By VICTORIA STONE-MEADOWS
UPWEY resident Lorraine Marsh has decided to donate her unused car to youth homelessness prevention charity, Kids Under Cover.
Ms Marsh has worked in the welfare sector for over 20 years, and says donating her unused Peugoet Hatch is a natural conclusion for her.
“I’ve seen the good work done by so many in the welfare sector, and so this donation has a lot of personal significance,” she said.
Established in 1989, Kids Under Cover is a not‑for‑profit organisation dedicated to preventing youth homelessness though practical measures.
Since 2006, more than 5200 people have donated their old vehicles with 100 per cent of the money raised from the re-sale of the vehicles donated to Kids Under Cover.
Kids Under Cover supports vulnerable young people between the ages of 12 and 25 by providing solutions to avoid homelessness.
They provide one or two bedroom studios at the homes of families or carers to keep young people connected in a healthy home environment; they also provide scholarships to ensure ongoing engagement with education and offer positive role models by linking young people to mentors.
Kids Under Cover CEO Jo Swift is grateful to Lorraine for taking the time to donate her redundant vehicle.
“Kids Under Cover is focused on early intervention to tackle youth homelessness through practical measures,” she said.
“From an economic point of view, independent evaluations show that for every dollar invested in the work of Kids Under Cover, on average $3.30 is saved in the form of reduced health and justice costs.”
There is more than just an economical benefit that comes from a vehicle donation to Kids Under Cover.
“Most importantly, a young person is no longer at risk of becoming homeless, and is now living in secure and stable accommodation,” Mrs Swift said.
Ms Marsh said the benefits young people gained from charities like Kids Under Cover were really important for the development of at-risk youth.
“Work like that conducted by Kids Under Cover helps a young person learn independent living skills, it helps them develop a history of taking care of a space they can call their own,” she said
“I know that this is one of the best ways to help a young person in the care system, by helping them learn self sufficiency.”
