Predecessor Rumbalara Youth Refuge Tax ID no. ABN 460 959 992 87 | Formation 1992 Headquarters Gosford | |
Region Central Coast, New South Wales Services Accommodation and support for homeless people | ||
Coast Shelter (registered as Central Coast Emergency Accommodation Services Ltd.) is a non-profit organisation assisting homeless young people and adults in the Central Coast region of New South Wales, Australia. The service was founded in 1992 as Gosford Emergency Accommodation Services. The service's predecessor was the Rumbalara Youth Refuge established by Gosford City Council in 1985. Since the its founding, the organisation has assisted over 16,000 individuals.
Contents
Laurie Maher is the organisation's founder and CEO. Maher has held the position since the organisation's founding in 1992.
History
The beginnings of Coast Shelter started with the Rumbalara Youth Refuge in Gosford, New South Wales. Rumbalara was built by Gosford City Council in 1985 and had a twofold purpose; four beds were for homeless youth and two beds were for students who were able to return home on weekends. Council also ran a service for homeless adults in a separate council property. In December 1991, due to funding restraints council was forced to close these programs, which led to Laurie Maher approaching Jim Grainger of the Catholic Church's Centacare Broken Bay to auspice the service. The move was approved by the New South Wales Department of Family and Community Services. By 1992, within eight months of the change, Laurie, working as a volunteer, helped restructure the organisation, obtain additional funds and establish a new management committee. The service was able to be independently established as Gosford Emergency Accommodation Services. Over the years the service auspices other shelters in the Central Coast and were commissioned to run additional services. Today, the organisation operates nine refuges, a community centre and other accommodation properties.
The organisation underwent a number of significant changes following the "Going Home Staying Home" reform which put the funding of the Rumbalara refuge at risk of closure. The organisation, however, secured other funding and ended up assuming management for other local shelters.
Maya Young Women's Refuge
The Maya Young Women's Refuge in Narara was esatblished in 1987 as Yeena's. In 1995 the service was auspiced by Gosford Emergency Accommodation Service and reopened under its current name by then Minister for Community Services, Ron Dyer.
Wyong Youth Refuge
The Wyong Youth Refuge was formerly known as the Stepping Stones Youth Refuge, when it was operated by Samaritans Foundation, a charity based in Newcastle.
Elandra Women and Children’s Refuge
The Elandra Women and Children’s Refuge, formerly known as the Toukley Women's Refuge, was run by Elandra Women and Children's Services. The refuge fell under the auspices of Coast Shelter following the Going Home Staying Home reforms.