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Tennis Champion Jelena Dokic becomes The Property Industry Foundation’s New Ambassador

Menchie Khairuddin February 9, 2023

2 min read

Tennis champion Jelena Dokic announces her role as an ambassador with a non-profit organisation for youth homelessness, remarking on the growing need for support.

The Property Industry Foundation brings together the property and construction industry in a unique collaboration to have a tangible impact on youth homelessness. Powered by the industry, the Foundation builds homes for homeless youth and provides ongoing support for homes where young people can rebuild their lives.

Young people aged 12-24 contribute 42 per cent to Australia’s homelessness crisis, with the main drivers of homelessness noted by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare being domestic and family violence or insecure housing.

Speaking on her new ambassadorship, Dokic said she is proud to serve as an Ambassador of the Property Industry Foundation with its cause being one extremely close to her heart following her own experience with domestic and family violence.

“Domestic abuse is the leading cause of youth homelessness with children either fleeing for their lives or being kicked out by the people who are meant to love them unconditionally,” Dokic said.

“Suffering from abuse at the hands of my father, I too experienced homelessness as a child. There were times when I was told I was an embarrassment and not good enough to come home and forced to find shelter elsewhere.”

“The Property Industry Foundation’s work, passion and dedication is making a difference to the lives of children and young people who have experienced neglect, physical, sexual and emotional abuse.”

“I’m not the first – and I won’t be the last – to experience this type of violence, but I hope to use my platform to strengthen the Foundation’s work in creating safe places for children to not only heal but live out their dreams.”

Aiming to increase the availability of accommodation for youth homelessness, the Property Industry Foundation has built more than 200 bedrooms that have given shelter to hundreds of young people, some for one night, and others for one year depending on their age, ability and need.

Property Industry Foundation Queensland Chair Salvatore Guardala said the Foundation is thrilled to have Dokic’s advocacy and looks forward to achieving great things together during 2023.

“The Foundation relies heavily on the property and construction industry, as well as ambassadors like Jelena, who drive awareness and help to educate those unaware of the scary statistics,” Guardala said.

“In Queensland, there are 4,500 young people who don’t have safe housing, so it’s initiatives like these that have incalculable, positive impacts on our most vulnerable – giving them somewhere to learn, grow and play.”

Aiming to increase the availability of accommodation for youth homelessness, the Foundation has distributed nearly $30 million to youth homelessness causes over 25 years.

Menchie Khairuddin

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Menchie Khairuddin is a writer Deputy Content Manager at Akolade and content producer for Third Sector News. She is passionate about social affairs specifically in mixed, multicultural heritage and not-for-profit organisations.