ACU Engagement update – 3 May

105,237 people in Australia are homeless

Enabling our community’s most vulnerable people to have access to proper hygiene upholds human dignity, and is key to enhancing health, wellbeing and a sense of self. With the support of ACU Engagement and Campus Ministry, the ACU Community Impact Network (CIN) are facilitating a university-wide ‘Personal Hygiene Product’ collection over the month of May (Tuesday 1 May – Thursday 31 May). You can donate now at your campus concierge.

What can I donate?

New or unused travel-sized personal hygiene products for men and women such as:

• Soap/Hand sanitiser
• Razors
• Moisturiser
• Body wash/Shower gel
• Deodorant
• Toothbrushes/Toothpaste
• Shampoo/Conditioner
• Sunscreen
• Brushes/Combs
• Lip balm
• Female sanitary items

Your donations will be sorted into small packs and delivered to those in need in your local community. The ACU Community Impact Network (CIN) have collaborated with local charities to help support a specific community need. See below for any specific items requested by our community partners.

Melbourne Campus

Items donated at the Melbourne Campus will be sent to St. Mary's House of Welcome who provide services (including showering facilities) for individuals and families who are doing it tough and/or are homeless. St. Mary’s House of Welcome have specifically requested razors.

If you have any questions regarding this initiative, contact Karen.Campbell@acu.edu.au.

North Sydney and Strathfield Campuses

Items donated at the North Sydney and Strathfield Campuses will be sent to Arrupe Place of the Jesuit Refugee Service Australia who provide support and services to refugees and others who have been displaced.

Strathfield: If you have any questions regarding this initiative, contact Olivia.Lee@acu.edu.au.

North Sydney: If you have any questions regarding this initiative, contact Vivien.Cinque@acu.edu.au.

Brisbane Campus

Items donated at the Brisbane Campus will be sent to Blind Eye Ministries who provide a daytime sanctuary for the most vulnerable in Brisbane, providing shower facilities, lunch, meaningful conversations and more.
If you have any questions regarding this initiative, contact Isabelle.Lys@acu.edu.au.

Canberra Campus

Items donated at the Canberra Campus will be sent to the Vinnies Night Patrol Van to support their mobile outreach services for people who are homeless. The Vinnies Night Patrol Van have specifically asked for female sanitary items.

If you have any questions regarding this initiative, contact Emma.Young@acu.edu.au.

Ballarat Campus

Items donated at the Ballarat Campus will be sent to the ‘Pop Up Shop’ and ‘One Humanity Shower Bus’ who support and provide services to those who are homeless and others doing it tough.

If you have any questions regarding this initiative, contact Emma.Hoare@acu.edu.au.

Become a donation champion

If you would like to become a donation champion and lead a collection in your area, email us at acuengagement@acu.edu.au and we will provide you with signage and promotional materials.

Meet Georgia Draper

Hi, my name is Georgia Draper and I am the Administrative Officer at the Melbourne Campus here at ACU Engagement. I have been working with the ACU Engagement team for three months having previously worked with ACU’s Centre for Health and Social Research (CHaSR) as a research assistant.

At ACU Engagement I provide administrative support to the team. I am lucky enough to also contribute to the community engagement activities and opportunities for our staff and students. Recently I assisted with running the Homework Support program, and was involved with the organisation of the Read to Learn program and the Big Issue CEO selling event.

I enjoy working at ACU for the variety of tasks I am able to undertake in my role and am very much looking forward to the future of ACU Engagement.

Community engagement opportunities for staff

ACU Engagement is committed to ensuring that all ACU staff and students have the opportunity to make a contribution to their community that is feasible and meaningful to them, whilst meeting community needs in a way that is valuable and respectful. For a full list of community engagement opportunities for staff you can visit our Workplace group. Be sure to become a member to stay up to date with future opportunities.

For more information, to register your interest for an opportunity, or if you are aware of more opportunities you think we should know about, please email us at acuengagement@acu.edu.au