Youngcare is fighting for freedom of choice for young people with high care needs and their loved ones.
Youngcare is spearheading powerful and positive change to create a future where every young person has the freedom and choice to live the lives we all deserve.
There are simply too many young people in Australia being left behind, living in inappropriate and unacceptable housing. These young people deserve the freedom to CHOOSE where and how they live, and it’s up to all of us to make sure that happens.
Our Journey
For 12 years, we have been fighting to make a difference to the lives of young people with high care needs and the loved ones who care for them.
Our fight continues.
Since 2005...
A Brighter Future With The NDIS
A message from Youngcare Chairman, Nic De Luca
The Year That Was
A message from our Youngcare CEO, Anthony Ryan
Building More Than A Home
Youngcare's building program designs and develops age-appropriate housing solutions where young people can live with independence, dignity and choice.
Youngcare continues to lead the way in designing premium housing, continually seeking feedback from architects, developers and residents to help young people living in, or at risk of entering inappropriate housing.
Since 2005...
Albany Creek Official Opening
On 27 June 2017, it was a pleasure to invite The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk to officially open The Youngcare and MS Queensland Apartments at Albany Creek that eight young people with high care needs now call home.
Youngcare is proud to set the standard for a new era of age appropriate housing for young people with high care needs – these apartments are a fine example of what can be achieved when we come together as a community. Together, it is possible to build high quality, architecturally designed homes that enable young people with high care needs to live independently with freedom and choice.
A huge thank you to all our supporters for making this project a reality!
From corporates to local schools, small businesses, the government, trust and foundations, donors and volunteers – Youngcare received amazing support from all across the community to make these beautiful apartments a reality and change the lives of eight young people with high care needs.
John’s Story
“I heard the wonderful news that John had been accepted into the Youngcare and MS Queensland apartments. It was the best news we had heard since his stroke.”
John is one of the latest residents at the Youngcare and MS Queensland Apartments at Albany Creek. John and his family’s life changed in an instant when he suffered an unexpected stroke that left him in a hospital bed for eight long months.
With John’s impending fate being transferred into aged care at only 49 years old, his loving sister and mother could not stand by and let him live out his days without the independence and freedom he deserves.
They set out to find a long term and age appropriate solution for John and came across Youngcare. “I heard the wonderful news that John had been accepted into the Youngcare and MS Queensland apartments. It was the best news we had heard since his stroke,” John’s sister Maree said.
John will be able to call the Albany Creek Apartments his home and continue his rehabilitation in an environment that is suitable for his age. He will be surrounded by people his own age, have the freedom of choice and the independence and dignity that we all deserve.
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has changed the disability sector forever
Suitable and appropriate supported housing is one of the greatest areas of unmet need for people with disabilities in Australia.
For the first time in Australian history, young people with high care needs will be able to craft their own care packages
And choose where they live, who they live with and how they live their lives
NDIS reforms are only part of the solution, a severe shortage of disability housing options across the country remains.
Specialist Disability Accomodation (SDA)
NDIS participants with high care needs will be given CONTROL over where they live through the provision of the Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) scheme.
Demand for the SDA is significant, with approximately 28,000 people eligible for the scheme. However, there are little existing quality housing options for rent.
Youngcare believes this is a unique opportunity to unite investors, developers, government, banks and care providers in a strategy that solves the disability residential crisis. We believe that the community has been given the incentive to pursue a realistic investment opportunity in disability housing.
Youngcare's At Home Care Grants
There's no place like home
Keeping young people at home with their families, and preventing new admissions into inappropriate housing.
In November 2016, Youngcare was incredibly excited to expand our At Home Care Grants program into South Australia.
The Youngcare AHCG program will support more young people with high care needs than ever before to avoid admission into inappropriate housing. The South Australian AHCG is proudly made possible thanks to AAMI.
In January 2017, 17 young South Australian’s received grants to the value of $104,650 to avoid admission into inappropriate housing.
Jenny's Story
“My new bed helps me to function as normally as I can. It helps me to be part of family life and not be excluded from social situations because I’m feeling tired”
Jenny was a typical 15 year old girl when she started feeling “not quite right”.
“I was in grade ten when little things started happening like not being able to keep my feet still and feeling off balance when I walked to the bus each morning. At first, doctors thought I was making it all up because I didn’t want to go to school, but my mum and I knew there was something wrong so we sought a second opinion” said Jenny.
At only 15 years old, following a frightening and paralysing attack, Jenny was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The years following Jenny’s diagnosis were a rollercoaster ride and for 44 years her MS relapsed and remitted a number of times.
Jenny said, “I managed to work up until I was 55 in 2013, I just knew it was time to stop. But, being home alone wasn’t working out either because I was having falls. So Charlie, my husband, also gave up work and became my full-time carer. We have been married 37 years and we have always done everything together, we are never apart. He is amazing, without him, I don’t know where I would be.”
