There are moments when a community’s cke a soft, steady tide — quietly rising to meet the needs of those who struggle, carrying warmth andture of aid. On the Gold Coast, the charity Serving Our People (SOP) was once held in that gentle lifood services, community cafés, and support programs that touched many lives across southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales. In recent days, however, that sense of calm has met an unexpected, troubling current, revealing how quickly the story of an organization can shift when its founder faces deeply serious allegations.
At the center of this shift is Yas Daniel Matbouly, the 50‑year‑old founder of SOP, a man who helped build the charity from its beginnings in the COVID‑19 pandemic to one of the region’s most visible support organizations. In late January, police charged Matbouly with multiple serious sexual offences, including 34 counts of sexual assault and 14 counts of rape, allegedly committed against three women known to him between April and November 2025.
The allegations, and the subsequent raid on SOP’s Mermaid Beach headquarters, sent shockwaves through both the charity and the wider community. Volunteers watched as detectives executed a search warrant, and soon afterwards Matbouly surrendered to police at Southport, facing more than 50 charges in total — including assault occasioning bodily harm and attempted rape.
In response, the charity moved swiftly to distance itself from its founder. Serving Our People confirmed that Matbouly is no longer operating as CEO or a board member, and that ties with him have been cut effective immediately. Though he had already stepped down as chief executive late last year in anticipation of new leadership, the pending court case accelerated the need for a clear break. The organization said it was focused on supporting staff and volunteers, and that interim governance would continue as it seeks a new CEO to lead its mission forward.
For many who once viewed SOP as a beacon of community support, the news has been unsettling. The charity’s work spans free supermarkets, cafes, and social services aimed at helping vulnerable and homeless individuals — tasks that require trust and goodwill between providers and the people they serve. Local leaders have expressed concern about the impact of recent events, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that the charity can continue its operations without disruption. Sam O’Connor, Queensland’s Housing Minister, acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations and said elected officials would monitor how the organization moves ahead.
While Matbouly’s legal team has said he intends to contest the charges in court, the human reality of the allegations has reverberated far beyond the courtroom. Last weekend, he was granted bail under strict conditions, including regularly reporting to police, surrendering his passport, and avoiding contact with alleged victims as he awaits another court hearing later in February.
Matbouly himself has denied the claims, issuing a statement that he will defend himself fully and transparently in court and that serious allegations should be resolved by evidence rather than speculation. Those words underscore the uncertainty that now surrounds the case, even as legal proceedings begin to unfold.
For the volunteers and those who rely on SOP’s services, this is a time of reflection and adjustment. The organization continues its work through the efforts of remaining board members and staff, seeking to separate its mission from the controversies affecting its founder. What remains clear is the community’s need for social support services, and the challenge of ensuring that such work — once rooted in well‑intentioned beginnings — can persist with integrity and resilience in the face of adversity.
AI Image Disclaimer “Visuals are created with AI tools and are not real photographs.”
Sources : ABC News The Courier‑Mail Hot Tomato / local news AAP News