Justine Kreigher has lived in Logan her entire life, but it was only when she moved to Bethania that she learned the power of volunteering.
A few months ago, she walked into the Bethania Community Centre looking for a job.
Now she spends much of her free time volunteering at the centre, making hampers for vulnerable locals and spending time with retirees.
“It feels great to be a part of the community,” Ms Kreigher said.
“It’s all run on volunteers and people put so much time and energy in – it feels like you’re a part of something bigger.”
The centre runs a range of fun, social programs as well as support groups for struggling locals.
“At the moment, with the housing crisis, a lot of people are going through it tough,” Ms Kreigher said.
“We’ve had lots of walk-ins with people struggling with life in general.
“People walk in saying they need a bit of help, and there’s no shame in asking.”
She said some of her favourite moments were with the centre’s older demographic.
“If I’m not working, I go down every Tuesday to have a coffee and a chat with the ladies and do some arts and crafts,” she said.
“I’ve taken a shine to a lot of the older women, and if I haven’t gone there in two weeks, I get a call from them checking in on me which feels really nice.”
The centre hosts night markets, breakfast markets and kids craft markets.
There are social groups like gardening club, youth group, patchwork for homeless, and a parents’ sit and chat.
Those chasing exercise can partake in Zumba, taekwondo, spinners and weavers, judo, knitting, ladies dance, and playgroup.
The centre’s donated hampers include both food and clothes, nappies, women’s products, and cleaning products.
“This place has made a huge impact,” Ms Kreigher said.
The Bethania Community Centre is located at 88-118 Station Road.