Due to her MS symptoms, Jenny has not been able to sleep on her left hand side or her back for 30 years, causing uncomfortable lesions on the base of her spine and painful ulcers on her ears.
“It started to become really painful so we tried all sorts from foam pillows to cortisone injections because it would have been a big financial strain for us to find the money for an adjustable bed that suits my needs.”
So when Jenny learnt about the Youngcare At Home Care Grants Program, she wasted no time applying for a hi-lo bed.
“I couldn’t stand the thought of sleeping in a bedroom alone and Shane from Youngcare completely understood that Charlie and I wanted to stay sleeping side by side. Shane helped us apply for one king-single bed each – Charlie’s is a basic bed and mine has all of the specs I need to sleep comfortably. I used to dread the thought of going to bed because it just meant hours of pain trying to get comfortable. I never got a good night’s sleep” said Jenny.
After being successful in her At Home Care Grant application, Jenny has a new bed where she can raise her head and feet to relieve muscle spasms. Even the smallest grant can make the biggest difference.
Home Soon Grants
Supporting young people to exit inappropriate housing
Home Soon Grants are proudly supported by Youngcare’s Foundation Partner, Suncorp Insurance and enable young people with high care needs to make the transition out of inappropriate housing.
Brenda's Story
“When Youngcare came to help me move out of aged care and into my apartment, it was like The Great Escape. I have so much more independence now, and I can live my life again.”
When a two-week stay in respite turned into a permanent place in aged care, former nurse and CEO Brenda, took no time to working to win back her independence and freedom.
After being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, Brenda, aged 49, was living with her friend and carer, Barbra and her two loved puppies, Archie and Angus on the sunny Gold Coast.
Circumstances rapidly changed when Barbra was admitted to hospital and sadly diagnosed with terminal cancer. With Barbra no longer able to provide care or a home for Brenda and with nowhere else to go, it was arranged for Brenda to stay in respite for two weeks while finding somewhere else to live.
As her options of finding a suitable place to live dwindled, two weeks turned into six months, and Brenda soon found herself as a permanent resident in aged care.
“It definitely wasn’t how I had planned to live the rest of my life,” said Brenda.
“I went from being the Chief Executive Officer of a major organisation, working for the state and federal government, spending time overseas and in indigenous communities in Australia, to living my young life in aged care. I felt like I wasn’t living my own life anymore. I felt like I was imprisoned.”
Determined to leave aged care, Brenda wrote a letter to the Minister for Health who referred her onto Youngcare. In late 2016, Brenda received a Youngcare Home Soon Grant, providing funding to support her transition out of aged care and into supported housing.
“When Youngcare came to help me move out of aged care and into my apartment, it was like The Great Escape. Now I living in my own place; I have my two dogs back. They keep me busy and we go for walks every day. I have carers come in three days a week to help me do my laundry, shopping and take me on outings.”
“I can have a cup of tea when I want, I can go to bed when I want, I can watch TV when I want. I have so much more independence now, and I can live my life again.
Thank you to the people that support Youngcare, because without them I simply couldn’t have survived. The funding Youngcare has granted me is more than just money; it’s changed my whole life.”
Youngcare Connect
Youngcare Connect is always there to help with its free national information and support line, assisting families to navigate the often-complicated healthcare system to find the best solution.
Proudly made possible by:
Campaigning For Change
While the NDIS is critical in providing funding for young people with high care needs, there is a severe shortage of disability housing options available across the country.
In 2016/17, Youngcare presented four submissions to government to keep the issues faced by young people with high care needs firmly on the national agenda. It has been Youngcare’s top priority to work with the NDIS and SDA to build dynamic, modern living spaces that enable young people to live independent lives, with appropriate and dignified care.
National Ambassador
In March 2017, the Youngcare team welcomed Sylvia Jeffreys with open arms as she joined our crusade as Youngcare’s first National Ambassador.
Corporate Support
As Youngcare receives no recurrent government funding, we rely almost entirely on corporate and community support to achieve our mission. From financial contributions; to hundreds of volunteer hours; to workplace giving; to pro bono legal, accounting, marketing and event support; our extraordinary corporate supporters are with us every step of the way.
Herbert Smith Freehills staff gave their time to packing the rations in their office to ensure all our trekkers were well nourished!
Flight Centre Foundation volunteers competed at Corporate Rugby 10’s to raise funds and awareness, October 2016
EY cycled up a storm and raised over $20,000 for Youngcare through the Tour de Office, a week long relay event held on exercise bikes in offices across Australia!
Foundation Partner - Suncorp Insurance
Suncorp’s support has been invaluable from the very beginning as we fight for freedom of choice for young people with high care needs and their loved ones.
