Kids crisis accommodation to feel like a home thanks to IKEA

A Townsville crisis accommodation centre for children is on its way to reopening after flood damage, thanks to a $140,000 donation.

Wee Care has received $140,000 in donations from GIVIT on behalf of IKEA to refurnish the children’s crisis accommodation centre. Mayor Jenny Hill, Althea Projects CEO Paula La Rosa and GIVIT’s Joanne Beadle.

A TOWNSVILLE crisis accommodation centre for children is on its way to reopening after flood damage, thanks to a $140,000 donation.

Wee Care Residential Service provides crisis and emergency accommodation for kids up to 11 facing homelessness, domestic and family violence, or drug and alcohol abuse.

The Railway Estate premises was destroyed in the floods, forcing them to operate out of a temporary site in Cranbrook until repairs are completed later this month.

CEO Paula La Rosa said a $140,000 donation from GIVIT on behalf IKEA has meant the difference between providing a centre verses a home with the funds to be used on new furniture.

“Not to be able to open our home and care for the community the most was very difficult so we just want to get our doors open and deliver all the suites of family support services that we can offer here and can’t in a temporary setting,” she said.

“Insurance only covers bits and pieces but now we can create a home.”

Ms La Rosa said Wee Care supports more than 250 children a year to those who need urgent help.

We Care have received $140,000 in donations from Givit and IKEA. Program Manager Lynne Josey and Althea Projects CEO Paula La Rosa

“We have families that have homelessness, domestic family violence, mental health, drug and alcohol, substance abuse, so quiet vulnerable people but we also have the everyday person,” she said.

“We take for granted that when we’re unable to care for kids someone in our life can but there are many families in this community that is not the case.”

“That’s where Wee Care steps in and we keep families together and that’s what’s really important because the alternative is foster care and that’s not what they need.”

More than 1000 children are estimated to be in foster care in Townsville.

Mayor Jenny Hill said the donation will allow Wee Care to continue delivering a much needed service to the community.

“The fact that there are so many children in foster obviously indicates there are some problems for families here,” she said.

“Not every situation requires children to go into foster care but sometimes it just requires a period of time where services and agencies, and even families can work out their issues — what Wee care does is provide a safe place for children to be.”

To donate to GIVIT visit www.GIVIT.org.au

Originally published as Kids crisis accommodation to feel like a home thanks to IKEA