What is Harald’s House?

Harald’s House is a community solution for homeless children and young people. It will provide a safe, stable home in Cairns for local kids – removing them from the risks of living on the street and helping to turn their troubled lives around.

Harald’s House is not a halfway house or a diversionary centre. It will be a home where kids will have supervision, rules, chores and a supportive environment while completing their education, training and/or finding a job.

Our Vision

Dr Harald Falge and his team care about children in Cairns who have nowhere else to go. They offer food and hope to kids through the street van and someone to turn to in times of desperate need.

But Harald has always wanted to do more for the homeless and disadvantaged youth of Cairns. His vision is to break the cycle of homelessness by providing a safe and secure place to live. Harald’s House will be a home built on the strong foundations of unconditional love, support and Christian faith. It also will give individuals the opportunity to discover personal growth, self worth, respect and discipline sadly lacking from their young lives.

Community fundraising over four years has already seen the tally grow to more than half our goal. Importantly, none of the money raised is from government handouts. Consistent with Harald’s philosophy that homelessness is a complex community issue, our belief is the solution must come from within the community.

Values

Harald’s House is a not-for-profit operation but for the young people living there, it is not a charity. They will be expected to participate as part of a family – doing chores, keeping house rules, budgeting and learning the skills they need to become capable, independent adults. They will contribute nominal board from their support benefits to learn the value of paying their own way.

Residents will experience how a functional, loving family and social environment operates as well as having access to community education programs to help take the next step towards realising their potential.

Living at Harald’s House will:

• Meet physical, social, emotional, intellectual and spiritual needs
• Teach life skills
• Nurture young lives.
• Train individuals for service to others
• Restore broken relationships (where possible)

Liz turns to a life full of promise

Over the years, Harald has come into contact with many young people who, against the odds, have been able to break the cycle of homelessness. Liz’s story is one of despair which turned to hope now she is no longer living on the streets. Imagine how many more kids will be able to re-build their lives with the benefit of Harald’s House.

“If it was there when I needed it, it probably would have been the best thing and I probably would have changed earlier.”
- Liz, aged 18

What will funds raised achieve?

Through the overwhelming support of businesses and individuals, almost $600,000 has been raised. Land has been pledged and once secured, local building company Glencorp, stands ready to mobilise a voluntary construction project to build Harald’s dream. It is testimony to the shared vision of the Cairns community to see our children and youth safe, thriving and able to reach their potential.

Bricks and mortar alone won’t help these kids. Electricity, food, rates, phone, maintenance and salaries are some of the costs which need to be met each year when Harald’s House is built. Our goal of raising $1 million will ensure a sustainable base is established to meet the ongoing operating expenses.

Harald’s House is at a critical stage. Every dollar raised now will be kept in trust in perpetuity to ensure Harald’s legacy becomes a reality.

The Network

For most of us who have grown up with the unconditional love and support of our family it is hard to comprehend the impact on children of not having a safe place to go at night.

When Harald started telling the story of homeless kids going hungry and being exploited by adults, many people in the Cairns community shared his vision to make a better future for our children. What started out initially as a small group of people cooking and distributing meals today is a multi-million dollar ministry built entirely on donations of time, food and equipment without government funding.

From those humble beginnings 18 years ago, literally thousands of people through community, church and service clubs have taken up the cause to make Harald’s House a reality. Individuals and businesses have sponsored the project with both cash and in-kind assistance. Others have offered to provide their expertise and products to help build the house itself. These generous donations and offers of support are giving hope of a better future for homeless youth.

What’s Needed?

• Cash is still the most valuable resource, with its ability to generate and compound interest to ensure Harald’s House is sustainable in the long term

• Support for our upcoming gala fund raising event at The Sebel Cairns on October 31 – your attendance and/or donation of prizes would assist greatly in ensuring the evening’s success

• Pledges of services, materials and labour for the building project

To discuss any of these options or for further information, please contact Harald’s House Committee chairperson Charlie McKillop on 0406 699 506. Your support will change lives.

How do I keep in touch?

To be kept informed of the latest information about Harald’s House, please go click on ‘Contact Us’ to lodge your preferred contact details.
We will keep you up to date as the project progresses.

Media contact: Charlie McKillop 0406 699 506

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