laptop and access to data is more than a
digital device, it can be a gateway to rebuilding lives, completing school or other training,
securing safe accommodation, and learning new skills that lead to employment.
Zen Tea Lounge Foundation Ltd
Donation by Anonymous
Queensland
An early Christmas for animals and children
Our animal rescue recently received a generous donation of dog toys, cat toys, bin bags, and Chux wipes. These items were distributed across our incredible foster network, ensuring that animals in care had toys to play with and enrichment to brighten their days. The toys have been a huge hit, bringing joy, stimulation and comfort to pets waiting for their forever homes.The cleaning supplies were also appreciated by foster carers, helping them manage the inevitable mess that comes with caring for animals. This thoughtful donation has made a real difference in supporting both our foster families and the animals they nurture.
“As a disabled person, this gift made me feel proud – physically and mentally.”
“I’ve only had one pair of sneakers—held together by five layers of super glue. These new shoes gave me more than comfort. They gave me self-esteem.”
“I stared at them for two weeks like they were in a shrine. When I finally wore them into the city, I treated myself to a haircut and beard trim. I felt confident. I felt proud. I haven’t felt that in many moons.
“I’m deeply grateful. As a disabled person, this gift made me feel proud – physically and mentally.”
All quotes are from David, a Stepping Stone Clubhouse member who lives with mental ill-health and chronic pain.
Luxury gifts
One of our clients, Sarah*, has struggled through domestic violence and is trying her best to single-parent her 10-year-old daughter, whilst working full time and budgeting her money to pay for increasing housing costs and food. She was so grateful to be given this hand cream as it’s a luxury item that she currently can’t afford. These opportunities give our community a sense of dignity to be thought of as worthy of a gift of something special, and it reinforces to them that we value them as a person and we care about them.
Extra Sporty Support
We’ve been able to give a family of disadvantaged kids some shoes where they were otherwise unable to afford shoes at all. They’ve been so overwhelmed by the gift of something that is so necessary for normal life but so unavailable to them on a day to day basis. We’ve also been able to support indigenous soccer teams with some of the soccer boots that came in that has helped families who have so little money to spare for specific sports shoes that they have been grateful for the help. The kids have been able to play as part of the team wearing the same kind of gear and it makes them feel so much more normal when some of the other areas of their lives feel so not normal.
Mobile SIM Cards improve engagement
We utilised the SIM cards to assist our clients to stay engaged in our treatment program. Many of our clients do not have phones or money for credit, they may be without housing, recently released from prison or have financial hardship. We purchased unlocked phones and gave these to clients with a SIM card.
*Kim said that offering phones and the SIM helped them to access the nurse and case manager for appointments.
*David said that without the access to a phone and SIM he would not have been able to access the nurse to arrange an appointment or to access treatment.
Flood assistance
We were privileged to distribute Bath Mats and cleaning cloths to properties that had been impacted by the devastating floods earlier in the year. Everyone that we offered a Bath Mat to very quickly said ‘Yes Please!’ Cleaning clothes were a great bonus to have as well.
Keeping on track with Optus
We were able to help Diana* who was fleeing DV with three children living in their car, she responded with the following:
“Thank you for the Optus 360 SIM card. I was attacked and robbed and had my ID taken and now I can use the phone to organise things and get me and my kids life back on track.”
