A LOCAL community leader is eager to utilise her unique skillset in her newly elected role of President of the BABI Youth & Family Service board.
With a background in public policy and communications, Sarah Mawhinney has been engaged with bayside organisations including Rosie’s and Meals on Wheels for years, joining the BABI board in 2020 as Secretary before being elected unopposed as President at the organisation’s recent AGM.
“We have a great board, and I was really excited when I was able to take on the Chair position,” Ms Mawhinney said.
“We all find ways we can engage with the organisations around us, and there are many, that seek to support those who are vulnerable in the community or those who need support in the community.
“I was aware of the role BABI played in the community, but I don’t think I fully understood the impact they have until I joined the board and saw firsthand the work that they do.
“BABI plays a fantastic role in the community, so it’s not hard to want to be part of it and want to support it as much as we can on the board.”
Celebrating 40 years last year, BABI has served as the leading youth and family service provider in the Wynnum and Redlands regions, responding to the needs of young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness since 1983.
“Over the last 40 years, they’ve been instrumental in providing services to vulnerable young people, from the Get Set for Work program to youth counselling and housing,” Ms Mawhinney said.
“Our role as a board is to support the operational work that is done and, where we can, add value so BABI can continue to deliver those services.
“There’s a real appetite to seek to grow in the coming years and build on that really fantastic legacy into the future.”
BABI CEO Shaun Staunton said the AGM was an opportunity for the team to hear young people share their stories about participating in drop-in activities and accessing BABI’s youth counsellor for mental health support, and from parents sharing their experiences accessing parenting groups.
“I was really grateful to have members of our Youth Voice Committee showing their leadership skills by speaking at various points during the AGM,” he said.
“The voices of community and the people we are here to serve are the thread that runs through all of our work, from the moment someone walks into our reception seeking support all the way to the deliberations and strategic discussions of the Board.
“I am pleased to be working with a Board of volunteers with such diverse skills and experience, and who are so passionate about the needs of community and also value the voices of the young people and the parents we work with.
“With Sarah as the new President and the other Board Members, I am confident that BABI Youth and Family Service is going to continue to be a key part of the Bayside community into the future.”
