HELP Enterprises launched a factory warehouse at Magnesium Drive, Crestmead, yesterday with the promise it would create about 100 jobs for people with disabilities and training and work experience for many more.
Help chief executive Kerry Browne said the set up was helped by a “staggering” $1 million donation from Hand, Heart, Pocket, the charity arm of the Freemasons Queensland.
Mr Browne said the hub had received a further $182,000 as the first recipient of the City of Logan Investment Attraction Incentive Fund that had helped with start up costs.
“There are about 22 special schools in Logan and southern Brisbane. Between them they educate about 3000 young people who will be the beneficiaries of this centre,” he said.
Help Enterprises, with its head office based in Eagle Farm, Brisbane is a not-for-profit social enterprise that teaches workplace and life skills and finds jobs and accomodation for people with disabilties and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
It offers services from locations that include include Browns Plains, Logan Central and Beenleigh. An office at Jimboomba closed recently, re-opening at the new growth suburb Yarrabilba.
Yesterday’s launch showed off the new factory premises where employees will work in assembly and pick and pack and learn skills that include forklift driving.
Logan City Council Planning and Economic Development chair Councillor Russell Lutton said securing Help Enterprises was a big win for the community.
“They are the first recipients of the City of Logan Investment Attraction Incentive Fund, which is aimed in supporting greater job growth in Logan,” Cr Lutton said.
“The criteria for the fund is that the proposed business will stimulate significant economic and community benefits. Help Enterprises ticked all those boxes.”
Help Enterprises last year assisted 5000 job seekers into jobs – 40 per cent were people with disability and 15 per cent were young Australians.
“Helping the young and those with disability to find work crystallises our social fabric and cohesion, ensuring no one is left behind,” Cr Lutton said.
The launch comes the same week Logan opened its draft Access and Inclusion plan for public comment.
In July, the council spoke to about 100 community members and 1200 organisations about disability services, access and facilities.
Consultation sessions will be held at Jimboomba Community Centre on November 12 at 10.30am and Yarrabilba Family and Community Place on November 15 at 6pm.
The period for public comment closes on November 25.
