We are pleased to launch the first ever Australian Kindness Wall of its kind in Tweed Heads, NSW.
The Kindness Wall is a meaningful and sustainable project where community members can donate jackets or blankets to the people who need them the most.
The concept of the wall came to life after Momentum’s Marketing Communications Manager, Cassia Cruz, brainstormed ways to support homeless people in the freezing temperatures experienced in winter.
“Momentum’s Kindness Wall is a great opportunity for everyone to help those in need and give back to their community. It’s easy, simple and quick. Those who need a jacket can take one, and those who want to donate can leave one. These donated items are handy during the colder seasons as our vulnerable community struggle to stay warm and safe”, says Cassia.
“We want to empower those who would like to help. The idea is to enable community members to look after the wall with kindness, and instead of throwing out what you don’t need, you can give it to someone who may need it.”
With homelessness being more prevalent than ever, more than 116,000 Australians are experiencing homelessness on any given night, and out of those people around 8,200 ‘sleep rough’ in improvised dwellings, tents, or outdoors. Despite only having 4% of the NSW population, the Northern Rivers is home to 20% of NSW rough sleepers and this devastating statistic may be new to some readers. It is crucial we share awareness on these statistics as there are many Australians experiencing homelessness and need support.
“We want to empower those who would like to help. The idea is to enable community members to look after the wall with kindness, and instead of throwing out what you don’t need, you can give it to someone who may need it.” – Marketing Manager, Cassia Cruz
Not having a safe and stable place to call home is the stark reality for many people living in Australia. Momentum Collective’s Caseworker, Gail, witnesses first-hand how homelessness impacts her clients.
“When clients of our Specialist Homelessness Service first come to us, they feel a mix of many emotions. Some feel frightened, angry, emotional, and some fear their little children will be removed from them as they have nowhere to go.”
“The statistics are quite alarming. In the last couple of years, we have seen an increase of 27% in homelessness in the Northern Rivers, and 39% being homeless for the first time”, said Gail.
Momentum Collective has been overwhelmed with unwavering support from Tweed shire Councillor, Dr Nola Firth, who has supported our Kindness wall initiative with open arms. She is compassionate about supporting and giving back to the vulnerable people in need and is hugely focused on looking after our planet. Dr Nola believes the whole community has a shared responsibility in tackling homelessness and caring for each other and the environment.
“An extremely high amount of clothes go to landfill each year, contributing to our environmental crisis. Momentum’s Kindness Wall promotes a positive message of recycling clothes you no longer need and the idea of giving back to the vulnerable people who need our support.”
If you are thinking of ways to give back during Homelessness Week or contributing to your community, please spread the word to your loved ones and friends.
Our Kindness Wall is located outside the Momentum Collective’s Head Office at 35 Wharf Street, Tweed Heads, NSW.
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live and work, and pay respect to Ancestors, Elders both past, present and the emerging Jarjums.
