Dear friends and supporters,

On June 30 this year, I will be standing down as Chairman and Director of Youngcare.

Since the organisation’s launch on July 29 2005, and the 18 months of work prior to that, Youngcare has been a major part of my life.

My passion for it has come from the need to address a wrong. To support those with high care needs. To support those living in aged care before their time. To support those at risk of doing so. To support those families and friends of loved ones with complex care needs. And to support those whose voice had not been heard for so long.
My passion comes from being committed to those who have committed to the cause.

Individuals of all ages and from all walks of life.

Businesses of all sizes and from all markets.

From governments at all levels, and all sides. And particularly individuals within government who committed to supporting our vision and its principles.

My passion came from my desire to ensure Shevaune, my first wife, was cared for in the best possible place in the world. For her to be given the opportunity to live with dignity, and to live a life she deserved, given her circumstances. To be surrounded by the love and care that she deserved yet never demanded. To feel safe and at ease when she left us last August. The legacy of her wonderful life is the creation of Youngcare and what it has delivered for so many already, and what she has influenced more broadly.

In eight years, we’ve achieved so much:

• For the first time, Youngcare took the lead to ensure the issue of people living in inappropriate, sub- standard, non-relevant accommodation and care, was heard and actioned nationally.
• Youngcare has garnered the support of an incredible list of everyday individuals in the community, well known Australians, major businesses and all levels of government to achieve its goal.
• Youngcare has provided age appropriate homes to more than 30 young Australians with high care needs through the creation of 23 individual Apartments at Sinnamon Park in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast, both of which are supported by Wesley Mission Brisbane. Their lives, and that of their family, have profoundly changed. This is what they tell us.
• Youngcare’s Sydney Apartments project was launched in November 2012.
• Several new innovative projects are soon to be announced for Wooloowin in Brisbane.
• Youngcare has successfully run national awareness campaigns to engage the community on the issue of young people in aged care, once not spoken of and subsequently contemplated.
• Youngcare’s visionary model of care and housing ensures young Aussies can receive individualised and person centred care in an age appropriate and dignified environment that inspires the living of a young life.
• In addition, Youngcare Connect, a national information and support hotline has assisted thousands of young people and their loved ones.
• Youngcare’s At Home Care Grants program has provided close to $1million in support to hundreds of young Aussies in need and their loved ones.
• The model of Youngcare from the outset, and to this day, is for community to work with business, philanthropy, and government in a progressive and collaborative way.
• Youngcare, in partnership with Griffith University, has funded and undertaken longitudinal studies to learn what people want and then to guide the future of the sector.

Youngcare provided funding support for the NDIS campaign. Youngcare were also on the Queensland advisory panel calling for the implementation of the NDIS and made submissions to the Senate hearing and the Productivity Commission’s Inquiry.

I’m very happy to announce that incoming Youngcare Chairman, Nic De Luca, is a long-term supporter and extremely committed to the cause. Nic is the founder and Managing Director of De Luca Corporation, one of Queensland’s most successful construction and development companies. Nic has been a part of the Youngcare family since inception, and has been an active supporter for many years and is committed to ensuring that “we never forget where we came from.”

Nic is focused on using DisabilityCare Australia as a platform to work effectively and successfully at a national level, enabling us to collaborate, and to focus on developing our replicable model of care and housing. And, it is fuelling our challenge to solve the issue of young people living in aged care once and for all.
I, along with co-founder Simon Lockyer, will act as an Honorary Trustee of Youngcare, as will other co-founders in the future.

I believe the time is right to hand over. My promise to Shevaune to ensure she was looked after  till the day she died, my commitment to establishing an organisation that is loved, owned by the community and a powerful advocate for innovative change, has occurred.

It is in great hands now, after making some necessary changes; it is well run and has a great vision for the future. If there was ever a time to hand over to a new set of hands, it is now.

Thank you to the Board of Youngcare and to all of the staff, past and present. Their commitment is to the cause, and to bettering the life of young people with high care needs. The work you do is so important and because of you, people’s lives are better.

To Wesley Mission Brisbane, who committed to supporting our vision from day one: without you, we would not have achieved what we were able to achieve, and the care of the Youngcare residents would not be as good as it is.

I want to thank you all for the support you have given me, and to Youngcare. I hope you all feel that in whatever way you have connected with Youngcare and the cause, your connection has enabled the formation of an organisation of real value. It has to remain connected to you to ensure its power remains current. There is so much more work to be done.

