Supporting Kids Under Cover this Christmas

By Ivana Molnar, marketing and communications manager at The District

A Carols for Cover fundraising event will be held to support Kids Under Cover – a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to preventing youth homelessness.

The festive season has begun and as we count down to the big day, a huge feast, presents and holidays, we often forget that there are many that don’t have a home to go to, a high percentage of those are young people.

Over the past 18 months, The District Docklands has been fundraising for Kids Under Cover, which is dedicated to supporting vulnerable young people between the ages of 12 and 25 years who are either already homeless or at risk of homelessness.

During the early stages of our transformation, The District Docklands took the opportunity to partner with our builder, architect and project managers to build a cubby house that was auctioned off at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show in the 2018 Cubby House Challenge, raising $15,000 for Kids Under Cover. It was then that our fundraising for Kids Under Cover began and we realised the importance of continued efforts to help make a difference in our community.

The Kids Under Cover youth homelessness prevention initiatives are practical, simple and effective. Homelessness is not just about having a roof over your head. Kids Under Cover is invested in providing young people with the foundations of a secure and stable place to call home, supported by scholarships for education and job training.

The issues that lead someone to become homeless are complex and varied. Many young people are burdened by the disadvantages of poverty, neglect, abuse, unemployment, substance abuse, health complications, disability and mental illness. Often, they feel like the only option is to leave. Kids Under Cover relies on fundraising to build relocatable studios in the backyard of a family or carer’s home, to relieve overcrowding and provide young people with a safe environment where they can continue to thrive, while staying connected to their home, education and support networks.

The District Docklands fundraising efforts have seen over $60,000 go towards homelessness prevention initiatives and we are not stopping there! In November, The District team joined Kids Under Cover CEO Jo Swift for a four-day trek to raise money to build more studios, allowing Kids Under Cover to achieve another amazing milestone, handing over the 1000th studio key to a new recipient. But let’s not forget the families on the waiting list. To close off the year, join us for a night of carols as we raise money for this incredible organisation. See Anthony Callea live, along with supporting acts, The Voice Australia finalist Aydan, Australia’s Got Talent contestant Jael Wena, Santa and a fireworks display - Sunday, December 22 at 7.30pm, next to the Melbourne Star.

To donate to Kids Under Cover visit kuc.org.au