Greetings, I am Irene Schynol. So glad you found me!

Every human on our planet deserves food, shelter, clothing, support, kindness and hope. I believe whole heartedly that "if you feel a cause is worthy, then you need to do something".

I'll be honest. I'm pretty fired up. I want to be a voice for the people and I'll do whatever I can to make that happen. Being a voice for those less fortunate than myself is very dear to my own heart, as I am also living on the streets of Caboolture with no place to call home.

I believe the first step is to be kind; to listen and speak up for those who have lost their voice. There is so much despair, grief and hopelessness on the streets.... and many are feeling that no one is listening.

I'm feeling really powerful. I believe Moreton Bay council wanted me to become a Lived Experience Leader for a reason and that it was for humanitarian reasons. They came to me. I didn't go looking for this but now I take being the voice for the people seriously. The people in need come to me and they tell me everything. I help people on the streets by giving them hope where there is none. 

I invite you to join me on this journey of kindness in action.

Irene Schynol, who has been homeless for five years and lives in a car in Caboolture, said she is still waiting to get into public housing.

"I was given a piece of paper for this room and it hasn't been available for six to 12 months," she said. "I feel like I've been fobbed off. I have a chance to be fined $800 to $8000 if I'm caught sleeping in my car, because it is classed as camping."

Ms Schynol, who is a retiree, said she has been actively looking to get into housing.

"I spend two to three hours a day, most days during the week, looking for rentals in different places," she said. "People have been told that hundreds of people are given places and are not taking it, well that is not entirely true. There are so many people out there that are sleeping rough, that have nowhere to go."

Courier Mail - 28 March 2025