Event Overview:

Hope in a Suitcase is a non-profit organisation with a mission to provide suitcases for children going into foster care.

The suitcases contain new essential items such as toiletries, hairbrush, pyjamas, underwear, a set of clothes and a toy or an activity book.

These suitcases are a gift of hope and provide a sense of belonging for foster care children, and the service is provided entirely via donations and volunteer coordination.

Hear from HIASC participants Jaylene Bailey and Rachael Clancy, then join CQU Rockhampton North staff and students for a light morning in the Building 32 Courtyard.

About the Presenters:

Since its beginning in 2018, Hope in a Suitcase has grown to provide suitcases for children going into foster care or out-of-home care, throughout NSW, Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania.

Jaylene Bailey works in the Central Queensland health sector and is passionate about starting the services of this important volunteer association in the Rockhampton and Capricornia Coast regions. She is currently the sole HIASC volunteer for the region.

HIASC founder Rachael Clancy grew up in a home where her parents fostered children, and she often saw foster children arrive with all of their belongings in one single plastic bag. Rachael wanted to do something to change this scenario, and believes that providing hope in a suitcase can make children feel valued. Learn more at hiasc.org.au

The Festival of Change is part of CQUniversity's role driving social change, innovation, equity and inclusion as an Ashoka U Changemaker University, and Australia’s first social enterprise university certified by Social Traders.

For more Festival of Change events on campus and online, browse the full schedule here.