We recently sat down with Brook Monahan, Founder and Managing Director of Mosaic Property Group, to gain insights into the remarkable partnership between Mosaic and Emmanuel City Mission, shedding light on their shared commitment to addressing homelessness and making a lasting impact on the Brisbane community. Here is what he had to say.

Can you tell us how Mosaic Property Group first learned about Emmanuel City Mission (ECM) and what initially drew you to support their mission?
At its core, our business is about providing shelter – beautiful homes for people to live in. It’s not lost on us that not everyone is fortunate enough to own or rent their home, let alone know that they will have a safe place to sleep every night. Homelessness is an issue escalating rapidly around us and it’s something we feel very passionately about. It’s now an important focus for Mosaic’s Foundation.
When I was introduced to Emmanuel City Mission through one of our long-serving staff members and met its driving force, Roby, I couldn’t help but be impressed by his passion, drive and more importantly the tangible outcomes ECM was achieving in assisting Brisbane’s growing homelessness. On my first visit to meet with Roby and his team in South Brisbane I was blown away by the impact they were having with limited resources for people in dire circumstances. It was a very humbling experience. I knew from this first meeting that it was something the Mosaic Foundation should support in a meaningful way, and we have ever since.

Could you describe the journey of your partnership with ECM? How has it evolved over time?
We started through regular staff volunteering and donations more than two years ago and have grown our relationship to support them through adding value wherever we can through our people, connections, financial support, and the skill set of our team. This involves our staff volunteering on Mosaic paid time, every few weeks at the Mission. Over time we have introduced other corporates like the Queensland Cricketers Club to the Mission, who now offer sponsorship support. They are providing essential bulk food items to the Mission and also organised a very successful fundraising event earlier this year. In addition to financial support, Mosaic has also donated appliances and other essential items, clothing, as well as simple household items that help transition some of the people ECM supports back into the community.
Most recently we reached out to my son’s school for support. As a result, we now have a compassionate team of boarders who willingly volunteer their time every fortnight, bright and early in the morning before school, to assist in feeding the homeless. The volunteering by our staff and the boarders not only provides crucial support to those in need but also offers a profoundly rewarding experience for those involved. It’s simultaneously a grounding and uplifting experience.

In what ways has Mosaic Property Group actively supported ECM's initiatives? Can you share some specific projects or activities you've been involved in together?
We are very fortunate to have an amazing group of people work at Mosaic who we support to volunteer at the Mission at least once a month cooking and serving meals during work hours and I know they feel rewarded and privileged to have some small involvement at ECM. Most recently, I've been personally participating in volunteering alongside my son and students from his school as well as introducing my wife and other three children to the Mission, which we will be doing together as a family on a more regular basis moving forward. During these breakfast sessions, I've been encouraging the young boys to engage in meaningful conversations with the individuals we are serving at the mission. This experience has proven to be incredibly valuable in broadening their perspectives and humanising the importance of caring for those who are most marginalised and vulnerable. It has become evident to them just how significant the issue of homelessness is right here in Brisbane. This firsthand exposure has instilled in these young boys a profound sense of gratitude and perspective, highlighting just how fortunate they are in their own lives, as well as reinforcing the importance of being able to do whatever you can throughout your life to help others less fortunate than yourself.

What does this partnership mean to you personally, and what role does it play in your company's overall mission and values?
We established the Mosaic Foundation because we want to give back to the communities we work within. We feel humbled by the support our organisation receives from the people who trust Mosaic to deliver beautiful homes for them. This drives the passion we have to be actively involved in organisations like ECM that make a real difference. We invest much needed time, expertise and funds into grass-root initiatives that contribute to improving the lives of those who most need it. I have nothing but admiration for people like Roby and his broader team, who have committed their entire lives to selflessly helping others. He and the other organisations we work with are inspirational and certainly encourage me to want to do more.

Looking forward, what do you envision for the future of Mosaic Property Group's partnership with ECM? Are there any upcoming initiatives or projects you'd like to highlight?
We definitely see this as a long term relationship. We are very keen to help ECM find the security they need in terms of having certainty about the location they operate from in South Brisbane and perhaps elsewhere over time in the inner city areas that need an organisation like ECM. We’ll support ECM for as long as they need us and are committed to increasing the extent of our support, financial and otherwise, this year and beyond.

What advice would you offer to other businesses considering partnerships with charitable organizations like ECM?
There’s nothing more satisfying than a partnership that is genuine. By that I mean, where you and the organisation you are supporting have real alignment and you have the ability to offer them the support they need to get on and do the work they are passionate about – whether that’s through using your professional skills, donating money, volunteering your time or workplace giving. Find your connection and do your best. I don’t think we can ever do enough in this space, and we are constantly learning how to help in the most effective way with each relationship we form.

Mosaic's incredible impact