DURING January, the Derwent Valley Youth Future Action Team (D’FAT) donated a 10-person tent and five waterproof blankets to The Salvation Army’s Derwent Valley Corps to assist people experiencing homelessness.
D’FAT chair Nic Kaiser said D’FAT was pleased to support the Derwent Valley Salvation Army Corps through the donation of these items, which will help people in crisis. “These items were purchased from funds raised from D’FAT activities and projects,” Mr Kaiser said.
“D’FAT has previously donated six swags and six sleeping bags to The Salvation Army Tasmania Street2Home program during 2020, and actively participated in the Salvos Sleep Out in 2020 and 2021 and the 2021 Salvos Couch Wars,” he said.
“Street2Home locates the ever-increasing number of people in an accommodation crisis, assesses their needs, and links them with support services. Both Salvos Sleep Out and Salvos Couch Wars are major fundraisers that help raise funds for the Street2Home program.”
D’FAT is also looking forward to participating in the 2023 Red Shield Appeal, which will mark the 20th year that D’FAT has supported that fundraiser. D’FAT facilitator Matt Hill said there had been a partnership agreement between D’FAT and the Derwent Valley Salvation Army Corps since 2018.
“This agreement, revised in 2022, has provided opportunities for D’FAT and the Derwent Valley Corps to work together to benefit the Derwent Valley community, families, children and young people,” Mr Hill said. “This agreement continues to provide D’FAT with a long-term location for their meetings, indoor New Norfolk activities and secure storage of equipment,” he said.
For more information on D’FAT’s activities and projects, visit the Facebook group, Instagram, or the official Derwent Valley Youth Future Action Team website.