My thanks to my family and friends who never wavered in their support of me or their support of the vision of Youngcare. Without your support, I could not have got through the really tough moments, and there were quite a few.

I want to thank Nick Bonifant, Mathew Lawson and Simon Lockyer, whose friendship cannot be measured or questioned; the extraordinary gesture of supporting me in co-founding Youngcare is remarkable and testament to who they are as people. Great people. Great Australians. What they did, people will never really realise or understand. The amount of work they put in was remarkable and I will never be able to truly thank them or repay them.

With their support through Youngcare I was able to fulfil my promise to care for Shevaune till the end of her life. It enabled me to forge a new life with my wife Natalie and sons Charlie, Joseph and Samuel.

There is no “normal”. As much as people expect it for themselves, and apparently sometimes for others. The creation of Youngcare is a lesson, that there is no normal -  just a life that needs to be lived and for that, you need good friends, a loving family, and will to live it.

As I said the night of our launch, the Rules for Happiness are:

Something to do,

Someone to love,

Something to hope for.

Thank you all for your support and I ask you to continue to support Youngcare to ensure our work lives on.

David

One Night for Youngcare is an exclusive evening of high end fashion, entertainment,
premium beverages and canapés at one of Brisbane's premier venues, Bacchus.

This signature fundraising event will help national charity Youngcare deliver more
choice in care and housing options to young people with high care needs.

This event is funded by some incredible sponsors which enables One Night for
Youngcare to contribute 100% of the ticket sales to Youngcare.

One Night for Youngcare will be a fashion event not to be missed and tickets
are strictly limited.

When: Friday 31 May
Time: 7pm
Where: Bacchus, Rydges South Bank
Tickets: $195 each

Visit www.onenightforyoungcare.com 

Join Clare Sultmann as she launches her book "Standing on my own two feet" - an extaordinary and inspiring story of courage and endurance.

This is the incredible story of a young woman whose spirit and strength carries her through the darkest of times. But "Standing on my own two feet" is a story much bigger than one person as Clare’s account of her trauma is a universal story of how a human being can overcome the most difficult and unexpected obstacles.

The launch will be held on Thursday 16 May from 6pm-8pm at All Hallows' School - Piazza, 547 Ann Street Fortitude Valley. You can find out more about Clare's book by visiting her website.

Brisbane Times, 03/03/13

It was wet. It was not long after dawn. Mosquitoes swarmed around sweaty bodies. It was only going to get worse. So why were they smiling?

“His name was Bill,” a woman named Meg says.

She has just spent the last hour punishing her body with a gruelling training regime.

Deana Tynan, 5/12/12

ASPIRING bakers at Flight Centre's Brisbane head office have put their cake-making skills to the test in a Bakeoff challenge, where they announced a $70,000 donation to Youngcare.

Flight Centre invited a team of special guests from Youngcare, including founder and chair David Conry and resident of Youngcare Sinnamon Park Bronwyn Tarlton, to accept a cheque for funds and judge the cake competition.

Click here to read the full story.

Mariam Digges, 13/11/12

The national charity, Youngcare, has released the building plans of its tried and tested eight-apartment building project for young people with 24/7 care needs, so that other developers, charitable organisations and governments can recreate their own version in future.

The building blueprint, launched at an event at the Opera House last night, will be used as the design plans upon which a new $3.2 million Sydney apartment block for young people will be based upon, and replicate the design model of the organisation’s Brisbane and on the Gold Coast apartments.

Click here to read the full story.  

National charity Youngcare will tonight unveil a building blueprint which it believes can help change the lives of
7,500 young Australians forced to live in aged care.

Youngcare is launching a $3.2 million, eight-apartment building project for young people with 24/7
care needs.

Click here to view the full media release

William Wragg is running '50 Marathons in 50 Days' in support of Youngcare - he featured on Channel Nine News.

Check it out below -

National charity Youngcare launched its At Home Care Grants program last week, with grants of up to $10,000 available for young Queenslanders (aged 18-65) at high risk of entering aged care.

$100,000 has been made available for individuals with disabilities and their families in desperate need of emergency respite care, essential equipment and home modifications.
 
Click here to view the full media release

Youngcare welcomes the Queensland Government’s announcement to introduce a trial of self-directed funding to provide greater choice for Australians with disabilities. The Youngcare approach to care, delivered by our expert Care Partner Wesley Mission Brisbane, focuses on individualised, self-directed and person-centred care, promoting connection, choice and independence for young Australians with high care needs.

