ROSIES Youth Mission has opened a further 70 places in its volunteer programs in Brisbane, with the aim of increasing the number of active volunteers from 130 to 200 within a year.
At the same time, Rosies, which reaches out to homeless and other troubled young people, will ask volunteers to commit to fortnightly instead of monthly duties.
Rosies’ Brisbane co-ordinator Dominic Mapstone said the task of volunteers was developing relationships.
‘The more frequently volunteers are face-to-face with people who are homeless or in detention, the easier this task becomes,’ he said.
Forty per cent of volunteers have responded to the call to double their hours.
‘Rosies volunteers are already very busy people, either studying or working full-time, so we are delighted with the response,’ said Dominic.
An information night for people interested in becoming volunteers was held last Tuesday night.
Feedback from volunteers has suggested that the fortnightly outreach will make it easier to retain volunteers, because they will be able to outreach more frequently.
‘Rosies has thrived in Brisbane for 15 years, giving young people the opportunity to put their faith into action,’ said Dominic.
Last year, Rosies workers in Brisbane made contact with homeless people or those in youth detention on more than 30,000 occasions.
For more information about becoming a Rosies volunteer, phone (07) 3391 7570.
