Talking solutions to homelessness with Carla and Ella – South of the River podcast available
Bentleigh woman Carla Raynes (pictured, centre) is achieving positive outcomes for homeless people in the south through her innovative not-for-profit, Bridge It.
The organisation, based in St Kilda, provides young women and gender diverse people who have experienced the out-of-home care system or homelessness with a safe home, a community, and the support to thrive.
Alli Harding (pictured, right) interviewed Carla, along with 18-year-old Ella (pictured, left), who lives in one of the 16 apartments in ‘The Cocoon’. Ella, a proud First Nations and Maori woman, shared experiences of her challenging childhood and adolescence – as well as her ambitions to work in community services – with Alli during the conversation.
The Cocoon is a 19-apartment property in St Kilda owned by community housing provider, HousingFirst. It provides a place for at-risk people to recover, stabilise, develop life and living skills, and prepare for long-term housing.
Bridge It receives no government funding and relies entirely on donations and grants to operate.
To find out more, including how you can help, visit bridgeit.org.au. Bridge It is a registered charity with Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status. Donations of $2 or more are tax-deductible in Australia.
If you, or somebody you know, is in crisis, call St Kilda Crisis Contact Centre on 9536 7777.
If your life is in danger, call Triple zero (000).
Call Lifeline for support on 13 11 14.