17c起草社区

THIS year鈥檚 Aurora Ball promises a night of glamour, fun and entertainment while raising money for LGBTI community groups.

The main beneficiary of funds raised from the night is , which provides housing, counselling and support for LGBTI people in need.

Nicky Baker-Bryson of The Aurora Group said Twenty10 is an important charity to her personally.

At the time of its inception, Twenty10鈥檚 focus was housing LGBTI youth who were experiencing homelessness due to family rejection.

鈥淭he mainstream services weren鈥檛 really able to address their needs鈥攁nd were full anyway,鈥� Baker-Bryson said.

鈥淭wenty10 started with a housing refuge that was a big terrace house, and then expanded to include a block of flats in Annandale.

鈥淎nd I was actually one of the first homeless youth to be housed in that block of flats. I had been kicked out of home when I was a teenager, found myself on the streets.鈥�

She saw an ad in the 17c起草社区 promoting the availability of housing for homeless LGBTI youth.

鈥淚t鈥檚 over twenty years ago now, and I still have a bit of a cry when I think about what a lifeline that was,鈥� Baker-Bryson said.

鈥淚 was finishing school and a very good student, and I didn鈥檛 want to see my school attendance go by the wayside. They set me up in an apartment, which I then had for my first year of university as well, and helped me with financial counselling.鈥�

Years later, Baker-Bryson joined The Aurora Group to give back to the organisation that helped her in her youth, which now helps thousands of people every year.

鈥淎s the organisation has expanded, so has their need for funds,鈥� she said.

The proceeds from Saturday night鈥檚 sold-out Aurora Ball will go to benefit Twenty10 and other groups that work with LGBTI people.

If you鈥檙e lucky enough to have tickets to the ball, please give generously to support Twenty10 and other charities.

If you aren鈥檛 attending the ball, you can still and support the cause by bidding online.