Homeless not alone at ‘Tony’s Place’

The Bridge Back to Life Foundation helps young homeless men get off the roundabout and back into the community with accommodation and living skills at 'Tony's Place'

There are approximately 10,000 people in Canberra who don't have a place to live. These people need support to become visible, contributing members of the community again. The Bridge Back to Life Foundation is committed to empowering and supporting homeless male youth by providing, amongst other things, accommodation, vocational and living skills in a one stop outreach service.

‘Tony’s Place’ was officially opened on the 18th of September 2008 with three residents and has since had two more move in. It will help six young men between the age of 16 to 25 to get back on their feet again, where they are treated like residents not clients.

The Foundation came about after the tragic death of Rhonda Obad’s son, Tony. After a savage bashing at the Jolimont Centre in 1994, he spiraled into heroin use due to the stress of his many injuries. Despite a mother’s desperate attempts, Tony died of a heroin overdose. “The pain is still very deep,” says Ms Obad of her son’s death. “I had to do something or just end it all.” In channeling her pain into this Foundation, Ms Obad has found a way to help others in the community.

The help is not a handout however. The men will be vetted for residency in the house, will be expected to participate in living skills and counseling programs, and to contribute financially to the running of the house. “We don’t just want to give them a handout,” said Ms Obad. “We want them to feel and learn some responsibility.”

The mother of one of the first residents of the house is grateful and relieved for the support the Foundation will give to her son. She has tried to help her son for six years since he moved out. Now in his early 20s, she hopes the work the Foundation will do with her son will enable him to change his lifestyle and get a regular job.

The Foundation and its need to fill a house to make it a home came to the attention of local organization People Knowhow Canberra (PKC), a personal development centre who delivers life changing courses such as The Turning Point. Students participating in the 2008 Mastery and Service course took on Rhonda Obad and her work by helping to promote the Foundation and ‘Tony’s Place’.

The house was kitted out in 36 hours from generous donations from Canberran’s plus support from some local businesses such as Harvey Norman, Regency Knights Window Fashions, Marnia on Flemington, Rodneys, InRugs, Impress Printers, Papas Painting and Radio Rentals. Further support came from Aristocut hairdressers, Ozharvest, Mitchell Takeaway, and the Canberra Institute of Technology.

The house runs with kind donations from caring citizens. Donations are tax deductible.

For more information on The Bridge Back to Life Foundation or how to make a donation, visit the website at bridgebacktolife.com.au or call Rhonda Obad, founder, on 62580021 or 0432 955 073.