Alleviating hardship and trauma for South Australian kids

ABOUT US

EMPOWERING. SUPPORTING. LOVING.

WHO WE ARE

WE FOCUS ON PROVIDING KIDS AND THEIR FAMILIES WITH THE BASIC NEEDS TO HELP THEM GET BACK ON TRACK

Treasure Boxes is an Adelaide-based Not for Profit (NFP) organisation that commenced operations in May 2015, borne from personal experiences working with Families SA children who were removed and displaced from their families and placed into Emergency Care facilities, with many carrying complex trauma histories. Too often, and due to the nature of their removals, these children would arrive with little, if any clothing and no toys to provide comfort and distraction. As these children would generally be with Families SA for an extended period of time, it was also very difficult to entertain them when minimal, if any, resources could be provided by other support organisations. It was also a huge struggle to cloth them suitably, with limited items available to us from the start and no provision for extra clothing in the near future. From there, we have become actively involved in assisting families fleeing from Domestic Violence situations, where many have left so urgently without any chance to gather up some of their own personal belongings.

WHAT WE DO

Treasure Boxes accepts donations of good quality clothing and toys before doing safety checks & quality controls, then redistributing them to children who are placed in emergency care facilities, or those children who may be living and experiencing extreme disadvantage.

We offer care packages to:

  • Children in emergency care facilities
  • Children in foster care
  • Domestic Violence survivors who have been displaced
  • Families in accidental crisis situations such as bushfires or family emergencies
  • Children with minimal belongings who have been suddenly been rehoused with other relatives (e.g. grandparents) due to their parents’ inability to care for them
  • Children and families living with disadvantage

As an NFP, we rely 100% on our volunteers to perform the daily operations of our organisation. They assist in sorting, cleaning and packing donations, as well as all the admin-based support behind the scenes.

To find out how you can help and become a Treasure Boxes volunteer, please click here.

WHAT WE PROVIDE

A BOX OF LOVE FOR THOSE IN NEED

Treasure Boxes provides assistance packages of clothing and toys to children who have been referred to us by external care organisations in South Australia. The boxes consist of approx. 50 – 70 pieces of clothing across all seasons, shoes & age-appropriate toys and books for each child referred.

For more information about what we accept, please click here.

OUR VISION AND MISSION

OUR VISION

To reduce the impact of Domestic Violence, homelessness, grief and trauma on children experiencing disadvantage.

OUR MISSION

Treasure Boxes aims to ease the anxiety, stress and trauma placed on young children and their families affected by hardship. Joining with support agencies throughout Adelaide to meet the material needs of families with babies and young children, we collect, sort and redistribute essential nursery equipment, clothing, books & toys for babies and school children up to the age of 16 years old.

Our Guiding Principles:

  • We will work with and support existing social services and maternal health workers
  • We will not duplicate the work of these existing social services but endeavour to add value to these services
  • We will not profit from the delivery of this service
  • We will ensure that the criteria for recipient eligibility is determined by social service agencies and not by Treasure Boxes
  • We will adhere to the appropriate Australian safety standards, ensuring that all goods donated are in a good and working condition
  • We will work with partners and supporters who share our values and goals

INTERVIEWS & STORIES

OUR TEAM

rikki cooke

Rikki Cooke

Founder & Chair
Committee Member

georgie warren

Georgie Warren

Events and Fundraising
Committee Member

clarisse semler-hanlon

Clarisse Semler-Hanlon

Sponsorship & Marketing

peta brettig

Peta Brettig

Committee Secretary
Committee Member

alana clarke

Alana Clarke

Events and Fundraising
Committee Member

steve batten

Steve Batten

Social Media

kelly jamieson

Kelly Jamieson

Marketing Manager
Secretary Committee Member

mandi borlace

Mandi Borlace

Events Manager

stuart rees

Stuart Rees

Website Design & Maintenance

HOW WE HELP PEOPLE

“What an amazing charity! I love the fact that I can make a donation and 100% is given to those in need. You are a true inspiration – we need more people like you in the world who are selfless and truly want to make a difference in this world.“
Belinda Chapman
Belinda ChapmanAdelaide
“Treasure boxes is the work of one very inspirational & passionate lady. The work she is doing is helping so many children & families. Yesterday with the help of Treasure Boxes, I was able to support 3 children who have recently lost their mother. This bought a little bit of joy into their lives but also gave the grandparents some relief of not having to fill their wardrobes with clothes & toys when funds are tight, and having to help the children rebuild their upturned lives and also plan a funeral. Thank you so much from the family but also from me.”
Tammy Piscopo
Tammy PiscopoAdelaide
“I don’t support large established corporatized charities any more, especially when I can see the real work ordinary Australians do for so many “on the smell of an oily rag”. Treasure Boxes has helped several of my tenants with essential supplies for absolutely nothing in return. I can’t thank them enough!”
Matty Ivanovic
Matty IvanovicAdelaide

SPONSORS

vip
street smart
strategy lions
servers australia

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WE CHANGE THE LIVES OF THOSE
WHO HAVE NO HOPE

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