ACON Offers Crisis Support Services For Northern River Regions Being Flooded
New South Wales is experiencing an unprecedented flooding season with many communities being devastated by the emergency. In response to this crisis, LGBTQIA+ community organisation ACON is extending their services to offer support for struggling LGBTQIA+ members.
LENDING A HELPING HAND
ACON was formed in 1985 as a community response to HIV/AIDS. Since then, the organisation, based in Sydney, has dedicated themselves to offering guidance, resources and support to the wider LGBTQIA+ community.
Seeing the growing crisis in the Northern River regions, ACON is now coordinating their efforts to help manage the situation for people suffering from the floods. The impact the floods are having on NSW touches the lives of many, and vulnerable LGBTQIA+ populations are being offered another avenue to seek aid through ACON.
“We know these events impact everyone in the community and result in psychological distress, physical and mental exhaustion, and financial hardship,” says Karen Price the deputy CEO of ACON. “However, the enormity of the situation requires far more support – so ACON has redeployed resources from our Sydney and Hunter offices to offer free, short-term support and assistance to LGBTQ people at this incredibly difficult time.”
During this dangerous time, ACON and community organisers encourage Northern Regions occupants to be vigilant and to stay as safe as possible. “It’s important to add that given water levels are still dangerously high, the safely of our communities and everyone in Lismore and the Northern Rivers remains our top priority,” says Price.
Price also says, “While our communities are resilient, the scale of the damage and community impacts from this flood event are unprecedented in this region.
“The recovery will take time, and we know our community members will be reaching out to each other through their own networks, providing much-needed emotional and other support. We hope this assistance adds to that sense of community pulling together.”
