Karyn is CEO of Micah Projects, a community-based organisation committed to creating justice and responding to injustice in the lives of individuals, women, children and families – whilst creating equality, inclusion and acceptance.
“I don’t think government can deliver services alone,” says Karyn. “They need partnerships with community based organisations who have built up their recognition and social capital within their communities.”
“I think not-for-profit community-based organisations like Micah Projects and YFS have a unique opportunity to make a difference, and to engage all the people and organisations we work with to help make that difference together.”
Micah Projects and YFS collaborate on the Advance to Zero campaign which aims to prevent, reduce, and end homelessness by ensuring everyone has access to the right housing – with the right support.
“We’re using data to inform our decisions and to advocate for housing that meets the needs of the people we’re working with, which we often refer to as supportive housing.”
“YFS is well positioned within the community to provide integrated support – and I know it’s always been a passion of YFS, from the start, to meet people’s needs comprehensively.”
While Micah Projects facilitates Brisbane Zero and YFS facilitates Logan Zero, Karyn highlights the importance of strong partnerships and sharing data across regions.
“There’s no border for someone who is experiencing homelessness. So you really need to be partnering across areas to make sure people don’t have to start all over again.”
Karyn also recognises that while people move across regions, the social infrastructure in every community is different, so any strategy to end homelessness must be agile and not prescriptive.
“Every community is different so we know collaborating to end homelessness will look different everywhere, but the common themes are that we know people by name and we have quality data.”
“We use the Australian Homelessness Vulnerability Triage Tool to match people and housing, and to understand what resources and services the community as a whole needs.”
By regularly collecting data from people experiencing homelessness and from the workers supporting them, the Advance to Zero partnerships also help identify reforms needed within the statewide housing system – and the campaign is growing.
“As well as Gold Coast Zero, which is already established, there’s work happening in the Sunshine Coast and Central Queensland.”
In Karyn’s view, a strength both Micah Projects and YFS bring to the Advance to Zero campaigns are their long histories being part of, and supporting, communities in Brisbane and Logan.
“I remember, right from their founding days YFS had a very grassroots community engagement, always asking what do people want? What do they need? And that has continued over the years.”
“YFS is a very strong advocate for people experiencing disadvantage in Logan. We share common values and I hope we continue to partner together well into the future.”
