About 400 Hunter and Central Coast families will benefit from rejuvenated crisis and transitional accommodation, as an upgrades program commences in Newcastle.
Delivered with the support of the Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation, Habitat for Humanity Australia’s Brush with Kindness project will see 150 volunteers deliver maintenance and upgrades at 20 units across the regions that provide transitional accommodation for vulnerable people including survivors of domestic violence and those experiencing housing stress.
Habitat for Humanity Australia CEO Nicole Stanmore said that the Brush with Kindness program was about more than a coat of paint.
“The program provides vulnerable people of the Hunter and Central Coast with clean, inviting and dignified accommodation through these renovations, by working with providers who don’t always have the funding or resources to undertake this work themselves,” she said.
“It shows the tenants that people care and that makes a huge difference because we know that taking the first step to seek support requires such bravery.
“If you take that step and arrive to this room and it makes you feel welcome, you’re on your path to recovery.”
Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation Chair Ross Griffiths said the social impact of the Brush with Kindness program was immeasurable.
“You can’t assign a value to people’s self-esteem, so we know that a $120,000 investment from us is actually worth so much more,” he said.
“This is the first time we’re seeing Brush with Kindness in Newcastle and the Central Coast, so we’re thrilled to be a part of the rollout.
“I’ve no doubt lives will be changed as a result of these renovations.”