LENDLEASE AND IKEA JOIN FORCES TO HELP QLD WOMEN AND CHILDREN ESCAPING FAMILY AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
National charity yourtown have received a combined $125,000 donation from Lendlease’s shared value initiative, FutureSteps, and furniture giant IKEA to help build and furnish a new transitional home in Queensland.
Lendlease has donated $100,000 in funding and IKEA has contributed $25,000 worth of furniture to the project. The new four-bedroom home will provide safe and secure accommodation for women and children escaping domestic and family violence.
Tracy Adams, CEO, yourtown shared the impact this project with have: “Each family who find their way to this home, will know that they are not alone, that their safety and the safety of their children is something that really matters, and that the aspirations they have can be realised. The development of this home is a wonderful example of how community coming together can be part of the solution.”
Lendlease Group Head of Investment and Chair of the FutureSteps Advisory Committee Kylie Rampa said: “Family and domestic violence affects too many women in Australia, so being able to provide a safe place for women and children is of paramount importance. The project will directly support them as they are getting back on their feet for many years to come.”
The home is constructed by yourtown’s social enterprise initiative, which provides training and employment to young job seekers at risk of long-term unemployment and supports them in gaining a certificate in construction. As many as 10 young people will work on the delivery of the project.
IKEA delivered items to assist with the build of the property, such as cupboards, bathrooms and in-built items in late June. Bhumika Selot, IKEA Australia Sustainability Business Partner said: “We’re proud to be supporting yourtown’s new transitional home, and hope that in working with yourtown, our product donation will enable women and children find a place they can call home.”