Birch Foundation team celebrating the opening of their community space

Because everyone deserves someone in their corner

Our story is one of resilience and hope

From humble beginnings to becoming a registered Australian charity, Birch Foundation was built by people who understand hardship and are committed to ensuring no one faces it alone.

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Est. 2023

Our Beginning

Founded on lived experience

Birch Foundation was established in 2023 with a simple but powerful mission: to support people experiencing hardship and build stronger communities across the Gold Coast. Born from the lived experiences of our founder, Birch Foundation was created to ensure that no one has to face hardship alone. Through street outreach, care packages, domestic violence support and community programs, we provide practical help and genuine human connection to people doing it tough. Today, our volunteers and supporters continue this mission by reaching people where they are and offering compassion, dignity and support.

5+Years of service

1000+Lives touched

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Our People

The team behind the mission

Our leadership team brings a wealth of experience, expertise and lived understanding of life’s challenges. Each member is committed to supporting people in need and strengthening our community.

Shone Benjamin

Founder

Founder of Birch Foundation, Birch Care and Birch Allied Health. Shone draws from his own lived experience of homelessness and escaping a coercive cult environment to advocate for people experiencing hardship. With over a decade of experience in the community sector, he is committed to strengthening communities across the Gold Coast.

Emmy Baert

Board Member

A mental health occupational therapist and clinical head for Birch Allied Health. Emmy brings a deeply empathetic perspective shaped by her personal experience with domestic violence and her strong educational background in psychology and occupational therapy.

Joshua Kilburn

Director

Founder and managing director of Top Carers with extensive experience in aged care, hospital, and community care. Passionate about creating new opportunities for participants based on their passions and interests.

Daniel Polo

Director

A highly skilled and dedicated accountant with a strong track record of helping individuals and organisations achieve their financial goals. With years of experience in financial management, strategic planning, and business operations, Daniel brings valuable expertise to his role as Director at Birch Foundation.

Friends of Birch Foundation

The people who make our work possible

We are grateful for the supporters, businesses and community members who help make our work possible.

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Friendly Neighbours

Local supporters who have generously donated items and resources to support our office and community op shop. True friends of Birch Foundation.

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Little Lawyers

Little Lawyers have been a massive supporter of Birch Foundation, helping fund our programs that support people doing it tough in our community.

BBQ Volunteers

Dedicated volunteers who run our Bunnings sausage sizzles and BBQ fundraisers, helping Birch Foundation raise vital funds to support people doing it tough in our community.

Rosies – Friends on the Street

Birch Foundation works alongside Rosies – Friends on the Street during street outreach. Rosies provides food and refreshments, while Birch Foundation provides clothing and essential items to support people doing it tough in our community.

4Voices group supporting Birch Foundation outreach

Connecting Women, Changing Lives

Providing judgment-free support for women facing domestic violence, homelessness, and digital and social isolation. These amazing ladies from 4voices.org.au help us and show up to every outreach from the very beginning. We can't thank you enough.

Our Journey

Key milestones

From a grassroots initiative to a registered Australian charity, here are the moments that shaped who we are.

2023

The Foundation Begins

Birch Foundation was established in 2023 with a mission to support people experiencing hardship. Starting with a small op shop and coffee bar run by volunteers, the charity began providing clothing, essential items, and community support.

2024

Growing the Mission

Volunteer numbers grew and fundraising efforts expanded. Birch Foundation began connecting individuals to support services, including free legal advice, and launched early street outreach initiatives.

2025

Expanding Outreach

Birch Foundation partnered with Rosies – Friends on the Street for community outreach. Rosies provides food while Birch Foundation provides clothing and essential items to people experiencing hardship.

2025

Supporting the Community

The Thursday Give Back initiative launched, providing free clothing and essentials. Care and Lifestyle Expos and Seniors Morning Teas were also introduced to connect the community with support services.

2026

A Growing Movement

Birch Foundation opened a larger community space, allowing the charity to expand its op shop, coffee bar, and outreach programs with growing support from volunteers, donors, and community partners.

What Drives Us

Our mission is built on five core pillars

Through these pillars, Birch Foundation supports people experiencing domestic violence, homelessness, hardship, and social isolation by restoring dignity, strengthening communities, and creating opportunities for a better future.

❤️

Love

Creating a safe and welcoming environment where individuals experiencing hardship, domestic violence, or homelessness feel valued, respected, and supported.

🤝

Support

Providing practical assistance, referrals, and community support to help individuals and families access the services they need during difficult times.

⭐

Arise

Empowering people to rebuild their confidence and independence after hardship, helping them move forward with hope and stability.

🏗️

Build

Strengthening communities through outreach programs, partnerships, and initiatives that support vulnerable individuals and families.

💛

Give

Giving back through community initiatives including street outreach for people experiencing homelessness, free clothing programs, and social connections for seniors.

Our Vision

A future where no one faces hardship alone

Birch Foundation is a Gold Coast charity dedicated to supporting people experiencing domestic violence, homelessness, hardship, and social isolation. We envision a community where individuals and families can access the support, connection, and resources they need to rebuild their lives with dignity and hope. Through street outreach, volunteer programs, community initiatives, and partnerships across the Gold Coast, Birch Foundation works to support vulnerable individuals, connect seniors with their community, and create opportunities for people to move forward with stability and confidence.

Join Our Movement

Be part of the change in our community

Whether you volunteer, donate, or spread the word, your support helps Birch Foundation assist people experiencing domestic violence, homelessness, and hardship across the Gold Coast.

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