KSS October eKourier 2024

CHARITY

STEPPING UP FOR CHANGE: FIZZ'S JOURNEY WITH SUTS

The KSS boxes are a huge part of the event year after year, making up the fab shelters. What does it mean to you to have this ongoing partner- ship, supporting the event and SSH? Being a family business with a focus on Creating Space For Change, this partnership means a lot. It’s amazing to see everyone come together, build their shelters, and get involved. Supporting the community is at the heart of what we do, we are The People Who Care, and this event is a perfect way to make a positive impact. What is your top tip (or tips) for people who are participating for the first time this year? If you are thinking of getting involved just register, don’t overthink it. If this is your first year, layer up and get involved, there are plenty of events happening throughout the night so you will find it will go pretty quick and you will finish with a sense of achievement. How does it feel to take part as a team? What does the team take away from the event? Taking part as a team is an amazing experience! It brings us together in a unique way, outside of the usual work environment. There’s a shared sense of pride knowing we're contributing to something bigger than ourselves. What’s the KSS team name and how can the team get involved? We are the Kennards Freedom Fighters, and we are officially ready to take on Sleep Under the Stars at Barangaroo on 25th October! We'd love for you to join the team of legends, It's not to late! But if you're not feeling the whole "Sleeping Under the Stars" vibe and would rather support from the comfort of your cozy bed, donations are more than welcome! Every dollar helps this awesome cause! Sharon Munro EA to the CEO Check out the page here: https://shorturl.at/WU7Bn

We recently sat down with Fizz (Fiona Harding) to talk about her

the long-term assistance needed to break the cycle of homelessness. The solution, I believe, lies in a combination of approaches. We need to increase the availability of affordable housing, invest more in youth-specific support services, and address the root causes of homelessness, such as family violence and mental health issues. Why Stepping Stone House? Kennards Storage has been a major sponsor since the house's inception. We know the model works, and it’s proven. Investing care, time and support in these young people now, leads to better long-term outcomes where they can be self supported, resilient and strong leaders of the future. I love that it's not just a shelter, it’s a home. Yes! In 2020, the Covid years, I slept on my uncovered balcony. When it rained at 2am, I had to use the BBQ cover as an emergency shelter. In 2021, I upped my game by dragging a bunch of KSS boxes to a park in Homebush to build a “luxury” shelter around a park bench. It wasn’t luxury. The wind, rain and mosquitos definitely won that round! The experience gives you an appreciation but doesn’t even scratch the surface of life without a stable home. Did you join the 2020 and 2021 online sleep outs?

long-standing involvement in the Sleep Under the Stars event. As the event marks its tenth year, Fizz is preparing for her ninth year participating. Over the years, Fizz has personally raised more than $41,000 to support young people experiencing homelessness. Her commitment to the cause and belief in the positive impact of Stepping Stone House (SSH) shines through. Seeing the incredible impact on the young people at SSH and how much the event grows each year. The first year raised under $160,000 and now it's gained so much momentum, that last year it raised over $1.3 million. It’s amazing to see new faces and know we’re making a difference. What motivates you to keep coming back to the event? Why do you feel strongly about youth homelessness? It’s hard to understand how, in a country like Australia, homeless - ness remains such a significant problem. While the issue is complex, the shortage of affordable housing is a major barrier. On top of that, there are gaps in the social safety net. Even though support systems exist, they often fall short of providing

21 Kennards Kourier Oct 2024