With an ever-present homelessness crisis and just over a month on the job, 3rd Space’s new CEO Matthew Kearney has his work cut out for him in his new role as head of the Fortitude Valley-based charity.
Coming with over 10 years’ experience across a variety of non-profit organisations, Mr Kearney has a wealth of experience in the homeless support sector, previously working with the St Vincent’s organisation and chairing the Haymarket Foundation in Sydney.
3rd Space is a homeless refuge on Brunswick Street that provides daytime rest, warm meals, and a variety of other services to those in need at little to no cost, often relying on community support.
“I’ve just been blown away about the Valley and New Farm community and their commitment to inclusion and building a society which is worth belonging to,” Mr Kearney said.
He believes that going forward, 3rd Space must focus their efforts on securing reliable funding for their kitchen, and on securing reliable housing for those without, all while maintaining their other support systems.
“People don’t come in small chunks they come as whole people, and they need a range of different supports to sustain them but also help them get to where they want to be. the goal is how do we get people into safe, secure housing as a tenant; you know a place that they can call home permanently,” Mr Kearney said.
Under his leadership, 3rd Space will be aiming to improve both their community and government funding through their current local relationships, as well as building new ones.
Mr Kearney also wishes to be able to work closer with housing support organisations as he believes “the solution to homelessness is housing”.
Despite his short time here, he is happy to be working for good in Fortitude Valley.
“I’m just profoundly grateful for the support that we do have from the community and I’m very happy if anyone wants to learn more about 3rd Space I would love to talk to them,” he said.
Mr Kearney remains excited about the future of 3rd Space and no doubt will strive for the betterment of the less fortunate around us.
