HAVING been homeless himself, Horowai Rameka realises the value of things that many take for granted – a shower and place to wash clothes.
Now the leader of the Redland Community Centre’s Homeless United program, Mr Rameka is helping people across Redlands who are sleeping rough, or couch surfing.
The program provides dinner on weekdays, and breakfast on Saturday and Sunday, to about 20 people a day from the centre at Capalaba.
Centre manager Allison Wicks said the project had helped about 80 people in six months.
“The program was not designed to fix homelessness,” Ms Wicks said.
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“It is to build resilience and capacity, and to help people until they decide what next step they can take.
“We help to raise their self-confidence so they can feel human again.”
Ms Wicks said the program was not funded but cost about $2000 a week.
“We are very passionate about it – and it’s too important – so we will continue to do what we can on a shoestring,” she said.
The largest demographic supported by the program are men between the ages of 22 and 30 because there are few services available for them.
For information or to financially support the project, contact Allison Wicks or Rebecca Patterson at Redland Community Centre on 3245 2117.