belong (Acacia Ridge & Districts Community Centre) - Acacia Ridge, Queensland

Cathy M.

This is an amazing community centre. If you live within catchment you can get $50 supermarket vouchers (I think twice a year and pending availability) and $15 vouchers to their onsite food co-op if you're struggling. You can also join the food co-op for a small fee ($5 a year) and shop their greatly discounted items. Their co-op is open Tues, Wed and Thurs mornings (closing at 12 midday). If it is a public holiday the day before, the food co-op may not be open that day (due to a delivery not happening as usual). Their Facebook keeps the community well up to date with any changes to the co-op opening hours as well as everything else the centre is doing, so best to check if in doubt before heading out.

They do have a focus on providing much - needed assistance to refugees and migrants which is great as it means there are many interesting people there. They also have things available for the community generally so you can get to MEET some of these amazing people. Most things are free and I can tell you that is not the norm with most community centres. It's in line with their 'no barrier' to anything approach.

A special shout out to Sharon, an incredible and wonderful social worker. She has helped me so much including writing letters of support to access services/ grants. Her writing is so good I'm sure she will become a writer when she one day retires, but not anytime soon please.

2Dogs S.

They saved me at a time of deep crisis, when my rego was due, as it had increased by a massive 48.9% since last year.
Thanks Qld Government for keeping to the 3.6% CPI.... NOT!
My liaison officer "Mata" from my disability employment service got me the appointment with these absolutely wonderful people.
I cannot thank you enough for what you have done from and my peace of mind.

Nicky J.

After stumbling over this place in search of a helping hand, from the initial visit all the staff, volunteers and other customers were very understanding, welcoming and discreet.
Regularly stopping in to purchase food items, I found during every visit, a large variety of fresh fruit and veggies, bread‘s, canned foods and best of all frozen meats and deserts.
The pantry is very clean and easy to navigate with a small membership fee per year of four dollars, which is well within my budget as each shop I do there I receive very good value for money and something that I pay nearly triple the amount on at a large supermarket, I am able to purchase here for third of price. Not only do they have the pantry but they also have social workers to help for emergency relief assistance finding the right programs to see suit and individual and their circumstances. I highly recommend this place for anyone that is doing it a little bit tough during these times And just needs a leg up to get through. Thank you to all who work and all volunteer there. Nicky

Galactus D.

Fastest
Time for connection. Ordered wifi on Friday activated by Monday . Quick. Covers the whole
House of internet. Been with iprimus forever and got sick of them
Not helping us with the whole house being able to access wifi. Thank you so much belong . Well done on efficiency. And customer service

Nina M.

I was a student living just nearby and always went to make photocopies, staff were very efficient and caring, Always helpful full of smiles. My institution asked me to write about a community organization. I wrote about this community Centre.

Kathryn B.

We were referred to this organisation being homeless for 6wks. Lady named Jenny took did the intake. I explained I’m aborignal & myself & both of my daughters are struggling to find a house as I’m on a low income due to being a single mum. She told my daughter to move into to a uni lodge. I explained it’s the 1st generation with their biological mum so we are trying to keep our family together she’ll move when she’s ready. Next question, if ur aboriginal, wat does that make ur daughter. I explained she’s being offending me since i arrived & asked her to stop as all her comments were irrelevant to us getting any assistance. She said she can’t help me cos of our conversation. I had to leave there without getting assistance. I paid $550 per in rent prior to getting homeless & it only due to trying to find a cheaper accomodation we moved to save money. I didn’t get evicted but yes there was a racist lady like Jenny at that property. It’s why 200 yrs later, even refugees are doing better than aboriginal ppl. She tried to intimidate us so I got angry at her & made her look like a victim, when that didn’t work, she deprived us from getting help. She might be a nice person to others but not for an aboriginal single mum. She discriminated towards me without hesitation & I know for a fact non of her co-workers will take any action towards this but they will only encourage her behaviour. Hope staff can at least advise government to provide more funding for aboriginal organsations so we don’t get kicked whilst we are down by Jenny & those like her.

saloam F.

The Food Co-op is run by such lovely and helpful people... with food items MOSTLY available at an incredibly discounted price, i cant begin to express my gratitude for the ongoing support and assistance they have provided for my son and myself since we arrived in QLD

Hiram L. R.

Due to my age I have never found myself to ask for support to live....However, my experience with organization and the personnel showed complete compassion and understanding of my situation and offered outstanding support with aid offered...Thank you so very much...Hiram Ryan