CITY READY FOR EVENT WITH HEART
GOLD Coasters from an incredibly diverse range of services and organisations will gather at Metricon Stadium today with one thing in mind – helping the homeless of our city.
Today’s 11th annual Gold Coast Homeless Connect will bring together volunteers from businesses offering the Coast’s most vulnerable their services and everything from food and clothing to medical and financial services – for free.
Co-founders of social enterprise Joining Hands, Kylie Lowe and Mark Teis, will be offering their services on the day, which Ms Lowe called a “one-stop shop”.
“They have access to food, clothing, blankets, haircuts, to service providers such as Centrelink, housing providers, legal services, then we have allied health – doctors, dentists and physio,” she said.
“We will be offering physio, massage and reflexology which is so important because often it’s the first time in years they will be touched that’s not violent.”
To be held from 7am until 2pm, there are buses going to the event from locations across the Gold Coast.
Mr Teis said it’s his “favourite day of the year”.
“Anyone who is experiencing homelessness or vulnerability is urged to come along,” he said.
“It allows people who can rarely relax to do just that in a comfortable and safe environment.
“It’s also about accessing services that they can’t usually bring themselves to do.”