
Images: Spencer Bignell
Song: When you touch
Artist: Timphony
Ivana Krsteska is a third year Bachelor of Journalism student at La Trobe University and a staff writer for upstart. You can follow her on Twitter: @Ivana_Krsteska
