Metricon Stadium will become a one-stop-shop for those impacted by homelessness across the Gold Coast next month when Homeless Connect is again staged at the venue.
Now in its seventh year and second year at Metricon Stadium, the event allows homeless people from across the city to get in touch with a variety of community services, including health and wellbeing, legal advice and counselling.
They will also have the chance to enjoy a spot of pampering with haircuts and manicures on offer.
Gold Coast SUNS Chief Operating Officer, Andrew Travis, said the event was vital to support people throughout the region who are struggling from day-to-day and also to increase visibility of the issue of homelessness.
“The main role we can bring is awareness to the issue,” Travis said.
“It’s such an important issue here on the Gold Coast.”
Gold Coast acting Mayor Donna Gates said homelessness is a growing problem with around 800 people in the city sleeping on the streets and a variety of other places each night.
“Last year it was a fantastic day where hundreds of people came out and were able to take advantage of really great services, given freely, to assist them,” acting Mayor Gates said.
Gold Coast Salvation Army area manager David Thompson praised the generosity of locals leading in to the event.
“We’ve got more than we actually had last year, which is a surprise because we know people are doing it tough at the moment,” Thompson said.
“But whilst there is a need, I’m grateful that the people of the Gold Coast do actually keep giving.
“That’s the important thing.”
The one-day event is on August 6. Items can be donated at the following centres:
- Gold Coast SUNS offices
- The Gold Coast Customer Service Centres (Nerang and Surfers Paradise)
- Upper Coomera Community Centre
- Elanora Library
- Runaway Bay Library
- ABC Gold Coast studios in Mermaid Waters
- ABC Stores at Robina and Helensvale
