Six years ... thousands of homes and their inhabitants ... hundreds of volunteers and dozens of churches ...  It's called:  "Yes! We Care."

What a journey! Let me tell you about an amazing movement of people that for the past six years has been growing in size and impact across the city of Brisbane, and neighbouring regions in Southeast Queensland. In early 2011, the ‘Yes! We Care' concept was picked-up by a group of Christian churches in Townsville in North Queensland and in June 2011 saw them complete their first, ‘Neighbour to Neighbour' (N2N) assignments across their city. ‘Yes! We Care' enjoys the support and cooperation of Brisbane's Lord Mayor and the Brisbane City Council. Now into its 6^th year, it's a program of offering practical help, and support to householders struggling to keep up with the tasks at home. As well as other personal assistance as the need arises on the day and in the days that follow the "Yes We Care" once a year campaign.

What is - Yes! We Care

Yes! We Care was birthed around six years ago by Ben Gray and group of pastors and ministry leaders in the city of Brisbane, with a common desire to see the church come together on the last Saturday in June with the single purpose of visibly demonstrating the love and compassion of Jesus Christ in a practical way to people in their homes. Since then, a significant number of churches, denominations and groups have offered support to the idea. It is our desire to mobilize hundreds of church based volunteers, to meet the needs of a large number of people across the Greater Brisbane Region.

From the outset Yes! We Care has had the full support and endorsement of Brisbane's Lord Mayor and is backed by Brisbane City Council whose staff have greatly assisted us each year. Over the years the work undertaken has mainly covered household tasks like; general cleaning, dusting, vacuuming, sweeping, and cleaning bathrooms and kitchens, including basic garden work, pruning, lawn mowing and on occasions some painting, fence repairs and general yard work. Many have been assisted over the years; some have include the elderly, incapacitated and isolated who are unable to perform normal duties associated with looking after their own homes or residences, including those with special needs or face difficult circumstances as identified by community leaders.

• It has been our hope and desire over the years that:
• - People in our local communities in need are given help and assistance through the church...
• - That the church in the City is appreciated as it reaches out to those in need...
• - Those socially isolated in our communities can feel included in our city as others serve them through ‘Yes! We Care'...
• - Churches, ministries, civic and community leaders, including other service organizations can demonstrate their capacity to work in harmony for the common good of the city and its people...
• - Local churches and their people are mobilized into ministry and the mission of the kingdom...
• - Other cities and towns across Australia might think about how they might adopt a similar initiative.

For more information on Yes! We Care in Brisbane please visit yeswecare.org.au.