A PROPERTY and construction industry charity aimed at helping to combat youth homelessness will launch its young community leadership program for its Queensland branch in Brisbane on April 3.
With a swag of Queensland industry heavyweights already behind it, the Property Industry Foundation wants construction and property players big and small to lend a hand.
Established in NSW almost 20 years ago, the foundation draws on the industry’s skills and resources to help solve youth homelessness.
PIF expanded to Victoria in 2008 and has become the industry’s charity in both states, raising more than $1.5 million a year.
PIF chief executive officer Rosemary Smithson said the foundation’s expansion to Queensland was a natural progression.
“Queensland was the obvious next step and fortunately it coincides with a more buoyant time for the property market here.
“PIF’s vision is to unite the entire property and construction industry in an independent initiative to support community programs aimed at youth homelessness.”
The Queensland branch already has some impressive support on board including Cornerstone Properties, Leighton Properties, JLL, Herbert Smith Freehills, Urbis, DibbsBarker Lawyers, Property Council of Australia QLD Division, QIC, Charter Hall and Cox Rayner Architects.
Ms Smithson said PIF’s launch would kick off its PropertyBlitz young community leadership program which involves young people in our industry volunteering for major fundraising events and working bees for charities, and being a ‘buddy’ for at-risk youth.
“PropertyBlitz will target volunteers from middle management – the up and comers and future leaders of the industry,” she said.
A representative from Brisbane’s Youth Emergency Services – PIF’s inaugural Charity Partner receiving financial and in-kind support from the industry, will speak at the launch on Thursday, April 3 at The Laneway in the CBD.
For more information visit pif.com.au/QLD/
