Fortuna Foundation Launch New Mobile Laundry Van for Homeless
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The Positive Spin Mobile Laundry Van for the homeless initiative by Fortuna Foundation will be launching on the 27th of August 2021. The Van will be embarking on a roadshow to Ramelius Resources, primary sponsor of the project, Wanneroo Business Association offices, the City of Wanneroo, and to ECU School of Business and Law, before finishing up at the Fortuna office on the same day for a sundowner to raise awareness and thank major sponsors and supporters.
It is roughly estimated that 9,000 people in West Australia experience homelessness every night, with nearly 1,100 of these people sleeping rough and about 1,200 under twelve years of age. The mobile laundry service will assist those in need to access proper hygiene and care, with flow on effects of improved dignity, connectedness to others and the community, and the increased confidence to seek out employment as a result of having clean clothes to wear. Fortuna Foundation hopes to foster life-long friendships with those they encounter through the vans service, wishing to change the trajectory of their lives even if by just a small fraction.
Outreach volunteers within the organisation note why the success of the van is so important. “We had been out on the streets plenty of times, providing goods and speaking to the homeless; we were transformed by their stories. At times we wanted to give up, it was too difficult or too time consuming, however not seeing it through would have been harder; we had to lessen the burden of homelessness on their existence, which they often cite as being “very painful”.
The Positive Spin Van will be operating in the northern corridor of Perth, predominantly servicing the Joondalup – Wanneroo region while also potentially servicing areas around Caversham and Beechboro. Its operation will involve partnering with other service providers, for instance churches and community groups who provide services such as food kitchens. Not only will the van impact the lives of many homeless people in Perth by covering the welfare gap that currently exists through the provision of free mobile laundry services, but also through the simple act of providing a safe space to engage in genuine conversations.
With moral boost from Hon. Mark McGowan MLA, who attended the Foundation’s Gala event in August 2019, the launch event for the Mobile Laundry Van will be graced by state and federal dignitaries, Dr Anne Aly MP, Federal Member for Cowan, David Michael MLA, Member for Balcatta, Yaz Mubarakai MLA, Member for Jandakot, and Mayor Tracey Roberts JP.
The Fortuna Foundation board comprises of Dinesh Aggarwal, Mili Aggarwal, Tony Addiscott, Kylie Cooke and Melvyn Gilbert.
“The Positive Spin Van was birthed with a vision to better address the needs of our community. We hope that by providing this free service we will alleviate some of the common stresses our homeless friends face every day; that they won’t have to worry about something as simple as clean clothes and hygiene which we often take for granted,” says Dinesh Aggarwal of the project. “The van further defines our mission as an organisation to actually go out into the world to make a positive change, no matter how big or small.”
Mark Zeptner, Managing Director of Ramelius Resources, adds, ‘’Ramelius Resources is proud to be the primary sponsor of this great initiative. For the past 7 years we have been a long-standing supporter of the St Vincent de Paul – Passages Race Day, with the funds raised providing a safe space for street-present young people, to access support and referrals to essential services. So, when the opportunity arose to support this essential service, of a mobile laundry van, it was a no-brainer, and aligns with what we have been contributing to, that is to provide a “pathway” or “a passage” out of homelessness.’’
Determined to ease the lives of those who have found themselves in compromised living situations, Fortuna Foundation has been engaging in a variety of outreach activities as well, such as:
About Fortuna Foundation
Our Vision: To inspire people to come together and help those less fortunate by standing beside them at times of poverty and sickness, and not give up until we have together made a difference.
Our Mission: To help alleviate poverty among children, homeless, sick, aged, and disabled people by undertaking projects in the area of public welfare, creating long term value propositions for people in need. We also aim to provide services or support those in need, through the provision of food, swags, medicines, mobile laundry services and education to children from marginalised families. Additionally, through the provision of grants for research in the area of public welfare and/or for other educational purposes to candidates from marginalised families.
Furthermore, we aim to influence others to help fulfil the needs of the community by creating awareness through events and programs held across community institutions and organisations.
To learn more about the Positive Spin project and Fortuna Foundation, please visit fortunafoundation.org.au or write to us at marketing@fortunaadvisors.com.au
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