In 2016/17 FY Suncorp once again supported the Youngcare Simpson Desert Challenge with Executive, Robb Moffat, taking on the trek and raising an incredible $62,743.
Fast Facts:
A total of $282,634.73 helped fund 14 individuals with high care needs to return home where they belong in 2016/17 FY.
An incredible 95 Suncorp volunteers worked 453 hours a saving of $10,182 for the organisation.
Fundraising
Small acts of kindness making a big difference!
awesome individuals gave a gift in 2016/17 FY
amazing organisations gave a gift in 2016/17
Youngcare Events & Fundraising
Individual Fundraising
- Siobhan generously encouraged guests donate to Youngcare in lieu of gifts at her 18th birthday raising $718!
- Darren participated in the 2016 Bridge to Brisbane and fundraised over $800 for Youngcare!
- Stephanie raised $876 for Youngcare, hiking the Inca Trail in March 2017.
- Helen’s beautiful handmade cards raised $692 for Youngcare!
- Artist Lauren Jordan held an art event called 'Rapscallion and the painted playground' with profits over $4,500 to Youngcare.
- David undertook an epic solo motorcycle fundraising ride from Sydney to Birdsville, where he met the Youngcare trekkers at the Birdsville Pub and raised $3,073!
- Tim Mander's Walk for Youngcare and MS Queensland Albany Creek Apartments raised almost $22,000.
- DFK Crosbie team participated in the Gold Coast Airport Marathon in July 2016, raising over $1,400.
Ribs & Red
Guests in Brisbane and Sydney came together for a meaty and magnificent lunch to transform the lives of young people with high care needs
Y Women
Passionate women rallied together to bring much-needed change to the disability housing sector at our beautiful Y Women events
Beneficiary Events
- $9,830 was raised for Youngcare at the Legends for Youngcare Luncheon held in May 2017
- Long Lunch 2016 was another stunning event, with a profit of over $29,000
- Players hit the field and raised over $30,000 at the 2016 Corporate Rugby Tens
- Our incredible supporters at Women in Finance raised over $8,900 across our partnership in 2016/17
- Prost! Another awesome year partnering with Oktoberfest raised $15,000 for young people with high care needs
- JC's Fishing Trip hooked $6,800 to supporting Youngcare!
- Rivergum Homes Golf Day was a great success raising $10,600
- Lavish Melbourne Cup events held by Gahmen Group, Tattersalls Club and Story Bridge Hotel raised a combined $15,623 for Youngcare
- Our friends at the Tony O’Brien Cricket Day pulled together to raise over $3,700!
- Trekkers and family gathered to enjoy live bands at Tune For The Trekkies
- Fans and volunteers alike had a fantastic time raising over $13,000 at the Global Rugby Tens
- $22,000 was raised at the Police International Women’s Day 2017
- Women's Property Panel International Women’s Day 2017 raised $18,000
- Great fun was had at the Roma Picnic Races weekend where $7,400 was raised
- Shape Golf Day swung an awesome donation of $25,956 towards Youngcare
- The iconic Bruce Lynton Charity Ball raised over $19,000
- $15,000 was raised at the Former Origin Greats Charity Lunch in 2017
- A cracker event at the Brisbane Club Presidents Dinner with a profit of $28,000 for Youngcare
Community Events
- Sayers Dance Centre & Premier Dance Academy Annual Charity Show raised $10,200 for Youngcare in June 2017!
- 100 Women Who Care The Grampians’ raised $7,200 in September 2016
- Since 2011, the Annual Bankstown Golf Club Ladies Golf Event has raised over $44,695!
- The boys from Hamilton House, Brisbane Boys' College fundraised over $2,000 in 2016/17
- The girls from England House, Brisbane Girls Grammar School raised $4,715 throughout 2016
- We were wrapped when Brookside Shopping Centre raised $9,473 at their Xmas wrapping station in 2016
- Cairns Hospital RMO raised over $2,500 for Youngcare in 2016
- Commercial Hotel Broadwater raised over $3,000 for Youngcare in 2016
- Over three years, Greenbank RSL have raised an incredible $16,000 for Youngcare
- Over $3,500 was raised at the Narnia Social Club’s Casino Night for Youngcare in May 2017
- QLD Rail Young Professionals have held Trivia and Bingo nights and Tin Rattling at stations to raise $4,860 for Youngcare
- The Scope Club of Allora have been supporters since 2008 and since then have raised an incredible $36,833!
- Somerville P&F donated $7,000 to Youngcare following the auction of a still life piece by Mr John Honeywill
- The boys from St Joseph's Nudgee College fundraised over $2,900 in 2016/17
- St Patrick's College raised over $4,000 for Youngcare in 2016/17
- Village On The Downs Residents fundraised over $3,000 at their annual charity lunch
- West Arana Hills Rugby League Football Club raised $ 5,780 at their Annual Gala Championship Day
- Zenith Interior’s Wine & Cheese night raised almost $2,000 for young people with high care needs
- Mitchie Day Club hosted a fundraising event called ‘Hoy’ in May raising over $2,400.
