The incredible support from Sheridan Australia and their generous customers since August 2019 has resulted in over $1 million raised for the SleepSafe program. The latest distributions of more than 20,000 high quality sheets and towels to flood affected regions, Domestic Violence refuges, youth accommodation services, and newly arrived Afghan evacuees, is a testament to this collaborative partnership. Sleep kits are making a real difference for vulnerable Australians and the frontline organisations that support them.
Back in December, our loyal restaurateurs and their staff led the 19th year of DinerSmart, chatting with customers and advocating for a world without homelessness. Thanks to their fundraising efforts and everyone’s generosity the event raised $84,250 that has just been distributed across 26 community partners!
When a natural disaster strikes and the impact is felt as wide-spread as the recent floods, we can feel overwhelmed. As individuals it’s often hard to know where to direct our support. How do we know who is in the most need? Who can we trust to get the job done? Will my small donation make a difference? These are all valid questions, especially in the immediate aftermath. Recent experiences of people waiting for bush fire relief and assistance resulted in many people being put off from donating, supporting the responding charities. This is understandable, but ignores the fact that thousands of volunteers and hundreds of local organisations are jumping straight in to assist people, and they need our support.
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The starting of a new school year is a stressful and anxious time for low-income families experiencing financial hardship. With children starting back at school, and young people trying to stay engaged in education and training, the costs really add up quickly and come all at once. No parent wants their child to miss out, and many young people who are forced to live independently want to stay in education and complete their studies. Read More
Back in August, 285 Cafes and 45 Coffee Roasters partnered up for CafeSmart 2021, an incredible effort during lockdowns and difficult times for the industry and our communities. This week, due to everyone’s generosity, we have been able to make 96 community grants, valued at $169,000 to support people impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Read More
Setting up someone for tenancy success is a vital part of any homeless support service but funding for household items is hard to come by. This is where StreetSmart’s ‘Making-a-Home’ initiative steps in. Read More
In August 2021 we made an additional 11 SmartCare grants.
Frontline homelessness work is very challenging and throughout the pandemic workers have had to care for others first and self, second. Burnout is frequent and impacts the individual and the level of care that can be provided to people experiencing homelessness. Read More
To date, the program has raised more than half a million dollars, which will help over 37,000 vulnerable Australians who are at risk or experiencing homelessness. Read More
Bolton Clarke staff picnic funded by SmartCare
Frontline homelessness case work is distressing and enormously stressful. Staff burnout happens regularly. Workers often suffer ‘vicarious trauma’ as a result of being regularly exposed to distressing material or stories.
That’s why we set up SmartCare. It is an innovative program providing support to our frontline workers. People caring for marginalised and disadvantaged people often don’t take the time or have the necessary tools to look after their own mental and physical wellbeing. In order for charities to retain talented, caring and professional people they need to make sure their staff is supported. So, we stepped in. The StreetSmart community rallied together and donated to enable us to provide 15 grants in November. This meant for the first time in a long while or first time ever, charities could provide team building sessions, self-care initiatives, personal counselling and reward programs.
Here is what it meant to the organisations and their staff…
