One of the Northern Beaches’ chief local charities, Community Northern Beaches, has this week announced its rebrand as LocalKind Northern Beaches.
The long-considered shift aims to present its service as a sort of ‘repository of kindness’ for all locals: to give it and, when needed, receive it.
It began with exasperation over people commonly mistaking its logo for a library or the former Manly Council, and spread, with volunteered help of local experts, into a movement to refresh and regroup in readiness for the onslaught of community distress caused by the cost-of-living crisis.
So, what does LocalKind do?
In a nutshell, it provides critical intervention and support services to the most vulnerable in the Northern Beaches Community – something it has been doing since it was created in 1977.
It is a first stop for those who are hungry, homeless, feeling vulnerable or overwhelmed and don’t know where to start. Perhaps someone needing shelter as they leave an unsafe home, or a family that just needs a few basic food items to get them through a few days. A catch-all for those needing help, and also a space for those willing and able to offer it. This expands into several other areas, such as youth resilience, and multicultural services, helping to integrate refugee communities through anything from visa assistance to learning to drive.
“The name LocalKind Northern Beaches was chosen because kindness is a common link throughout all the services the organisation provides in the local area, including the drop-in centre in Manly and programs such as Homeless Outreach Service, Domestic & Family Violence Support Service, and Family, Child & Youth Service,” explained CEO Craig Stevens.
“We’ve also chosen the name to act like a beacon for the many people on the Northern Beaches who are keen to be involved in local solutions – to people who want to show kindness to their more vulnerable neighbours but don’t know where to start – we are that hub.”
“We’ve also chosen the name to act like a beacon for the many people on the Northern Beaches who are keen to be involved in local solutions – to people who want to show kindness to their more vulnerable neighbours but don’t know where to start – we are that hub.”
Craig said the most direct and effective way of showing kindness is helping to fund the service via its donations link. But it could be as simple as following their social media and responding to their call outs for certain food items. Volunteers are always needed to run the triage reception desk at the drop-in centre, manage the supplies store, teach English, provide driving lessons to migrants and refugees, mentor young people, and distribute food.
The organisation’s funding comes in part from federal, state, and local government and grants. Much of this funding is itself vulnerable. As such, it relies heavily on the kindness of the local community – individuals, groups, and businesses who fundraise, donate, and volunteer.
James Griffin, MP for Manly, and Sue Heins, Mayor of the Northern Beaches Council, are patrons of LocalKind. Manly Observer editor Kim Smee and Cunningham’s John Cunningham are its ambassadors.
“Despite living in an ocean-side paradise, more of our locals than ever are struggling with domestic violence, homelessness, mental health challenges, social isolation, and drugs and alcohol,” Craig said.
“We must extend our reach, our resources, and our capabilities to meet that need so that no one is left behind, but we rely heavily on community funding and participation to operate, and we can’t keep up without more support.
“We want and need to engage with the wider community and encourage more of them to connect with us, and each other, to help achieve our goals. This powerful new name and look will help us do that.”
“The new name and new look is us asking for help and the beginning of what can become a movement of kindness across the Northern Beaches for the good of the whole community.”
He paid particular thanks to the local businesses that volunteered their services to professionalise the rebrand – Angie French from Brand Strategy, John Cunningham, Caro Latorraca with graphic design, Sue Rice with communications and a brilliant new website by Online Projects.
“It’s important locals know this was achieved with no major expense to the charity. We are experiencing unprecedented demand and so every dollar needs to be well spent now more than ever. In order to help people we need more locals – people like your readers – to join us in any way they can to meet demand.”
“It’s important locals know this was achieved with no major expense to the charity. We are experiencing unprecedented demand and so every dollar needs to be well spent now more than ever. In order to help people we need more locals – people like your readers – to join us in any way they can to meet demand.”
If you are dealing with domestic violence or homelessness or are struggling and feeling vulnerable or alone, LocalKind’s drop-in centre is open from 10 am to 2 pm, Monday to Friday, at 52 Raglan St, Manly. More details on the other services and crisis support available can be found on the website: https://www.localkind.org.au