Youngcare previously discussed with the Government the value in distributing existing funds for those who wanted it in-line with the approach recommended by the PC. We are happy to see the first steps being outlined. Ultimately, it will provide Australians with more control and choice over their lives.

Oliver Murray, 29/08/12

EMILY Dash feels safer at home after receiving a manual wheelchair and automatic door as part of the

Youngcare At Home Grants program.

The 21-year-old was one of 18 young people with high needs to receive a grant from the $100,000

provided by GIO Insurance.

The Youngcare At Home Grants assists young people with disabilities who live at home but face

the possibility of entering aged care.

STATEMENT 

Youngcare is deeply saddened and heartbroken with the news that our beloved inspiration Shevaune has passed away after a brave struggle with MS at just 40. Shevaune inspired a community to create change and was the reason for Youngcare’s formation in 2005. By bravely sharing her story and journey with the Australian public, Shevaune shed a very bright light on the desperate lack of care and supported housing options for young Australians with 24/7 care needs.

Shevaune, by nature, was a selfless person, incredibly popular among her peers and much loved. She was successful in her career, and successful in inspiring an entire nation to stand up and say “all young people deserve to live young lives, regardless of their care needs.”

Shevaune created hope for thousands of young Australians and their families that change was possible, and on its way. She helped to bring attention to a massive hole in the health care system previously unaddressed, because it was seen to be too big and too complex. But not for Shevaune.

Youngcare was formed when Shevaune’s care needs became too great for her to remain at home in the care of her loved ones. Despite the best efforts of her family and friends to care for her at home, they discovered her only option was to live in aged care. This was devastating for Shevaune, and her family and friends – such a desperate lack of full-time care options for young people in Australia was shocking. This enormous injustice sparked Shevvy’s loved ones - David Conry, Matt Lawson, Simon Lockyer and Nick Bonifant to co-found Youngcare, vowing to change the way young people are cared for.

Shevaune’s story literally moved thousands of supportive Australians including businesses, government, and the community, resulting in the construction of the first ever Youngcare Apartments. Shevaune moved out of aged care and into her very own Youngcare Apartment, along with 15 other young people with high care needs. Finally, change had occurred – an example of what could be done – and Shevaune had a home that provided all the care and support she needed, enabling her to live the young life she so rightly deserved.

Shevy will forever live on through Youngcare’s work to provide more choice in where young people live and the care they receive. She has been the most influential catalyst for real and lasting change on this issue. She was one incredible woman with a big heart, and a firm belief that every young person deserves to live a young life.

The Youngcare team would like to express our deepest sympathy to Shevaune’s family and much loved friends. The loss of such a valuable and community minded person is unfathomable as she bettered the lives of many.

Shevaune was pivotal in creating modern-day change in Australia’s social fabric; for creating big, bright sparks of hope in the homes of many families right across the nation; and proved that change is absolutely possible in this lifetime for young people in desperate need of real care accommodation options. That is Shevaune’s legacy to this country.  

Francene Ri Dley, 06/06/12

For a good cause, JC is more than happy to pull some strings, but he won’t be picking up a bass guitar any time soon. Instead, the former mainstay bassist of Powderfinger is tuning nylon line in preparation for the inaugural JC’s Youngcare Fishing Tour (Jul 15-19).

"Once a year, I try to go up north to fish and, after talking with Dave (Conroy, Youngcare co-founder), we thought, why not make a trip out of it and do something for Youngcare," says JC, who will be joined by celebrity chef Ben O’Donoghue, TV presenter Ben Dark and rugby league legend Gorden Tallis on the trip to Melville Island, north of Darwin.

There are just 14 places on the tour, but JC says it’s not so exclusive that fishing newbies aren’t welcome. Women are also encouraged to enlist for the chance to experience one of Australia’s best fishing spots.

"It’s not just a guys’ trip," says the Momingside resident, "although I think my wife would prefer to go to a day spa" No mailer who is reeled in by the thought of catching their first barramundi and a few seafood cooking tips from Ben O’Donoghue, JC hopes he will find champions for Youngcare and start a fishing tradition.

