The Mayoral Ball – SunnyKids’ annual signature fundraising event – is set to shine the spotlight on two of the charity’s most vital initiatives: the Transitional Housing Project and the Save A Life Tonight (SALT) program.
Both programs are central to SunnyKids’ mission of breaking the cycle of domestic and family violence by providing safety, stability and support for families in crisis.
SALT is a community-funded, early intervention initiative that provides immediate safety to individuals and families at risk of domestic violence – often before any incident occurs.
Through the program, SunnyKids offers one night of emergency accommodation in a secure location, along with essentials such as food, clothing, safety planning and counselling referrals.
Since SALT began in 2022, about 500 nights’ emergency accommodation have been provided to families in need. This critical ‘circuit breaker’ gives families the chance to escape danger and begin rebuilding their lives.
“SALT literally saves lives,” SunnyKids CEO Kathleen Hope said.
“It gives families a safe alternative when tensions escalate – often before violence occurs.
“By offering a single night of safety, we can prevent trauma and connect families to the long-term help they need.”
SunnyKids has seen a 30 per cent increase in people seeking support over the past year, reflecting the growing demand for domestic violence services across Queensland, where 500 incidents are reported every day.
To address this need, SunnyKids established its Transitional Housing Project at the end of 2024. The land was formally handed over to the charity in January this year, and construction is currently progressing on site.
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The project includes six purpose-built townhouses on the Sunshine Coast designed to give families a safe and stable home while they access wraparound support such as counselling, education and financial assistance. It will provide longer-term accommodation for families leaving crisis situations.
“We know that safety alone isn’t enough,” Ms Hope said.
“Families need time, stability and connection to rebuild. Our Transitional Housing Project provides that bridge between crisis and independence.”
Funds raised from the SunnyKids Mayoral Ball 2025 on October 25 will directly support these initiatives, helping more local families find safety and hope.
Now in its ninth year, the ball is supported by Sunshine Coast mayor Rosanna Natoli. It will bring together business and community leaders for a night of purpose, entertainment and generosity at the new Machjet hangar at Sunshine Coast Airport.
If you need assistance, call DV Connect on 1800 811 811. If you are in immediate danger, phone triple-0. For a full list of emergency contacts visit sunnykids.org.au.
