Having a token of generosity such as a Christmas Hamper lets these young people know that there are people who really care about their welfare and want them to continue living healthily. It shows clients they are not invisible and on a practical level, provides them with the tools they need, over this more isolating time of the year, to make good choices for their own well being.
Some of the packages will be going to the clients we have living in “The Block”. This is a block of 6, one bedroom units young GLBT people can apply to live in when they are homeless and are engaged in Case Management at Twenty10. They live independently and meet with their Twenty10 case worker weekly to achieve goals such as gaining employment, education, budgeting, improving living skills and leading healthy, constructive lifestyles. In other words, we all work hard to let them find a good path in life and stick to it.
Some hampers will go to other clients who are engaged in Case Management and live elsewhere in supported youth housing. Some young people may be homeless and will take their hampers with them to wherever they sleep across Christmas and New Year. Others may live securely, yet rely on Twenty10 to provide food on a daily basis. They can receive a hamper as a “take-away” box to help keep them going while we are closed. The young people love receiving their box of goodies and get very excited about the whole process.
“I’d like to say a giant thank you to all Virgin staff who contributed to our Hamper Appeal. Twenty10 staff are so appreciative of your donations because we can see how much they truly make a difference to young peoples’ lives, especially at what is such a challenging time for many of them. I have already spoken with one of the clients today and she is genuinely in awe of the generosity and energy put in to this appeal. Her appreciation runs deep and her holiday season will be better for all your contributions.”
- Tori Spooner, Organisational Development for Twenty10.