Coming Together for Change: Live Like Her Challenge 2025
Posted in Community News
On 4 September 2025, Downtown Toyota proudly partnered with Social Mums Club to take part in the Live Like Her Challenge, supporting The Forgotten Women Project. The challenge invites participants to spend one night sleeping in their cars, shining a light on the daily reality for thousands of women over 55 who are experiencing homelessness.
Our team of 10 women from Downtown Toyota and Social Mums Club joined more than 400 participants across Brisbane in showing solidarity. Two of our branded vehicles, a vibrant pink RAV4 affectionately named Olivia and a Corolla Hatch, stood out in the car park. For one night, these cars became shelters, with others in our team choosing to sleep in their own vehicles, reminding us all how easily this could become reality for many women in our community.
Why the Forgotten Women Project Exists
Older women are the fastest-growing group facing homelessness in Australia, and the numbers are confronting. In Queensland alone, more than 40,000 women are without a home. Many have spent their lives working, raising families, and contributing to their communities, yet find themselves caught between limited superannuation, rising rental costs, family breakdowns, and sudden health challenges, without the security of a safe place to live.
That’s where The Forgotten Women Project steps in. In partnership with Mangrove Housing, the project is committed to ending homelessness for women over 55 by providing safe, secure, and affordable housing. Founder and CEO Teresa Reed spoke passionately on the night, calling the challenge “the best event you’ll go to all year… sleeping in your car, living like her.” Her words captured the urgency and purpose of the evening.
Voices from the Night
For many participants, the event offered a confronting glimpse into just how fragile housing security can be.
Rhianna from Mangrove Housing highlighted why safe housing changes everything: “Housing is a fundamental right that opens the door to so many other positive outcomes. Everyone deserves a safe place to live… these contributions truly make a difference,” she said, thanking the community for its generosity.
For community supporter and Social Mum Dawn Glenn, the experience was deeply personal: “If we didn’t have a roof over our heads tonight, we’d be sleeping in the back of our trucks every night, and that really makes me stop and think. Seeing proof that funds are going directly to women in need gives me hope.”
And for Kirsty and Talia from Social Mums Club, who spent the night in Downtown Toyota vehicles, the message was clear: “It’s such an important and inspiring initiative, and we’re proud to be part of it. Everyone here genuinely cares about their community. We also want to thank Downtown Toyota for standing alongside us.”
Driving Awareness and Change
At Downtown Toyota, we believe in supporting initiatives that strengthen our community. Partnering with Social Mums Club and standing alongside The Forgotten Women Project reflects our commitment to being more than just a dealership, we are here to drive awareness, empathy, and change.
Homelessness is not a distant issue. It’s happening right here in our communities, to women who have worked hard all their lives. Events like the Live Like Her Challenge remind us that with collective action, we can help rewrite these stories.
