REIWA received top honours for Excellence in Corporate Volunteering at last night’s 2023 WA Volunteer of the Year Awards.  

Run by Volunteering WA, the Awards celebrate the outstanding work of volunteers around Western Australia.  

The Excellence in Corporate Volunteering award recognises the positive impact REIWA’s Community REInvest program has had on the WA community through its 10-year partnership with The Salvation Army.  

REIWA CEO Cath Hart said she was extremely honoured to accept the award on behalf of REIWA and its members - real estate agents across the State who volunteer their own time and money to support the Salvos through the Community REInvest program.  

“REIWA’s Community REInvest program was established in 2013 with the aim of helping the more vulnerable in the community, particularly the homeless, through a partnership with the Salvation Army,” Ms Hart said.  

“We’re very proud of our decade-long relationship with the Salvos. Over the years REIWA members have raised over $1 million for their community programs in WA.  

“WA real estate agents regularly take part in initiatives like the Red Shield Appeal, Sleeping Bag Appeal, Homelessness Week campaign and Christmas Appeal, making donations themselves and acting as collection points for the public.   

“The Community REInvest program also coordinates our members to volunteer their time to help the Salvos. REIWA agents have given hundreds of hours in corporate volunteering; cooking meals at The Beacon in Northbridge, serving lunch at Salvos’ HQ and collecting, donating and wrapping gifts at Christmas time.   

“Our volunteer lists are always over-subscribed as our members not only show their support financially, but roll up their sleeves. I know they feel very rewarded to have the opportunity to be able to help others in such an impactful way.”  

Ms Hart said the work of the Community REInvest program also had other benefits.   

“Our involvement with The Salvation Army led to the development of our Tenancy Training program,” Ms Hart said.   

“This was launched with the Salvos and is delivered at The Beacon, with the goal of helping residents make the transition from homelessness to independent living as a tenant in the private market. It also helps train case workers so they in turn can help prospective tenants. From the starting point with the Salvos, it has been expanded to other organisations.  

“I would like to thank everyone at REIWA who played a role in developing and growing the Community REInvest program and the members’ support for this initiative. This award is a wonderful recognition of their efforts.”