Branches unite to address youth homelessness

Every night there are more than 26,000 youth aged 12-25 homeless in Australia either sleeping rough on the street, or couch surfing – the most common form of Australian youth homelessness.
To address this issue at a local level, 60 Bendigo Bank branches have partnered with Cotton On Group’s The Unite Project selling bottled water to raise funds that will help break the cycle of homelessness in Australia’s second largest city.
A $2 bottle of The Unite Project Nu Pure spring water supports charities addressing the four issues identified as major contributors to youth homelessness; domestic violence, mental health, drug and alcohol addiction, and poverty.
The Unite Project is a collaboration piece born from the Cotton On Group and supported by a number of forward thinking, socially active Australian companies who are united and committed in the fight against youth homelessness in Australia.
Bendigo Bank is the latest company to join this fight with a mission to end youth homelessness in Australia Bendigo Bank Executive, Local Connection Alex Tullio said this latest partnership is another example of the Bank’s commitment to directly address issues in the community.
“The statistics clearly show that this is an issue needing meaningful action. To date, The Unite Project has raised almost $400,000 and assisted 850 young people. But as a Bank, we know we can do more,” she said.
“Selling The Unite Project Nu Pure water in 60 branches throughout Melbourne allows us to have a direct impact on youth experiencing homelessness at this time.
“We invite the public to purchase a bottle of water in branch and be part of the solution at a local level,” Tullio said. Sam McGuane, Manager Cotton On Group – Community, echoes Tullio’s comments.”