Training opportunities for young jobseekers have been boosted with Goodna Street Life receiving a Community Social Enterprise Development Grant.

One of 34 groups across the state to receive support as part of the Palaszczuk Government’s $8 million Social Enterprise Jobs Fund, Goodna Street Life has used the grant to improve its hospitality training facilities at Helen’s Haven in the old Weeroona Hotel.

Member for Bundamba Lance McCallum said the local funding had further strengthened a new partnership between Goodna Street Life and the Australian Industry Trade College.

“Goodna Street Life has been an important part of our local community and wider South-East Queensland since 2015, supporting homelessness and providing a range of counselling and recovery programs for those in need,” Mr McCallum said.

“Helen’s Haven offers crisis accommodation and a foodbank, and the kitchen and sober bar provide affordable meals and drinks.

“This important funding has facilitated the purchase of new commercial kitchen equipment, expanding opportunities for industry and community collaborations and delivering significant social support across our local community.

“It means Year 10 students and school leavers can now gain new skills and experience in the kitchen, foodbank and community garden as pre-vocational training.”

Goodna Street Life President Helen Youngberry said the grant was a welcome boost following a recent fire at the group’s Queen Street op shop.

“The timing is perfect – we’re still working hard to overcome the loss of the previous op shop, and community support of the new premises at Goodna Marketplace has been great, but we need people to spread the word,” Ms Youngberry said.

“With the new kitchen we can now get to work with the trade college and continue our plans to start offering more meals like weekend breakfasts.”