Surf club to support Coast Shelter youth cottage
Killcare Surf Life Saving Club has decided to support Coast Shelter's Woy Woy Youth Cottage.
It has organised "Santa Sacks" for each of the young people in the local shelter.
"Coast Shelter has been doing incredible work with the community's homeless for over 25 years and we're proud to be able to partner with them this Christmas, in particular their Woy Woy Youth Shelter which caters specifically to 14 to 20 year olds," said club president Mr Peter Bagnall.
"Woy Woy Youth Cottage's primary focus for each resident is to work through their crisis in a safe and supportive environment," Mr Bagnall said.
"Where appropriate, residents under the age of 16 will be encouraged to reconcile with their families," he said.
"If other residents also wish to repair family breakdown, they will be supported to do so.
"Where reconciliation is not appropriate, staff will assist residents to find independent housing and provide the necessary supports to ensure their tenancy can be sustained.
"This Christmas, we're organising a 'santa sack' each for the youth in our local shelter and transitional cottages."
The Surf Club encouraged members to help contribute to what the residents living in the college really wanted for Christmas.
"These are real people with real stories so we've spoken to the program director and Killcare locals who are both support officers at the cottage to find out what they would like and need," he said.
Surf club members were invited to donate gifts and attach Christmas cards using the donor's own name to let the recipient know who the gift was from.
"This can be the beginning of the important process of forming real connections between our club's extended family and local youth in need."
Members were also encouraged to donate money via a box at the beach kiosk to go toward nine $50 Killcare Beach Kiosk Credit Cards that they could use when they visited the beach and worked alongside club members to learn new skills and have new positive experiences.
"Just showing people in crisis that someone gives a damn can be a big help."
The young people being accommodated in the Woy Woy Youth Cottage included an 18-year-old young man who and enjoyed rugby league and wanted to learn to surf.
Another was aged 13 and liked watching DVDs.
Another was a 16 year old boy who loved cats and animals.
Another was a 17-year-old girl who said she liked anime.
A 15-year-old girl said she loved clothes (black, size 14).
An 18-year-old young woman said she would love some body care products. Another was into outdoor activities.
A 21-year-old woman said she liked trinkets, small home furnishings, including candles.
A 20-year-old woman said she would like small furnishings to decorate her new accommodation.
"Our small acts of kindness have positive ripple effects," Mr Bagnall said.
SOURCE:
Newsletter, 15 Dec 2017
Peter Bagnall, Killcare Surf Life Saving Club