"I’m a bit of a fishing tragic; catching fish and eating it are two of my big passions," he says. "Backstage at Powderfinger concerts, Ian (Hoag) would be reading Rolling Stone while I had my head in Fishing Monthly." FRANCENE RIDLEY JC’S YOUNGCARE FISHING TOUR, $8500 pp (from which $4000 is donated to Youngcare), ph: 3041 3400.

www.youngcare.com.au/fishingtour

Alice Coote, 21/11/11

JOCK Watson suffered serious injuries in a car accident when he was just 20. He was about to move to Sydney from Bathurst when he lost control of his car.

Ever since, the now 29-year-old has lived in a nursing home - his only option for around-the-clock care. Jock is one of 6500 young people forced to live in an aged-care facility.

There are also about 700,000 who require 24-hour care and are supported at home by their families.

Jock's younger brothers Tom and Gus would like to see him in a facility with other younger people. "It's pretty devastating. We know it's not the right place for him to be," Tom Watson said.

The brothers said Jock becomes "more outgoing" around friends of the same age.

"He doesn't want to be here. The staff are great but obviously his whole personality changes when he is around young people."

Youngcare is seeking to change the lack of care facilities available for young people who require ongoing support.

With the help of GIO Insurance, Youngcare has brought its At Home Care Grants program to NSW to help families care for loved ones at home and prevent them going into aged care.

To view the original story, please click here.

MORE than 20 years since a crash tackle left him in a wheelchair, John Tassone is ready to get married and buy his first home.

However, finding a soul mate has been easier for the quadriplegic than finding an accessible house.

Click here to read how Youngcare is helping young people like John in New South Wales.

Youngcare CEO Marina Vit recently joined the crew from Channel Ten's 'The Circle' on the couch to talk about the issue of young people living in aged care. Plus, two families share their personal insight into how the lack of choice in care and housing options has affected their lives.

Click here to watch the story.

Marina Vit, 01/10/11

NDS News Update, 11/08/11

Cultivate, a new professional development fund for Australian artists with disability, is seeking applications for grants of up to $8,000 to cover costs associated with starting or growing a professional practice as an artist. The grant could be used to cover the costs of specific skills or professional development opportunities, professional fees, travel, training or mentoring.

The aim of the funding is to assist a person with disability to be better placed to pursue a professional artistic career and to compete for funding in general arts funding programs.

To apply, a completed application form and support material must be sent to Arts Access Australia to arrive by 10.00am Monday 12 September 2011. Further information including the application form is available from Arts Access Australia.

Cultivate is an initiative of Arts Access Australia and the Australia Council for the Arts. It is supported by the Australian Government through the Office for the Arts.

Youngcare is proud to announce its involvement in the Include a Charity campaign, which encourages Australians to leave a charitable gift in their Will.

Research shows that while 70% of the Australian population support charities, only 7.5% of Australians over 60 leave a charitable gift in their Will. If this figure increased to 14%, it would create an additional $440 million for charities in Australia every year. Can you imagine the impact this would have in our communities!

Check out the campaign’s clever television ad here.

December 3 is the International Day of People with Disability and Youngcare is calling for Australians to recognise the 700,000 young people being cared for at home across Australia who deserve choice in care and accommodation.

Right now, the care options available for this enormous group of Australians are limited and while they are cared for in their homes by their family and friends, there is limited support in terms of funding and care.

Youngcare CEO Marina Vit said the International Day was a timely reminder that... click here to read more.

The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

Minister for Disability Servives and Multicultural Affairs

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Sunshine Coast residents with a disability gain more independence

Three young Sunshine Coast residents are set to benefit from a newly-modified house intended for younger people with a disability so they do not have to live in aged care facilities.

Disability Services Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk today inspected the Mooloolaba house which is the first of two on the Sunshine Coast under the joint State-Federal Younger People in Residential Aged Care Program (YIPRAC).

“The YIPRAC program is providing $47.8 million over five years to provide suitable homes to keep young people with disabilities out of residential aged care,’’ Ms Palaszczuk said.

Ms Palaszczuk said it was anticipated that three young men, two of whom were currently living in aged care facilities, would move into the Mooloolaba house next month, with a second house to be developed at Tewantin in the first half of 2011.

"This is about giving younger Queenslanders with a disability more choices and it's about ensuring they're not prematurely forced into aged care facilities," she said.

“We are leading the way – there are now 111 Queenslanders with a disability facing a brighter future after being diverted from aged care facilities.

“The Bligh Government's 2010-11 Budget delivered a record $1.61 billion for disability and community care services,’’ she said.

