The Lions Club of Cudal Cargo and District has donated $3,000 to Veritas House and has challenged other local service clubs to match or exceed their commitment to supporting local young people experiencing homelessness.

Veritas recently announced a fundraising appeal to raise $250,000 to purchase a Transitional Youth Housing property in Orange to assist young people who are exiting crisis accommodation to transition into independent living. After seeing the Appeal in the Central Western Daily, the local service club made the decision to donate and to encourage other local service organisations to follow their lead.

The donation was gratefully accepted by Veritas House CEO, Jody Pearce who was pleasantly surprised by the size of the donation.

“When the President of the Lions Club of Cudal Cargo and District, Darcy Callan contacted us to arrange the cheque presentation, we never anticipated their contribution would be so significant,” said Jody. “For a service club with just 14 members, $3,000 is an impressive donation and we are delighted that the members felt that our appeal is worthy of their support.”

For many local young people experiencing homelessness that stay at Veritas’ youth refuge and who cannot return safely to their homes, it can be difficult to secure a lease in the private rental market with no prior rental history and limited finances. To help address, Veritas hopes to raise enough funds to purchase a one or two-bedroom flat which it will operate as a transitional youth housing property, to assist young people who are transitioning from homelessness to independence.

Veritas House was established in the Central West more than 35 years ago and has grown to become one of the largest providers of youth homelessness and foster care services in the Bathurst and Orange regions.

Tax deductible donations to the Veritas House Transitional Housing Appeal can be made using PayPal from the Veritas House website or by contacting Narelle Stocks on 1300 01 1973 for direct deposit bank details.