Immediate support for children without safe homes
We have an alarming scale of child homelessness in Australia. Three in ten Specialist Homelessness Service clients are under the age of 18. In March last year, 15,414 boys and girls under 9 years old sought help from homelessness services.
Children who experience homelessness are particularly vulnerable and are at an increased risk of being homeless as adolescents and adults. They are more likely to experience mental health, emotional, and behavioural challenges than housed children. Children without safe homes and who are facing homelessness are also more likely to go hungry, negatively impacting developmental and health outcomes.
The reality is that children facing homelessness, living in poverty, and affected by domestic and family violence need immediate and trauma-informed care. We need to be responding to the urgent needs of children without safe homes, who are often the voiceless victims of violence, homelessness and poverty.
”"The children we support are facing many challenges with housing insecurity/homelessness and family violence at the forefront. As a result, we observe challenges related to food insecurity, disengagement from school and lack of social connection/access to extracurricular activities."
Juno, VIC (Naarm)
100,500
530
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4 grants creating change for vulnerable children
If we are to end homelessness we must target support to particularly vulnerable cohorts, including young children without safe homes. We need to ensure our youngest community members have access to education, social connection, and trauma-informed care, as they navigate homelessness and are supported into safe homes. That’s why we have once again supported a range of child-centred programs and responses, in communities and regions which have been identified as having high rates of homelessness and high need.
StreetSmart monthly givers generate ongoing impact throughout the year and their generous donations through January and February have enabled $20,500 to be distributed across 4 states. Read below how this is bringing about change for children without safe homes.
| Organisation | State | Grant |
| Baby Give Back | QLD | $5,125.00 |
| Darwin Aboriginal and Islander Women’s Shelter | NT | $5,125.00 |
| Great Lakes Womens Shelter | NSW | $5,125.00 |
| Indigo Junction | WA | $5,125.00 |
| Total | $20,500.00 |
”"Domestic and Family Violence is at it's highest peak in the NT, and unfortunately, the children are also victims."
Darwin Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women's Shelter, NT (on Larrakia Country)
Pictured: Baby Give Back, Gold Coast (Bundjalung Country)
“This grant will help us keep providing activities, play therapy, 1 on 1, and group interactions that promote development and address the diverse trauma responses that each child presents with. We had a 3 year old boy who came to the shelter being completely non-verbal after witnessing horrific violence. Our dedicated support helped with reigniting his inner joy and happiness, and being able to talk after a few months living in shelter.” – Great Lakes Women’s Shelter NSW (on Worimi Country).
10 grants help provide education, social connection, and trauma-informed care
Through our partnership with a philanthropic foundation, we have been able to plug funding gaps for 10 community organisations across Regional and Metro areas, creating immediate impact for children experiencing homelessness or at risk.
| Melbourne Metro | ||
| Big Group Hug | North East | $8,000.00 |
| Council of Single Mothers and Their Children | Metro | $8,000.00 |
| Emerge | Bayside | $8,000.00 |
| Good Samaritan Inn | Northern | $8,000.00 |
| inTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence | Metro | $8,000.00 |
| Juno | Northern | $8,000.00 |
| Wombat Housing | Inner West/North | $8,000.00 |
| Regional and Statewide | ||
| Loddon Mallee Homelessness Network | Bendigo | $8,000.00 |
| CAFS | Ballarat | $8,000.00 |
| The Bridge YS | Shepparton | $8,000.00 |
| Total | $80,000.00 |
“100% of this grant will go towards assisting the children without safe homes who we work with or who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness. With StreetSmart’s support, we can ensure that the children we support have access to vital resources and opportunities that will make a lasting difference in their lives.”– Wombat Housing Support Services
“This additional funding comes at the perfect time to be able to help Big Group Hug with an incredible influx of requests. Since coming back from the Christmas holiday period, we have found ourselves receiving a new request for material aid every 6 minutes.”– Big Group Hug (on Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country)
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Big Group Hug (Facebook)
“This will have a positive impact on children and young people who are homeless or at risk of experiencing homelessness to have adequate resources to support their education as well as recreational opportunities that they may otherwise not have access to.” – Child and Family Services Ballarat (Waddawurrung and Dja Dja Wurrung)
”"Having access to flexible funds from StreetSmart ensures individualised tailored support plans can be achieved without restriction. The funds will take the pressure off families. Our specialist youth workers have identified the need for funding for younger children, in particular: purchase additional bedding specific for younger children (portable cots, bassinets, mattress protectors, cot sheets), and re-establishment items such as uniforms, school bags, pushbike, books, toys, balls and games."
The Bridge Youth Service, Shepparton (Yorta Yorta Country)
Our donors and supporters have once again collectively made an incredible difference for small grassroots organisations and the thousands of people they support. We are always interested in connecting with philanthropic trusts and foundations who are looking to partner for positive impact and respond to homelessness in Australia, please reach out at partners@streetsmartaustralia.org if this sounds like you.