"We are committed to improving the quality of life of people living with a disability.”

Ms Palaszczuk also announced that $470,000 had been allocated to the Sunshine Coast under the joint State-Federal Disability Assistance Package.

“This means ten Sunshine Coast people with a disability will be able to live independently in their own homes.’’

Ms Palaszczuk said the funding boost would help fund additional carers to assist with daily personal care and getting out into the community.

“Accommodation support like this makes it possible for people with a disability to live in their own homes, particularly people who have an older parent carer,” she said.

“This support and assistance will also help allay the concerns and fears ageing carers may have about the future of their family members once they are no longer able to care for them.

“Three experienced non-government organisations, House With No Steps, Centacare and Southern Cross Care, will provide care and support. That will mean these people will be able to live a full life and participate in their local communities.

"Queenslanders with a disability need a helping hand, and that's what we're giving them.

The CEO of national charity Youngcare, Marina Vit, has urged Australians to recognise the 2.6 million unpaid family carers across Australia, during National Carers Week.

“Right now, there are 700,000 young Australians with high care needs being cared for at home by family and friends. This week is Carers Week and gives all Australians an opportunity to take a moment to recognise each person who cares for someone with a disability, mental illness or disorder, terminal illness or who is frail,” Ms Vit said.

“We ask all Australian’s to embrace and support National Carers Week, to celebrate the contribution each of these carers makes to our society,” Ms Vit said.

Click here to read the full media release.

In an extraordinary public response to Thong Day, Youngcare’s first national awareness day, more than 15,000 Australians put their feet behind the charity to raise funds and awareness for young people with full time care needs over the weekend of  1-3 October 2010.

More than 300 events were registered and hosted over the weekend, with Terry White Chemists also selling thousands of pairs of Youngcare thongs.  Events included Snag-a-thons, Olympic-a-thons, Hats and Havaianas-a-thons, barefoot bowls-a-thons and more.

Click here to read more.

We are truly saddened to tell you today of the passing of Jessica Dunne earlier this morning. Jessica and her mother Karen came to our attention more than 18 months ago now and have become a part of the Youngcare family.

Two years ago at just 19 years old, Jessica was struck by The Meningococcal Virus, leaving her with limited movement and the inability to eat or speak although still being able to see and hear everything around her.

Jessica was an inspiration to Youngcare and by letting us into their home and sharing their story, the Dunne's enabled us to better understand the plight of young Australians with high care needs and the issues they face every day.

We certainly will continue to fight for the thousands of other young Australians and their families in her memory.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Karen and her family at this very sad time.

Youngcare’s Thong Day Takes Off

Thousands of people all over the country will release their feet and feel the wind in their (toe) hair from October 1-3 in support of Youngcare’s first national awareness day, Thong Day.

Youngcare CEO Marina Vit said Youngcare is delighted by the incredible support across the country, with hundreds of individuals and businesses supporting the charity by purchasing Youngcare thongs or hosting their own ‘Thong-a-Thons’ at work and at home.

“Thong Day has truly resonated with people all over Australia and will see the nation don their thongs for Youngcare. Thong Day has allowed us to shed light on the lack of appropriate care and accommodation options for young people with 24/7 care needs and the nation is listening,” Ms Vit said.

“Thongs represent youth, freedom, fun and an Australian way of life, all things that young people deserve to experience, regardless of their care needs. Each person supporting Thong Day this weekend is making an invaluable contribution to the lives of young Australians with full time care needs.”

Ms Vit said you don’t need to host an event to make a difference, with other great options to celebrate including purchasing a pair of Youngcare thongs at any Terry White Chemist store for $14.95.

“You can also attend a public Thong Day event, there are several taking place, including a Ping-Pong-a-Thong at IKEA,” Ms Vit said.

Registrations for events close at 5pm on Friday 1 October. Events can be hosted across the entire weekend, with organisers going into the draw to win some fantastic prizes including a holiday for two to Hawaii. The most creative event will receive a special visit from a celebrity Thong Day Ambassador.

There are 6,500 young Australians with full-time care needs currently living in aged care simply because there are few alternatives.  A further 700,000 people are being cared for at home by family and friends.

Young people deserve to live young lives, regardless of their care needs, and this Thong Day, you can make a difference.

