80 young students in Melbourne’s northern suburbs have been tackling the enduring barriers to ending homelessness: stigma, myths, and misconceptions. We chat with them about how our Schools for Change classroom resources help to shift the narrative on homelessness, deepen empathy, bust myths, and empower students to stand up for the rights of others.
The reality is that there are very few real options for ‘youth safe’ housing in Australia and young people face uncertainty and danger when sleeping rough, in adult rooming houses and couch surfing. We’ve just distributed over $109,000 to support young people into safe housing.
Living in your car, on the street or in a makeshift camp site is dangerous and difficult. But it’s even more of a challenge through winter. Join us in Spreading the warmth this winter by helping provide warm safe housing, warm nutritious food, warm clothing and material aid.
Children without safe homes, 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, who are often the voiceless victims of violence, homelessness and poverty. That’s why we have channeled over $100,000 into 14 grassroot services to support vulnerable children.
It’s been a whirlwind 5 months as TipJar Tours Australia. The Alternative Dairy Co have taken their Team Championship across the country, raising funds to provide hospitality based training and employment opportunities to at-risk cohorts.
We have just channeled direct funding and material aid into flood impacted communities. With a focus on supporting those already experiencing homelessness and disadvantage, funds are empowering grassroot organisations to respond to their needs.
Sleep is inextricably linked to health and wellbeing and for those facing homelessness, it’s hard to come by. Our collaborative initiative SleepSafe has just finished distributing thousands of kits across Australia to those at risk of and experiencing homelessness.
Young people in Australia are entering homelessness at increasing rates, couch surfing and staying in insecure accommodation to avoid sleeping rough. Join us as we rally support to take action on youth homelessness, helping to provide safe housing and essential support.
Last year as World Homeless Day was marked across the globe, 10 year old Anjali was busy reading and advocating for those experiencing homelessness after seeing people sleeping rough in her local area. Her passion and action has resulted in $2,750 being raised to support grassroots responses to homelessness in Melbourne. The StreetSmart team sat down with Anjali to hear more about her motivations and congratulate her on an incredible outcome in advocacy and impact!
We are excited to share that the continued generosity of our monthly donors, those who chipped in to our End of Year Appeal, and philanthropic partnerships and trusts has resulted in a $67,400 funding boost across 16 grassroots organisations. We channelled funding into areas with high rates of need and vulnerability, plugging funding gaps for programs that are responding to the critical needs of their community. Grants are helping to keep people families fed, those with pets care for their furry friends and access inclusive accommodation, and set up new havens of safety and independence.