Jesse Kelly serves up solutions for homelessness in his hometown of Brisbane

ALTHOUGH barely out of his teens, Jesse Kelly has already helped lift countless people out of the downward spiral of homelessness.

20-year-old Jesse Kelly’s passion combines community care with catering — and the mix has already helped many homeless people. Picture: Tara Croser

ALTHOUGH barely out of his teens, Jesse Kelly has already helped lift countless people out of the downward spiral of homelessness in his hometown of Brisbane.

“I really just wanted to make a change,” he says. “I felt that people just weren’t given a fair chance.”

At 15, CommBank’s Australian of the Day identified the need for a service for homeless people that was “wholesome and inclusive”.

“I wanted to provide somewhere that was an inviting family environment,” says Jesse. “Somewhere where you sat down in a restaurant setting and had a three course meal instead of just getting handed sausage sizzle in the middle of a park.”

Today — five years later — his Moreton Bay Regional Community Response charity boasts 120 volunteers and provides 4000 meals a month.

Three course dinners are served at the Burpengary Community Hall every Tuesday and cooked breakfasts are available at Redcliffe three mornings a week.

“As much good as outreach services do they weren’t really fulfilling that space that offered a wholesome response to people’s needs,” says Jesse, 20 — who is sole managing director as well as holding down a corporate job.

“We just changed the model; our breakfasts are a full hot breakfast and you get it served out to you as if you were in a restaurant or cafe. Same with our three course dinners.”

Jesse, 20, says this relaxed and welcoming environment gives people a sense of ownership and pride: “And when people feel that way, they’re able to achieve a lot more.” Importantly, it’s also a place where peoples’ barriers come down.

“We’ve got them in an environment where they’re happy, they feel welcome, they’re enjoying it,” he says.

“Then we can connect them with the help they need. We partner with 10 volunteer organisations that bring in nurses, counsellors, psychologists, youth workers — the lot.”

And it works. “Eight out of 10 people we’re able to house and get into stable accommodation within five weeks,” say Jesses. “10 out 0f 10 people who come to us can have a referral to an urgent organisation within 20 minutes.”

No wonder a lot of Jesse’s clients tell him his charity is like a family to them.

CommBank has partnered with News Corp Australia to champion the Australian of the Day initiative which celebrates people in our neighbourhoods and communities who really make a difference to how we live and who we are. You can read all their stories at australianoftheday.com.au, where you can also nominate someone you know.