Thong Day Details:

What:   National Thong Day raising funds and awareness for Youngcare
Date:  Friday 1st – Sunday 3rd October 2010
Interview opportunities:  Marina Vit, Youngcare CEO

For more information or to register your event visit www.thongday.com.au or call 1300YOUNGCARE.

Please contact Kathy O'Donnell on 0402 843 037 for media enquiries.

Thong Day is just weeks away - help get young people out of aged care and get your thongs on! Host a Thong-a-thon in your thongs, and feel the wind in your (toe) hair on October 1... more  

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Australians love nothing more than the feeling of the wind in their (toe) hairs so what could be better than a national Thong Day?

Youngcare is asking all Australians to don a pair of pluggers for charity on Friday October 1st. The idea is simple: release your feet from their footwear prison for a day and raise money by doing one of the following things:

- Hosting a Thong-a-thon
- Buying a pair of specially branded Youngcare thongs (made by the same people who make Havaianas so guaranteed to be comfy) from a Terry White Chemist for $14.95
- Sponsoring someone who is hosting a Thong-a-thon

What, you may fairly ask, is a Thong-a-thon? It can be described as any activity performed wearing thongs. A pong-a-thong, a high tea-a-thong, an office-a-thong – absolutely any kind of ‘thon’ you like! Can’t do your Thong-a-thon on a Friday? That’s OK because Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd are also open for events.

Youngcare CEO Marina Vit invites all Australian’s to join in the fun of Thong Day, while remembering the Youngcare cause.

“It’s clearly inappropriate that young people with 24/7 care needs are living in aged care, because there are very few other options available,” Ms Vit said.

“Youngcare is committed to providing change and choice for these young Australians with high care needs.”

Once you’ve planned your event, register it at www.thongday.com.au or call 1300YOUNGCARE.

Youngcare would like to welcome our newest team member, Megan Carrucan. Meg joins Youngcare as a Youngcare Connect Liaison Officer and we are very excited to welcome Meg to the team.

Meg holds a Bachelor of Psychological Science and was most recently was employed with Lifeline Families Plus as a Family Counsellor with the Family Intervention Service. Within this role Meg worked intensively with vulnerable families who were at risk of having their children removed. Meg developed experience supporting families in relation to a diverse range of issues including domestic violence, child attachment, behaviour management, health and hygiene, child development and substance misuse and provided counselling and therapeutic relationship support.

Meg gained excellent skills in crisis intervention, case management, assessment, therapeutic intervention, networking and also the ability to work with complex families experiencing chronic and/or intergenerational issues. Meg has experience in a wide variety of areas within social services. She has gained experience working with clients, their carers and has a specific interest in supporting people with a disability utilising social justice frameworks.

Meg’s role at Youngcare will be to provide information and support through the Youngcare Connect support service to young Australians with full-time care needs, their families, friends and carers. Youngcare Connect is a vital service that helps to connect those who need it most to relevant information and programs within government and also the broader health care sector.

Meg is a great addition to the team and we are happy to have such a wonderfully experienced team member on board.

The announcement of a proposed capital fund to build innovative, community-based supported accommodation places for people with disability was welcomed today by a national disability group, Youngcare.

Youngcare, a national charity, focuses on providing choice in care and accommodation options for young Australians with full-time care needs who are often limited to aged care. 

Marina Vit, Youngcare CEO said the initiative announced today by the Prime Minister to provide capital grants to community organisations to construct up to 150 new supported accommodation or respite places was urgently needed.

"Right now there are over 6,500 young people with high care needs living in aged care – simply because there are very limited alternatives.”

“A further 700,000 are being cared for at home by family and friends. Clearly this is inappropriate.”

Over the last five years, Youngcare has been committed to raising awareness of the issue across the nation to drive change and create real choices for young Australians and their families.

Ms Vit said the lack of housing is a major issue for people with a disability.

“60% of callers to the Youngcare Connect  hotline call in relation to accommodation,” Ms Vit said.

“We strongly believe one of the core areas to meet the growing demand for disability services must be in disability housing.”

“It is the kind of iniatitive announced today by Gillard that we need to see more of,” Ms Vit said.

Ms Vit also welcomed Ms Gillard’s commitment to further a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) "if feasible", which is currently under a Productivity Commission investigation.

“It is only through the introduction of the NDIS, and the possibility of funding for lifetime care, that young Australians requiring complex support can have what they need,” Ms Vit added.

“People with high care needs have complex and long term support issues that need to be addressed in a much more holistic manner rather than simply as a disability issue.”

