Published in the Canberra Chronicle 18/05/2010

From the article:

Tony’s Place, one of two homeless shelters in north Canberra, is not immune to the rental squeeze faced by most Canberans.

The shelter, currently operating out of a rented five bedroom home in scullin, is seeking the help of the Canberra community so they can buy their own property to house young homeless men.

Run by the not for profit Bridge back to Life Foundation, Tony’s Place provides supported accommodation to homelessmen aged between 18 and 25.

Residents are selected on a need basis, put through a basic living skills course and are then supported to find their own independent accommodation.

Bridge Back to Life Foundation manager Katherine Obad said the process took about three months.

“Sometimes they stay longer, but the ACT Government is already swamped, so a lot of our residents have finished their program and they remain on at the house until we find them a home.” she said.

“Many of them who have moved on independently are living normal lives and none have returned to homelessness.:

Ms Obad siad Tony’s Place could house five young men, a very small number compared to the need.

“We don’t have the room for any more in the house and I get phone calls all day, every day for me to take people, but we just don’t have the room unfortunately,” she said.

The foundation is seeking to get out of the rental game and purchase a property of their own, with the possibility of expansion down the track.

“That way we can’t get kicked out and we’re not paying someone else’s mortgage, it just gives us a bit of stability for them,” Ms Obad said.

Just last week the foundation was awarded a $50,000 grant from the Penguin publishers, an amount which Ms Obad said would make a big difference in their quest for home ownership.

While they continue to fundraise for the cause, they are seeking pledges from the community to present to the bank.

“We’re determined to get it one way or another and it would just be outstanding if organisations could consider committing to a donation,” she said.

“At the moment with the $50,000, we are sitting in a position where we will go to the bank and present them with our business plan and propose to grant us a mortgage.

“The people who live in the house at the moment, they make a financial contribution towards rent [so] that will cover the mortgage [but we need] commitments to present to the bank.

“We would appreciate if organisations would consider committing funds of any size and provide a letter of support to us that they will continue to do that for a number of years. Otherwise, what it will mean is if we don’t get any, we will have to continue to do the fundraising and that’s a really long process.”

Bridge Back to Life’s next fundraising event will be a trivia night on Saturday at the Magpies Club in Civic from 7pm.

Entry is $12 per person. The night will also feature a silent auction of items including wines and a framed Brumbies signed jersey.

For more information, or to book a table, contact Karen Bennett 0422 366 066.

For more detail – please check out this site: http://www.brycecourtenay.com/article.asp?aid=35

A prize of $50,000 will be presented by Bryce Courtenay to the winner of The Power of
One Australian Hero Award to assist that person to continue their work in the community.

‘The power of one is the decision to make a difference without expecting recognition’

Our Founder Rhonda Obad has been nominated for the award and has been short listed for this year’s award.

The winner will be announced Monday 10 May, 2010.
Click on to read more http://www.brycecourtenay.com/article.asp?aid=13

Please consider our precious environment save our energy and water by investing in environmental friendly products that is powered by Australian sun.

Click here to Contact the Foundation

Or if you wish to donate – Click here to make a Donation

Rhonda Obad had a dream to open a house for men at risk of homelessness.

Her dream was realised last year with the opening of Tony’s Place, and on the eve of it’s first birthday in September, the venture has proved successful and has drastically improved the  life of men who have lived there.

Ms Obad, who has spent the past 20 years helping homeless people, opened Tony’s Place after the death of her son. The house is named in his honour.

There are currently six men living at Tony’s Place.

The men undertake skill living programs while they are in the house, with the ultimate aim for them to be able to live independently.

Ms Obad, who does not live at the premises, said the men paid the rent, the bills and were responsible for keeping the house clean.

“Because of their living skills they maintain it all here,” she said.

“My role is to oversee the program and meet their needs.”

Over the past year, Ms Obad has also arranged for the men to see a dentist and access psychologist and psychiatrist services.

Living in the house has also allowed the men to find work and pursue study. Shannon Fitzallen has just completed a Certificate 3 in government and in business administration, and a Certificate 2 in business and in information technology.

“We are a little family here,” Ms Obad said. “I love all of them, all in different ways. Love does go a long way.”

Resident Josh McIntyre said if it wasn’t for Ms Obad he would be on the streets.

“I just want to praise her beautiful soul for doing it,” he said.

Tony’s Place is the first of its kind in Canberra and was originally made possible with the help of the Snow Foundation, numerous businesses from around the region and the generosity of the public.

However Ms Obad said the community could still help them with funding so the men could get to doctors appointments and continue to take part in nutritional and life skill programs.

It’s so important for the community to know about it,” she said.

“All funds go to the home and go towards their programs.” Looking to the future, Ms Obad said what she would really like was some ACT Government funding in recognition of the work they did at Tony’s Place.

“We’re run by volunteers,” she said.

“Here the government is speaking about affordable housing for homelessness. How successful is this program and yet there’s no acknowleging how sustainable it is.

“Who has done it? The boys. It can be done.”

If you would like to donate or help in any way to Tony’s Place, please visit http://bridgebacktolife.com.au