A light in the night

fr johnAt the recent World Youth Day in Krakow the Pope addressed young people asking them to become the ‘hope for the future’. He challenged them in two ways. Firstly, he asked them to engage with their elders by listening to their real or mythical stories. Parents and other older people have great wisdom to share. All we need is to spend time listening, and asking. The Pope then encouraged them to have the courage to make a difference in the world by getting actively involved in our society.
Let us reflect on our mission as we prepare for Schoolies. Rosies offers a presence, and gives an ear to our friends on the street. We listen with an open heart. Whether it is at Schoolies, on the street, in courts, or detention centre we engage with them. The people we meet have the courage to be who they are and brave enough to share their stories with us. Courage is also what it takes to commit. Our volunteers are committed to go out regularly and meet with our many friends on the street regardless of the temperature or the weather. Rosies has been committed to come and offer our presence to the many teenagers as part of the Safety Program at the Gold Coast Schoolies week for nearly thirty years. Persistence and patience are wonderful virtues, I witness on outreach.

Fr John David OMI
Rosies Chaplain

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My Rosies insight – an eye opening experience

Lenesha from Marymount College on the Gold Coast shared with us her experience with Rosies as part of our Student Engagement Program.
While initially reluctant, Lenesha agreed to get invovled with Rosies as part of her social program. She joined our team at the Rosies’ drop in centre in Southport. Her experience with us broke a few prejudices…
“The gratefulness and kindness that our friends gave us was so incredible, I was really moved by how they all look after each other and how they put others before themsleves. They taught me that it doesn’t matter how rich or poor you are, appreciating what you have is more than enough. Their kindness and happiness is beyond words. I met so many lovely people who were all so kind and bubbly, and it really moved me, because even though they don’t have as much as others, they still find something to be thankful for.
Rosies was an incredible life changing, inspiring, eye opening experience that has taught me so many things in so many different ways and I’m so thankful I had the opportunity to give it a go.”

Find out more about our Student and Engagement Program.

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Art from the Street – by Masterpiece You

A few outreaches ago we met Cahala, also known as ‘Masterpiece you’ – the title of one of his poems. The artist has been homeless for the past five years. He often recalls Canberra and its sub-zero temperatures during winter 2013. The cold did not hold his contemplative mind.
“I believe that we are all masterpieces, including amoeba, grasshoppers and even Ivan Milat. The only significant differences between humans is how we present ourselves…our curation of ourselves each day…indeed each moment.”
Cahala grew up in the country near Toowoomba. His dad was an academic and a farmer. As a poet to be, he undertook a degree in Business at QUT (QIT back then). He graduated and owned a small business for 11 years on the Gold Coast until his marriage broke down.
“I’ve not had any contact whatsoever for the last 5 years with my kids who are now 22 and 18. I am so looking forward to seeing them again sometime.”
Our friend has been roaming since then. Cahala fuels his inspiration with the environment that surrounds him.
“While the artificial world is far far more corrupted and hijacked by huge money interests most people grasp…our natural world is also far, far more awesome, more powerful and more beautiful than most people grasp also. Our mission is to focus on 5 things I believe… truth seeking, love, compassion, forgiveness and smelling the plural of flower…and then we may have a revolution between our ears and within our heart.”

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Message from our Chair

Rosies Chairman John ScobleI have been reading a book about simplicity as seen through the eyes of St Therese of Lisieux, Mother Teresa, and Dorothy Day. It emphasises finding joy, and God in the everyday simple things. Joy in things like a smile, a good deed, or a listening ear.
I recall an early Rosies experience. I approached a young boy of about 10 at our Logan outreach. He told me he had been kicked out of home because his mother and sister didn’t want him. He was sad and withdrawn. Our outreach provided him an opportunity to connect and be accepted for who he was. Later in the evening I observed an older, more confident boy reaching out to offer support. They left together. I have not seen him since, which in this instance was a good thing as he found support.
Experiences such as this are why we at Rosies continue to re-think our approach to youth homelessness, both in terms of our direct services and also through improving relationships with other providers, such as the police, government, and local area services. Our presence and connection makes a difference at a time when many need it most.
This is especially so now as Australia’s treatment of youth is unfortunately again under the spotlight through the widely publicised Darwin ‘incident’. A time when we are all called to consider what contribution we are making individually and collectively to address youth issues by doing simple things every day. I hope you will take a moment to make it a positive thing, much like our wonderful community are doing as highlighted in this edition.
Finally, a big thank you to all our volunteers and supporters on the recent opening of our new Wynnum Manly Branch in July/August.

John Scoble
Rosies Board Chair

Find out how you can get involved

 

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Young lives …

I struggled for some weeks to write this column. It reminded me that our patrons often struggle to find the words to express what’s happening in their lives.
In August our local church marked the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan with a special ceremony in the Sunday liturgy. The brother of one of our parishioners died in that battle at the age of 21. It caused me to reflect how she had lost the companionship of her brother for most of her life and the pain she must feel. It’s not too hard for me to imagine, as my eldest brother was in the conscription lottery and I have three young adult sons.
A number of our patrons and their families suffer greatly from the effects of having been to conflict zones. You, our volunteers and supporters, not only have listening ears but more importantly listening hearts which reach out to share their pain. I see it in the empathy so evident in the faces and hands of our volunteers. I sense it in the heartfelt notes attached to donations. I feel it in the warmth of gifts delivered from all across Queensland for our patrons.
Rosies is looking to how we can better collaborate with other organisations whose specific mission is to assist ex-service men and women. Thank you for your continued efforts as part of the Rosies family and especially to our students and young volunteers.
In the Long Tan camp the soldiers erected a cross believing there is hope beyond the pain and death. Sometimes words aren’t necessary but the love of a friend is.
May I also take a moment to mark the 200th OMI celebration mass held on 8 August. What a wonderful milestone for our Ministry.