“We believe the National Disability Insurance Scheme must contribute to meeting the requirements of people with high care needs and both in terms of care and housing. Unless the housing, aged care and most importantly, health systems work together with the disability sector, we are not going to find sustainable and meaningful answers,” said Ms Vit.


For more information, contact Youngcare on 07 3041 3400.

The inspirational story of a family struck by tradegy was shared with the nation in June. To hear the Tierney's heart warming story, click below.

Youngcare would like to extend a very special thank you to eWeb Marketing for their expert assistance on the fantastic new Youngcare website.

“eWeb Marketing undertook all the search engine optimisation... more

An inspiring individual, John Corry has been named the Macquarie Group Foundation’s Fundraiser for the Year and Youngcare heartily agrees!

A Senior Advisor in the Banking and Financial Services team, John was... more

As one of Youngcare’s most valued partners, Xstrata and Youngcare have built a wonderful working relationship over the last three years.

The corporate partnership kicked off in 2007 as part of the Xstrata Community Partnership Program... more

Youngcare was overjoyed to learn they were the beneficiary of a $21,000 grant from The Ian Potter Foundation.

“This generous grant will go towards furnishing the Youngcare Apartments Gold Coast... more

An enterprising group of Griffith University MBA students put their thinking caps on and developed a fantastic fundraising concept for Youngcare, as part of their studies in event management.

A+ for this creative group!  The Griffith uni students devised a... more

Year 12 students showed off their fashion-forward flair as Stuartholme hosted their annual fashion parade.

Youngcare was the event beneficiary and are so pleased to report the parade raised an incredible $3,000 for Youngcare!... more

A special shout out to Queensland Media Group for their ongoing, amazing pro bono work!  QMG’s long term partnership with Youngcare means so much to us and we’re eternally grateful.

“Youngcare is so appreciative of the support of QMG... more

A “Great Minds” trivia night in the national’s capital yielded a staggering $170,000 for charity, $85,000 of which has been donated to Youngcare.

On Friday 14 May, the Doma Group of Canberra hosted a massive trivia night for over 500 people at the beautiful Hotel Realm in Barton... more

Marketing costs are often a significant business expense and when you’re a charity, you need to minimise as many costs as possible!

Charities have come under fire of late for spending large amounts of money on marketing, as general perception is this money... more

Through Youngcare Connect, Youngcare has been privileged to meet the Tierney family, who are rallying around 30-year-old Nicole after she suffered a devastating stroke 12 months ago that left her with an acquired brain injury.

The Tierney family contacted the Youngcare Connect... more

On Tuesday 1 June, the Youngcare Apartments Gold Coast project was officially launched by Premier Anna Bligh. 

Over 70 people attended the launch to help Youngcare mark this significant milestone including the Premier, members of... more

The Gold Coast Apartments project launch saw the Jetstar Gold Coast Titans and ABC Bricks Sales announce a quirky fundraising initiative for Youngcare.

“ABC Brick Sales and the Jetstar Gold Coast Titans have joined together and created..." more

The issue of disability care and support in Australia is at breaking point, evidenced by the fact that 6,500 young people with high care are living in aged care and a further 700,000 being cared for at home, with very limited options available for appropriate and dignified care... more

For just $50, you can give a full-time carer of a young person with 24/7 care needs one hour of rest – not a lot of time but very precious to a person who is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Click here to create change today... more

In late 2009, the Youngcare team moved to a new Head Office in Spring Hill thanks to the support of many businesses and the community. Youngcare would like to take this opportunity to thank the Gambling Community Benefit Fund for their very generous support of our move.

Financial support from the Gambling Community Benefit Fund has meant that we have been able to purchase much needed items for our office. We have been able to purchase a range of office equipment, digital media equipment and furniture. 

The Grant has enabled our organisation to buy a projector and screen which is an excellent tool that allows us to showcase our promotional videos to supporters in our office. It also means that we can host large stakeholder and all staff meetings.

Some other items which have helped to turn our office into a usable space were pieces of furniture – so practical yet so essential! We were also able to purchase a camera to take to events, saving us money on professional photographers. We also were able to install corporate signage at the front of our office so our office is easily recognised.

Youngcare is very grateful to the Gambling Community Benefit Fund for its support. The receipt of these funds means that we can direct our funds to areas of greatest need. It’s only with the support of wonderful organisations like the Gambling Community Benefit Fund that we are able to make a difference in the life of a young Australian with full-time care needs and give them the lives they deserve to live.