- Nudgee Golf Club raised $5,410 for Youngcare in May
Simpson Desert Challenge
It’s the ultimate Australian adventure challenge, conquering a vast, rugged landscape with harsh weather and an endless horizon whilst trekking 243km across the Simpson Desert. In May/June 2017, 10 stoic Youngcare supporters pulled on their 10 kilo backpacks and embarked on the test of a lifetime to raise awareness to create a future where every young person has the freedom and choice to live the lives we all deserve.
Youngcare Campaigns
HIGH FIVE to our wonderful team of volunteers!
It’s thanks to our generous and hardworking volunteers that Youngcare can continue to spearhead powerful and positive change to create choice, independence and dignity for young people with high care needs.
Volunteer Snapshots:
“From the events that I've been part of, it is very clear that Youngcare is respected by sponsors and the broader community. It is a privilege to be part of such an amazing group of people." - Angela
“I chose to support Youngcare because the cause is close to my heart. Young people with high care needs are in need of assistance to achieve independence and fulfillment." - Andrew
"I'm continually inspired meeting vibrant and dynamic people. I am able to tangibly see where the money goes. It has been incredible to see how the organisation has grown.” – Michelle
"Since my first event I have been a regular volunteer, on each occasion I have found them to be well organised and welcoming, but above all, very grateful, for the donation of my time." - Martin
Meet The Board
Nic De Luca
Board Chairman
March 2012 – Present
De Luca Corporation, Managing Director
The founder and director of De Luca Corporation, Nic has 20 years’ experience in all aspects of the construction and property industry. Nic holds a degree in Construction Management, is a Division Council member of the Property Council of Australia and is a member of Master Builders and the Institute of Company Directors.
Mark Foley
Board Director
March 2012 – May 2017
FKG Group, Chief Operations Officer
Mark has over 20 years’ experience in the electrical contracting field and has established numerous successful businesses in the satellite, electrical, property development and managed services sectors.
Kylie Blucher
Board Director
June 2013 – Present
Nine Network Australia, Managing Director QTQ &NBN
Kylie is one of Queensland’s most respected media executives and has worked in the industry for more than 25 years. She has held various senior positions with the Austereo Radio Network and the Nine Network. Kylie is also a member of the Queensland Performing Arts Trust.
Taine Moufarrige
Board Director
November 2013 – Present
Servcorp, Executive Director
A lawyer by trade, Taine is CEO of Light Energy Australia, facilitating the change for large commercial, industrial, and residential properties to LED lighting technology. Taine works as a strategic business development partner for Cutting Edge, acts as a non-executive Director for Servcorp and the European Australian Business Council, is Chairman of the Youngcare Sydney Leadership Group and sits on the Investment and Export Advisory Panel for the NSW Government.
Paul McLean
Board Director and Deputy Chairman
February 2012 – Present
Paul brings to Youngcare a wealth of experience and knowledge in both the corporate and community sectors. Previously, Paul was CEO of Savills Australia, 2006-17, President of the Australian Rugby Union from 2005 - 09, and the Australian representative on the International Rugby Board from 2007- 09. He is also a member of the Advisory Board of Shadforths (Civil Contractors).
Peter Hudson
Board Director
March 2012 – Present
Stradbroke Capital, Managing Director
Peter is the Managing Director of Stradbroke Capital, a boutique investment firm focused on helping Australian small businesses raise capital to achieve growth aspirations. Prior to founding Stradbroke Capital in August 2016, Peter was a partner at KPMG, a global professional services firm, where he specialized in assisting a broad range of clients in to undertake complex acquisition, disposal and capital market Transactions. Peter also holds non-executive Director roles at Queensland Theatre and Powerlink Queensland.
Tina Davey
Board Director
March 2015 – Present
KPMG Australia, Director
With more than 20 years’ experience,
Tina is a Director in KPMG’s Health,
Ageing and Human Services practice and the sector lead for human services in Queensland. Tina specialises in strategy development, program design and reform, service improvement and integration
across a diverse range of services including disability, housing and homelessness,
mental health and child protection services.
Samantha Evans
Company Secretary
February 2016 – Present
Australian Affordable Housing Securities Ltd, Chief Executive Officer
Sam has worked in the not-for-profit sector in both Australia and the United Kingdom and currently oversees the provision of financial services specifically focused on the affordable housing sector. Sam is also the Group Company Secretary for Horizon Housing and has held senior operational roles at both Brisbane Housing Company and the Queensland Government. Sam has extensive experience as a Company Secretary and Director and is also a Director of National Affordable Housing Providers Ltd.
Financials
Take a look at our Financial Statements for 2016/17 Financial Year