Connect Kids

You could help change the direction of a child or young person's life. Two hours a fortnight and a positive influence can have a really big impact.

Connect Kids is a broad based volunteer mentoring program designed to support vulnerable kids on the Sunshine Coast with the aim to end the cycle of inter-generational disadvantage in our communities. Our mentors have fun and provide positive role modelling, friendship and encouragement. Visit the website to become a part of our volunteer team.

31/08/2026

Mark it in the diary! Saturday 10 October, we're heading to the Sunshine Coast Turf Club in Caloundra for the Connect Kids Long Lunch, an afternoon of great food, entertainment, and community spirit, all in support of a worthy cause.

Running 12pm to 5pm, tickets are $200pp, or gather your crew and secure a table of 10 for $2,000.

Your ticket includes canapés on arrival, a two course luncheon, and a four hour drinks package, while you connect with fellow supporters, local businesses, and community leaders. Expect live entertainment, raffles and auctions, and access to betting facilities, plus the Caulfield Guineas streaming live on the big screen.

Every ticket purchased helps support Connect Kids' work, making a real difference in the lives of local children and families.

There are also opportunities to sponsor a table and amplify your impact. Contact Gordon on [email protected] or 0424 670 892 to find out more.

Tickets and full details via the link in bio.
https://www.connectkids.com.au/events/long-lunch-2026

27/08/2026

We believe everyone deserves to live in a community where they can be happy, healthy, and safe. But we know that no matter your postcode, that is not always the reality.

Many children grow up without their most basic rights met. In the worst cases, abuse becomes a constant, and the cycle repeats. Research shows children who experience abuse have a 70% chance of repeating that pattern in the next generation.

But something as simple as positive connection can reduce a child's risk of disadvantage by 30%. Add a mentoring relationship, and that risk drops further still.

At Connect Kids, we exist to break that cycle. One relationship, one connection, one child at a time.

Because we receive no government funding, every donation goes directly into making this possible.

24/08/2026

Be the change your community needs.

Our 100 x 1000 program is asking 100 local businesses to commit $1000 a year to Connect Kids. Because we receive no government funding, this kind of ongoing business support goes straight into programs that change kids' lives.

A huge thank you to the businesses already on board, including Kawana Flooring, Fox Services, and Thea Media. Your support is already making a difference.

If you run a business on the Sunshine Coast, this is your invitation to be one of the 100.

Know a business that might be interested? Tag them below.

18/08/2026

Every mentor match starts with a conversation like this one. A parent, hopeful and a little nervous, meeting the person who might change their child's world.

Here is what one mum told us after meeting her son's new mentor, Charli:
Note on the quote below: this is reproduced exactly as supplied, with only the young person's real name replaced by "Jon" for privacy.

"Thank you for organising today's meeting. I was really happy to meet and spend some time talking with both Lily and Charli. My first impression is that Charli feels like a really good match for Jon. He has a genuine sparkle about him, and I think Jon will really benefit from spending time with someone like him. Jon is a beautiful young man who has carried an enormous amount of grief at such a young age. My hope is that having a mentor will help him build confidence in himself, feel connected again, and simply enjoy doing the kinds of things boys his age should have the chance to do. Thank you, Charli. It was a pleasure meeting you today.

I genuinely feel I've made the right decision, and I'm grateful that Jon has this opportunity."

This is why mentoring matters.

16/08/2026

🌱 And just like that... he's all grown up. 💚

Five years ago, Jack was just a young kid who needed a few people in his corner. Since then, we've had the privilege of walking alongside him and his family—supporting them through housing challenges, appointments, education, advocacy, and all the ups and downs that life throws their way.

Today, we're proud to say that Jack is absolutely smashing it.

🏉 He's an up-and-coming rugby star.
💪 At just 14 years old, he's landed his very first job.
🌿 He's now offering lawn mowing and landscaping services around Maroochydore and surrounding areas.

After doing an incredible job on his first lawn, Jack has set himself a goal of growing his own little business. He's motivated, reliable, turns up ready to work, and has his own equipment and transport.

If you or someone you know needs their lawns mowed, gardens tidied up, or basic landscaping done, we'd love for you to help support this hardworking young bloke as he builds his future.

Every opportunity given to a young person like Jack helps build confidence, independence, and a brighter future.

📩 Send us a message and we'll put you in touch with Jack.
These are the stories that remind us why we do what we do. ❤️

12/08/2026

Every kilometre of this run goes toward supporting kids and families who need it most.

Because we receive no government funding, every dollar raised goes straight into our programs, not red tape.

Learn more about Linn’s run and donate if you’re in a position to. Every dollar counts.

https://linns-261km-for-261000.raiselysite.com/

10/08/2026

Right now there are kids on the Sunshine Coast waiting for one thing. Someone to show up for them, week after week, no matter what.

You do not need special qualifications. You just need a couple of hours a fortnight and a genuine willingness to be present.

For some kids, a mentor becomes the first steady adult in their life who isn't there because they have to be, but because they want to be.
Could that be you?

06/08/2026

Some feedback hits you right in the heart.

This is feedback is exactly what Intensive Family Support means to us. We don't believe in creating dependence. We believe in walking beside families while they find their feet again. We teach. We empower. We encourage families to pass that knowledge on so the next challenge doesn't feel impossible.

When a family is in crisis, nothing else matters until we get the basics right.

🥫 Food – Noone should go hungry.
🏡 Housing – Everyone deserves a safe place to call home.
❤️ Safety – Kids need to feel safe before they can thrive.
Once those three pillars are in place, that's when the real work begins.

We help parents learn how to advocate for their children, navigate the NDIS, schools, housing, Centrelink, Child Safety and health systems. We don't just make the phone calls for them. We show them how to do it themselves, so next time they're stronger, more confident and know they've got this.

Sometimes our biggest job isn't fixing the problem. Sometimes it's helping someone believe they can fix the next one. That's what advocacy looks like. That's what empowerment looks like.

And that's what Connect Kids is all about.

💚 Empowering Children. Strengthening Families. Building Community.

Address

8 Norval Court
Sunshine Coast, QLD
4558

Telephone

+61435410284

Website

https://www.connectkids.com.au/

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