The 2017 Ramelius Resources Passages Race Day raised more than $87 000 for the Passages Resource Centres, which help young people to get off the streets and adopt safer, healthier lifestyles.
The Ramelius Resources Passages Race Day
Ramelius Resources Managing Director Mark Zeptner presenting after the Ramelius race
Ramelius Resources were proud to be the major sponsor of the event for the third year, in support of marginalised and homeless youth.
“We recognise the marvelous work Passages Resource Centres' are doing to support street present and disadvantaged youth. We know that Passages receives no government funding and relies on the generosity of the West Australian community and we sincerely hope our contribution makes a difference," said Ramelius Resources Managing Director Mark Zeptner.
More than 200 attendees enjoyed an afternoon of horse racing, while enjoying a three-course meal, fashions on the field and raising funds through auctions, raffles, and various other activities.
“The 2017 Passages Race Day was a fantastic day this year. It was great to see the excitement of the guests in the room as everyone worked together to break the cycle of homelessness and make a difference to the lives of the young people who turn to Passages Resource Centre each day," said Gayle Mitchell, St Vincent de Paul Society; State Manager for Homeless Services.
"On any given night in WA over 9,500 people are without homes. Of these people, 25% are under the age of 18. This is why events like this are so vital.”
The day was themed around ‘Commit to Change’ and involved a number of new approaches to engage donors. The Commit to Change video ‘What you do, matters’ directly asked the audience to make a difference. It demonstrated the hardships that many young people go through when they are homeless, and reinforced the importance of the services that Passages offers to help young people make informed decisions to break the cycle of homelessness in a safe, friendly and positive environment.
Passages Resource Centres are a joint venture between the St Vincent de Paul Society in Western Australia and the Rotary Club of Perth. Located in Northbridge and Mandurah, the Passages Resource Centres provide a safe place for young people aged 12 to 25 experiencing, or at risk of homelessness. These centres allow individuals to visit and address their basic needs, build positive connections with staff and specialist services, and get the help they need to improve their future.
For more information on supporting this great cause, please contact the Passages Resource Centre through their website. If you would like to register your interest in next year’s event please contact events@svdpwa.org.au
This year, the Passages Northbridge service will be relocating to Highgate, due to the increasing demand and the complex needs of today’s young people. With a new, larger space, Passages will be able to offer a wider range of opportunities for young people to engage in, including art and cooking workshops, music sessions and the ability to host external agencies, offering the potential to help young people transition off the streets and find pathways out of homelessness. The money raised from the event will help re-locate the Passages service in Northbridge to a new facility in Highgate.