Brisbane-based charity Youngcare is continuing its campaign to provide dignified and appropriate care alternatives for young people with 24/7 care needs, today announcing its latest project at Coomera.

Premier Anna Bligh today turned the first sod on the new Gold Coast Youngcare Apartments.

Ms Bligh said the State Government was pleased to be delivering on an election commitment to provide $3 million in recurrent care funding over the next three years through the Young People in Residential Aged Care (YPIRAC) program.

"Young people deserve to live young lives, and we can help them do this by supporting and investing in initiatives like the Youngcare Apartments Gold Coast,” Ms Bligh said.

Click here to read more.

Massive Support from The Doma Group and Servcorp in Canberra Raises a ‘Trivial’ $85,000 for Youngcare.

On Friday 14th May, The Doma Group of Canberra hosted a massive trivia night for more than 500 people at the spectacular Hotel Realm in Barton, Canberra. The night was a brilliant success exceeding all expectations by raising over $170,000 for Youngcare and the Queanbeyan Home Foundation.

The team at Youngcare is so pleased to be a part of this brilliant event and are so thankful for the support of those who attended and their wonderful contributions to the night. Youngcare would like to extend an extra special thank you to The Doma Group for organising and hosting the night and to Servcorp for their ongoing support.

In the last Youngcare newsletter, Youngcare acknowledged the awesome work of two great ambassadors of Youngcare who threw themselves in the deep end in the name of charity, recently tackling the 20km stretch of sea between Perth’s Cottesloe Beach and Rottnest Island in the 2010 Rottnest Channel Swim.

The National Brand Development Manager at Terry White Chemists, Chris “Swifty” Swifte and Symbion General Manager, Andrew “AV” Vidler raised $60,000 for three worthy charities – Youngcare, the Prostate Cancer Foundation and the Bowel Cancer and Digestive Research Institute Australia.

After a gruelling training regime spanning 12 months, Swifty and AV took to the water on February 20 with their boat, crew and paddler accompanying them.

“Everyone at Youngcare is so inspired by Swifty and AV’s dedication to the cause and the outstanding results achieved – a 20km swim is not for the faint hearted!” Youngcare CEO Marina Vit said.

“They finished the race in 7 hours and 18 minutes, which is an outstanding effort and Youngcare is very grateful for the $20,000 donation.”

“A big thank you must also be extended to all those who pledged their support to Swifty and AV, with particular mention to Symbion Pharmacy Services, Terry White Chemists, Medibank and Apotex.”

To read more about Swifty and AV’s Big Swim journey, please visit www.ourbigswim.com.
 

“So on behalf of Youngcare and all the residents at Sinnamon Park, a very big thank you goes out to the whole team at the Harcourts Foundation for your dedication to our cause,” added Kirsty.

Guests kicked up their heels in the Grand Ballroom, entertained by Australian music legends Black Sorrows and Mental as Anything, while Channel Nine’s Melissa Downes was a gracious host.

I will certainly continue to champion Youngcare’s cause and will volunteer again in future.”

“On behalf of Youngcare, a big thank you to Jack and his wonderful class mates and teachers at Eagle Junction State School – we’re so pleased to have you as friends of Youngcare.”

Here at Youngcare we meet so many inspirational and courageous people and 21 year old Sarah is a stirring example.

At such a tender age, Sarah has spent the last 20 months in a hospital bed, after suffering a massive stroke.

Understandably eager and anxious to take her daughter home and provide full time care, her mother Jane is tragically unable to do so due to funding restrictions.

Sarah is waiting on government funding that will allow her to have a modified bathroom, wheelchair accessible entry to her home, and some physiotherapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy.

The family’s frustration at the long wait for funding is unfortunately a common scenario facing many individuals with 24/7 care needs, as well as their families.  Youngcare has met with Sarah and Jane to explain the funding process, provide much needed support and assist Jane navigate through the often confusing disability support system.

“Youngcare Connect has been able to provide Sarah and Jane with information on a range of services that may be able to support Sarah when she returns home, which we hope will be very soon,” Youngcare’s Director of Stakeholder Relations, Genevieve Atkinson said.

Youngcare will keep you updated on Sarah’s progress. If you would like to read more about Sarah or support her family in some way, please visit www.developingfoundation.org.au/family/sarahjane.