Passion for helping others

Hillsong CityCare
Caring. Loving. Dynamo.

Scott Allen’s passion for community work was ignited from the help and support he received from mentors who helped him overcome challenges of substance abuse during his teenage years. “I felt called to live a life in the service of others,” he says.

Scott is the State Manager of Hillsong CityCare in Queensland and the Northern Territory and in his role he has been able to pilot and launch a wide number of programs and services to help vulnerable groups in our community.

Scott is admired for his leadership skills, drive and compassion to help people.

One of his first tasks upon taking on this role was to assist with the mobilisation of a volunteer army of 1000 people to help clean up and rebuild after the 2011 floods.

Scott and team have has helped 105 women with transitional housing after fleeing domestic violence, collected tens of thousands of items for a Christmas drive and provided food assistance to vulnerable families.

He is proud of the Safe Space program, which gives at-risk youth somewhere safe and fun to hang out.

“We hope to improve their self-esteem and help them overcome barriers, to fulfil their potential and make positive life choices,” Scott says.

Westfield Local Heroes are nominated and voted for by their communities, with the three top finalists per Westfield centre each awarded a $10,000 grant for their affiliated organisation. Hillsong CityCare will put the funds towards its Youth Safe Spaces program, which aims to connect vulnerable young people to positive adult role models and create a place where they can feel physically and emotionally Safe such as after school sports and recreational activities, homework clubs and food programs.

For further information on the Westfield Local Heroes program, click here