A single mum who founded Night Ninja’s Australia, an organisation to help homeless people in the Redlands, attributes their growth to “people power”.
Mother to Zavian and Andy, aged eight and three, Alix Russo was homeless after separating from her partner.
A stay-at-home mum at the time Ms Russo was able to live with a friend until she found a landlord who agreed to rent to her and her two boys.
“At first when I applied for houses people didn’t want to touch me because I was on Centrelink,” she said.
Thinking there must be other people in a similar situation, Ms Russo did some research.
“I was shocked to find more than 360 people were registered as homeless in the Redlands last year.
“Most were couch surfing and first on the emergency list for available housing anywhere in Brisbane,” she said.
Ms Russo was inundated with offers to help when she put out a message on a Redlands Facebook group asking if people knew of anyone who is homeless.
“Within three hours I made my own Facebook page because I had so many people who wanted to help.”
The support has continued to grow over the last six months with Ms Russo forming Night Ninja’s Australia, a not-for-profit organisation.
Volunteers put together survival packs and hand out items such as blankets, shoes, clothes and underwear to the homeless or others in need.
On Monday evenings crews provide tea, coffee, muffins, soup and noodles from a site in Cleveland.
They also recently held a Christmas party for 36 homeless people who showered, put on clean clothes and had their hair cut before being served a three course meal.
Ms Russo said they have found families living in cars in places such as parking areas where they are less noticeable.
“They are embarrassed because they don’t want to be in that position,” she said.
The organisation works with services and community organisations, but Ms Russo hopes to establish a drop-in centre and have crisis accommodation for people in need.
In the meantime, the Night Ninja’s just do what they can.
“We are trying our best to help and make people feel they are not alone out there.”
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