Members of the Ipswich Youth Advisory Council (IYAC) have more than doubled their efforts this year with three organisations across Ipswich involved in the Christmas Hamper Project.
IYAC’s Christmas Hamper Project, in its second year, is focussed on creating and delivering hampers filled with essentials and gifts to at risk youth and families experiencing homelessness or unstable accommodation ahead of Christmas.
Youth Council member and project lead Kori Besgrove said the youth council decided to make the project bigger and better this year to support and promote smaller not-for-profits in the community.
“I think it was a really great effort from IYAC that we were able to make one organisation into three this year,” she said.
“Last year we supported Hannah’s House and this year we decided to do it (the project) again but do it bigger.”
IYAC registered with Hannah’s House again this year as well as joined forces with the Queensland Times, Adopt-a-Family Christmas appeal and Integrated Family Youth Service to provide additional support to members in the community experiencing financial hardship or difficulty.
Depending on the needs of each organisation, packs were put together with items such as backpacks, drink bottles, food containers, non-perishable food items and games families could enjoy together.
Hampers packed and ready to supply to the Hannah’s House organisation.
Youth Council member Zara Childs said being able to serve the community first hand especially throughout Christmas was something she felt strongly about.
“It’s great as a young person to be able to be the driving wheel to steer change because often we don’t realise we’re in the perfect seat to do so,” she said.
IYAC is a youth engagement initiative facilitated by Ipswich City Council’s Community Development and Engagement Section; it is made up of 20 young people from Ipswich ranging in age from 16 to 25 years, meeting monthly to advocate for the community from a youth perspective.
The aim of IYAC is to ensure Ipswich’s young people are heard on the issues they care about and are empowered to undertake change-making initiatives across the city – designed by young people, for young people.
To find out more about IYAC visit here: https://www.ipswich.qld.gov.au/community/children-and-youth/youth-advisory-council