residents doing it for themselves.
Recently, Karen also completed the RSA and Barista courses as a refresher. “They said you’ve got the gift of the gab and what it takes to bring customers in. I’m not the type of person that takes compliments very well, but I’m starting to learn,” she said. Karen splits her time between working at Burnie Community House and the Library Bean Kiosk. “The good thing about all this is I’ve been able to reconnect with the library. I hadn’t read a book for a good 20 years. Now I’ve started reading again,” said Karen. Over in Western Australia, the Advisory Committee of Tenants (ACT) help deliver a service for residents that is shaped by them.
Housing Choices strives not just to provide housing for residents, but to have residents shape and participate in the heart of our service delivery. As an organisation, Housing Choices is proud to have so many residents contribute their voices and, in return, we hope to facilitate pathways for them. After ending a domestic violence relationship, Karen was living at the local women’s shelter and volunteering at Burnie Community House when she was offered a Housing Choices unit right next to the community house. Within a couple months of settling in, Community Development Officer, Nikki, asked Karen if she would like to join the Tasmanian Advisory Committee for Residents (TRAC). Karen was a TRAC member for two years before stepping down due to her active role in the Burnie Community House kitchen. Karen has been an integral part of the Burnie Community House kitchen since 2016, so much so that she was asked to be the face of the new Library Bean Kiosk, a partnership between Housing Choices, Burnie Community House and Libraries Tasmania.
It was amazing to be on the Committee and see what goes on behind the scenes … that’s what I like about Housing Choices, they involve their community and their residents.
Karen, Tasmanian resident
Artwork Left: Lesley Pickett (WA) Pictured Right: Karen (centre) at the Library Bean Kiosk. Pictured Below: Karen with Tasmanian General Manager, Kim Bomford.
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