YMCA Queensland

06/08/2026

Y Queensland Community Centres are safe, welcoming places where people can connect, feel supported, and access the help they need – especially those experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, homelessness.

Many of our centres offer free essentials like tea and coffee, clothing, toiletries, frozen meals, pet food, and phone charging. They also provide vital wraparound support, including:

👉Referrals to housing and health services
👉Help with paperwork, forms, and ID copies
👉Access to counselling, financial support, and NDIS outreach

But it’s not just about services – it’s about connection. Through community events and shared conversations, people of all ages can build friendships, find belonging, and strengthen their wellbeing 🙌

This Homelessness Week, we're standing with people in our community who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Everyone deserves access to the support they need, and our Community Centre is here to help in a welcoming, respectful, and non-judgmental environment.

We offer a range of practical supports, including:

💙 Food hampers
💙 Toiletries and essential hygiene items
💙 Clothing
💙 Access to Orange Sky's free laundry service
💙 Assistance with paperwork and forms, including Social Housing applications
💙 Referrals and connections to emergency and crisis accommodation services

🧼🪥 We're also incredibly grateful for the generosity of our community. Donations of toiletries and other essential items are packed into care bags by our team and passed directly on to outreach services supporting people who are sleeping rough. These donations make a real difference, helping people access basic necessities with dignity and care.

If you or someone you know is doing it tough, please know you don't have to face it alone. Reach out to our team to find out how we can help or connect you with the right services.

Homelessness can affect anyone, and together we can build a more compassionate and supportive community.

06/08/2026

“You don’t realise how important security is until you lose it.”

— Tony, Y Queensland Housing tenant
For Tony, finding a safe and affordable home meant more than having a place to stay. It meant stability, hope and the opportunity to rebuild after years of uncertainty.

Living with Type 1 diabetes while experiencing housing insecurity created significant challenges. Today, as a tenant at Y Queensland’s Safe and Affordable Housing – Melville Place, Tony has a place to call home and a renewed sense of purpose.

During Homelessness Week, we’re sharing stories that highlight the life-changing impact of safe, secure housing and why access to affordable homes matters.

A heartfelt thank you to the Department of Housing and Public Works for their ongoing partnership and commitment to creating safe, affordable housing opportunities that help people rebuild their lives.

Read Tony’s story and learn more about the importance of affordable housing:
https://ymcaqueensland.org.au/about/whats-happening-at-the-y/homelessness-action

04/08/2026

"Having a roof over your head means you're safe." 🏡 - Malcolm, a tenant at Y Queensland Housing - Melville Place

For Malcolm, finding a place to call home meant more than having somewhere to live. It meant no longer worrying about where he'd sleep, becoming part of a supportive community, and feeling hopeful about the future.

During Homelessness Week, we're sharing stories that highlight the life-changing impact of safe, secure housing and why access to affordable homes matters.

Read more about Malcolm's story and others on our website: https://ymcaqueensland.org.au/about/whats-happening-at-the-y/homelessness-action-now

30/07/2026

Know a young person who could benefit from a helping hand to pursue their passion?

Applications for the Variety Heart Scholarships are now open.

The scholarships provide $5,000 to help children and young people living with disability or experiencing disadvantage develop their talents, whether that's in sport, the arts, music, education or another area they're passionate about.
Applications close 31 August 2026.

Learn more via Variety Queensland's post below. 👇

This , meet Issy – the legally blind young musician whose voice is lighting up stages and hearts. Issy is a Variety Heart Scholarship recipient!

Did you know Variety Heart Scholarships are now open!

Do you know a child with talent, passion and determination who is experiencing disadvantage or living with disabilities and could benefit from a $5,000 Variety Heart Scholarship?

Whether they’re an aspiring musician, artist, athlete or high-achieving student, we’d love to hear from them.

Applications close 31 August 2026.

Find out more and apply here:
https://qld.variety.org.au/how-we-help/scholarships/

More of Issy’s story!

Issy lives with bilateral optic disc atrophy and is legally blind, but she has never let that define what’s possible. From teaching herself to play on a $20 keyboard to performing with her band, Clear Vision, Issy has spent years following her passion for music with talent, determination and heart.

A Variety Heart Scholarship has helped Issy continue developing her skills as a singer and songwriter, opening doors to new opportunities while pursuing her dream of a career in music.

Now in her final year as a Variety Heart Scholarship recipient, Issy’s journey is a wonderful reminder of what can happen when young people are given the opportunity to nurture their talents. Whether performing on stage, writing new songs or inspiring others through her story, she's proving that dreams are worth chasing.

29/07/2026

Escape the Boredroom. Build a Stronger Team. 🌿

Swap the office for the outdoors at Y Camp Warrawee – a unique team-building destination just 35 minutes north of Brisbane.

From adventure challenges and leadership activities to relaxed campfire experiences, our tailored corporate programs help teams connect, collaborate and create lasting memories together.
📍 Y Camp Warrawee, Joyner
💲 Programs from $90 per person
🏕️ Half-day, full-day and overnight experiences

Ready to bring your team together?
Enquire now: www.ymcacamping.com.au/corporate-camp #

14/07/2026

🌏 Today is World Youth Skills Day!

This year's theme, 'Skills for a Shared Future', recognises the importance of equipping young people with the skills, confidence and opportunities to shape what's next.

Across Y Queensland, young people are building skills in many different ways. Through our Y Schools Vocational Program, students gain practical skills and explore pathways beyond the classroom, while Queensland Youth Parliament gives young people the opportunity to develop their leadership, public speaking and advocacy skills and have their voices heard.

From learning and career pathways to leadership and community connection, we're proud to support young people as they build the skills to create a stronger, more inclusive future. 💙

08/07/2026

Y Schools Redlands were honoured to officially open our Yarning Circle with a meaningful Smoking Ceremony as we begin our NAIDOC Week celebrations.

We acknowledge the Quandamooka People, the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we learn, work and gather, and pay our respects to Elders past and present. We are incredibly fortunate to be located on the beautiful lands and waters of Redlands.

It was wonderful to bring together students and staff from both our Junior and Senior Redlands sites to share in this special occasion. The ceremony provided an opportunity to connect, reflect, and celebrate the rich culture, history and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

A huge thank you to Uncle Gene and his team for leading such a powerful and meaningful ceremony. Your wisdom, generosity and guidance helped create a memorable experience for our entire school community.

As we begin NAIDOC Week, we look forward to continuing to learn, listen, celebrate and walk together in respect and understanding.

06/07/2026

This week, we celebrate NAIDOC Week 2026, recognising and honouring the rich histories, cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

This year's theme, "50 Years of Deadly", celebrates five decades of recognising, celebrating and elevating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices, cultures and communities. It honours the people who have shaped this movement and those who continue to carry it forward.

At Y Queensland, NAIDOC Week is an opportunity to celebrate culture, strengthen connections and continue learning together. Across our centres, schools and services, we're recognising the week in a range of meaningful ways that reflect our ongoing commitment to reconciliation.

To learn more about how we're celebrating NAIDOC Week across Y Queensland: https://ymcaqueensland.org.au/about/whats-happening-at-the-y