Andrew O’Brien
Rosies General Manager

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Supporting youth since 1987

Rosies started as a youth mission, commencing on the Gold Coast in 1987 to support youth at risk. Today, we continue to engage with youth across Queensland through education, awareness, and volunteer programs. Our wonderful volunteers undertake youth detention centre visits, provide support at youth BBQs, student engagement programs and activities, affordable food baskets for individuals and families, intergenerational programs, and more. These all play a vital role in prevention and support when needed most. Find out how you can get involved.

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Rest and Recover at Schoolies

It has been a ritual for the last 29 years. Rosies is the longest serving community organisation at the schoolies safety program. We collaborate with State Government and Gold Coast City Council’s comprehensive safety and support program to make Schoolies Week as safe as possible. About 50 Rosies volunteers have signed up to a renamed Schoolies Rest & Recharge Zone outreach. Our teams will be present each night until midnight over the week long celebration (19-25 November). Rosies will provide free mobile water supply while interacting and reassuring teenagers. Our volunteers are trained to respond to offer support, information and refer to other services if need be. The Rest and Recharge Zone is a place where teenagers can sit, relax, and recharge.

gold coast schoolies - safety response

Rosies Rest & Recharge Schoolies outreach at Gold Coast Schoolies Week 19-25 Nov

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Inspirational ideas – our creative schools’ initiatives

Iona red lace daySince the time Rosies was formed in Queensland, we have been fortunate our schools support us in many ways. Initially through their student-power , and resources, but now in so many different ways. We have seen some very creative initiatives from our Student Engagement Schools in the last few months. Lourdes Hill College and Villanova College in Brisbane held a High Tea and a Walk4Rosies, Iona College in Wynnum had a Red Shoe Lace Day, while Moreton Bay College in Manly organised a house fundraising activity, Marymount College on the Gold Coast had a Rosies Have a Heart Day, St Ursula’s in Toowoomba and St Andrew’s Catholic College in Cairns both held a sleepout.
We would love to hear from you if your school organises an activity to support Rosies and our many friends on the street. Pledge your support online or contact us at [email protected]

Start your own cuppa event this Spring!

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My Rosies Story – making a difference in Brisbane city

Driven by an ardent desire to make a difference Rosies Team Leader (TL) Nicki joined us ten years ago.
“It’s not always easy as an individual to reach people in those situations (it’s impossible to help everyone), but being part of Rosies gives you that coordinated approach and makes you feel you are contributing to the well being of the community.”
For Nicki being present and showing compassion without making any judgement is the very foundation of a Rosies outreach. It is only human to develop bonds with people we regularly meet.
“The other day I was quite concerned for one of our friends. He needed almost everything, including blankets and essentials. He said he had been beaten up and that all his things were stolen. I offered him a clothing voucher and a food voucher to help him out. He wasn’t keen on going to the doctor because the last time he went they kept him in for testing for a couple of days before they released him. It broke my heart…to think he may not get the care he needed because he was afraid to put himself at risk of psyche testing. That was a reality check, because Rosies outreach can be a really up beat experience, we try to make it as fun as possible, so you sometimes forget how vulnerable our friends are”.
Luckily we also collaborate with other organisations who provide the support we don’t, such as medical services or clothes washing.
“You don’t always feel the immediate impacts of what we do, but I have seen their (our friends’) disappointment, when we’ve had to tell them, that due to extraordinary conditions we could not make the outreach. Or if a new patron should have a gripe or grievance, our regulars are the first to rush to our defence. They are so appreciative and so grateful, that we know we make a difference. My previous team leader used to say to all our students, that our friends love Rosies at every pre-brief, I was often dubious … but you know what… I think they really do”.

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An inspiring young leader

an inspiring young leaderBen Begg from St Andrew’s Lutheran College on the Gold Coast made an amazing plea to support Rosies and our many friends. The 17 year old had previously taken part in our Student Engagement Program on the Gold Coast with his college.
“Last year I went to Southport on a Friday night as a volunteer with my teacher Graeme Schache and Rosies. I saw that what we did, although it seems at first a small and simple thing, had a very big impact on the homeless community and I thought there might be a way to support this.”
The highly motivated student seized the opportunity to improve the well-being of the local homeless population as a member of the Leo’s Club, a school organisation related to Lions Club. Ben pledged to make a difference and successfully obtained a $5,000 grant in support of Rosies and our many friends on the street. The money was allocated to purchase backpack beds and a fridge for our Southport drop in centre.
“I wouldn’t say I’m selfless, I’m just grateful to have a chance like this to help out and hopefully make someone’s life just that little bit better.”
To all students who take part in the Rosies’ Student Engagement Program, Ben advises to appreciate the difference each and all of them make just by being present.
“Just have fun with it, the Rosies members are very experienced and will help you if you feel a bit out of your depth. It’s a great time and you have pretty entertaining conversations with a lot of different people. You’d be amazed at how much a little visit with some good food and a chat can help.”

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