Why we do what we do - Homelessness impacts us all
Did you know there is an estimated 21,000 homeless people in Queensland? That is 1 in every 200 and 9,700 homeless on any given night. And unfortunately these numbers are growing.
Being homeless affects many different groups including domestic violence, debt, substance abuse, mental illness and housing affordability. There is no single definition of homelessness. Statistically it is categorised "where a person does not have suitable accommodation alternatives". Homelessness spans many groups including rough sleeping, people living in crisis or temporary accommodation or households, in tents or living in severely crowded or substandard dwellings.
Source: Census of Population and Housing 2021 Homelessness report, Australian Bureau of Statistics and Salvation Army.
Our Founder
The Coffee Lady - Louisa Toogood
Everyone called her Mum. She was a cheerful and motherly lady. An angel. Their Queen.
She had a heart of gold and those in need of Brisbane claimed Louisa Toogood as their own.
The homeless, down and out, penniless, suicidal and the forgotten were regarded by Louisa as her family. "Her boys" as she called them.
At a time when there was little or no services for the destitute, Louisa felt her calling after seeing a dishevelled, drunken and distressed man - his eyes full of anguish. She knew she had to talk to him. She knew she had to try to help him. So she did.
The Coffee Brigade started from humble beginnings with a small picnic basket, Thermos flask filled with hot coffee and a few sweet biscuits from Louisa's trusty Morris Minor car in 1970.
Every morning Louisa would leave her tiny flat on Gregory Terrace, Spring Hill at 4.45am and would drive around the streets, to parks and various regular hideouts in Brisbane seeking anyone who needed help. In the darkness, the headlights of the old car would bring forward figures, seemingly emerging from the shadows. She would draw them to her like a magnet. Hot coffee, fresh sandwiches and fruit, combined with a listening ear, positive connection and telling people they were loved. Louisa quickly built a rapport and fondly became known as "The Coffee Lady".
She was always there. No matter the weather, or the day - everyone knew they could depend on her. She was something to look forward to. A friendly and caring constant.
Quickly the service began to grow.
The first day Louisa served one man, then seven and by the end of the month she had served 325 coffees with biscuits. By the second month it was 647 and 10 days into the third month, 326.
In one year alone the Coffee Brigade served 79,409 free breakfasts. Proudly, 50 years on, the Coffee Brigade still operates daily - rain, hail or shine as it always has.
Importantly, the Coffee Brigade has never been just about the coffee and the sandwiches. It is about the people. The simple acts of compassion, kindness and connection - demonstrating that someone actually cares is sometimes the impetus to just hold on or even help create a new life.
Louisa received many awards, certificates of appreciation and even an MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) for her outstanding service to humanity and the poor and destitute. But Louisa did not do her work for the appreciation. She found a deep satisfaction in helping those who needed it. A wonderful feeling that still resonates with our volunteers to this day.