On Friday, August 1st, Coast2Bay Housing Group hosted the Rise to the Challenge Lunch at the Alex Surf Club. The event successfully brought together community leaders and supporters to raise awareness and funding for The RISE2 Foundation, which provides safe accommodation for women and children impacted by domestic and family violence.

Thanks to your generous support, the event raised an impressive $23,000, bringing us closer to furnishing another RISE2 home. This is a testament to our collective commitment and the impact we can make when we come together. 

Event Program and Speakers

The lunch featured a two-course meal and presentations from three distinguished speakers, each bringing unique perspectives on resilience and community engagement:

Genevieve Gregson, a four-time Olympian and Australian record-holder in the 3000m steeplechase, shared her inspiring journey of resilience in elite sport, injury recovery, and balancing motherhood with her athletic career.

Torita Blake, Paralympic athlete and proud Dunghutti woman, shared insights on overcoming personal trauma and using athletic achievement as a platform for advocacy in healing and education initiatives.

Jason Crowther, co-founder of Atlas Events, explored the intersection of sporting events and community support, highlighting how athletic festivals can effectively raise awareness for social causes like RISE2.

Community Partnership and Support

Our success is a result of the collaborative efforts of multiple organisations and individuals, each playing a crucial role in our mission.

EVA Air Sunshine Coast Marathon Festival served as the primary event partner, integrating RISE2 advocacy into their broader community programming.

The Salvation Army continues as the key service delivery partner, providing operational expertise and direct support to RISE2 program participants.

Zonta Club of Caloundra and Zonta Club of Noosa contributed ongoing organisational and financial support, demonstrating sustained community investment.

The event committee provided coordination and management support, ensuring the successful execution of program logistics.

We are deeply grateful to the multiple local businesses and community members who contributed prizes for raffles and silent auction components. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to the Alex Surf Club for providing venue hosting and hospitality services. Your generosity and support are invaluable to us.

Our Impact

Our program currently operates 10 homes across the Sunshine Coast region and has assisted 49 families in their transition to safety and stability. This is a direct result of your support and involvement in our events.

Coast2Bay’s expansion plans will increase this capacity substantially, with five additional RISE2 homes scheduled for completion this year and 13 more planned for next year. This growth will extend the program’s reach from Noosa to Moreton Bay, addressing housing shortages in multiple communities.

While government funding covers the basic housing infrastructure, each home requires $25,000 in furnishing costs. These essential items, from beds and kitchen appliances to children’s furniture and household essentials, are funded entirely through community donations and fundraising events.