It’s been 4 years since the inception of SleepSafe and although it’s growth and reach has expanded since, the belief in and commitment to providing practical support, care, and dignity to those in crisis has not. At it’s heart, SleepSafe helps Australian’s facing homelessness and hardship to feel worthy, safe, and cared for. Having distributed over 108,000 kits (and counting) we reflect on what it means to have a safe night sleep, and how sleep kits help bring comfort to those in crisis.
Our recent Winter Appeal raised funds to help vulnerable Australians experiencing homelessness, poverty and rental stress. Thanks to those donors, supporters, corporates and philanthropists who took part in the appeal – your collective efforts have meant $180,000 in housing support and food relief for those facing homelessness.
Our annual CafeSmart campaign is a mere 2 weeks away and with hundreds of Cafe’s across the country getting ready to don their windows in yellow and start fundraising, we reflect on the power of this community led fundraiser in creating real change for people at risk or experiencing homelessness.
Homelessness week is around the corner in August (Monday 7 to Sunday 13) with the theme of ‘it’s time to end homelessness.’ Schools for Change is helping classrooms and communities across Australia to learn, engage, and advocate during this important week.
We are incredibly excited to have just wrapped up our latest SleepSafe distribution, bringing the total number of distributed kits to over 100,000! That is over 100,000 moments of care, dignity and comfort provided to people in crisis and facing hardship. Without the generosity of Sheridan customers and the day in and day out advocacy of their staff for our SleepSafe collaboration, this impact would not have been possible.
We are in the thick of winter. For thousands of vulnerable people sleeping rough, the cold, damp nights make life difficult and dangerous. Their situation is perilous, with every hour spent outside impacting their health and wellbeing. Our housing and homelessness crisis is also a healthcare crisis and this month, we are raising funds to ensure people experiencing homelessness can access critical healthcare.
Thanks to our community of public, corporate, and philanthropic supporters, our End of Year appeal has generated $67,000 for grassroots homelessness services.Through 13 grants, this funding is ensuring that vulnerable people are supported with all parts of a safe and secure home, from a roof over their heads, to food for their children, or financial help to keep paying bills. Communities across Australia are grappling with a cost of living crisis as rents, food, and basic essentials become increasingly difficult to afford, straining community support services as more people seek help.
TipJar has kicked off 2023 with several grants totalling $14,600 that are helping to create and sustain hospitality job training opportunities for vulnerable and at-risk people. Public donors and corporate contributions have made these grants possible. These programs are helping change the story for people who face barriers to employment and financial security.
For a nation of pet lovers, Australia is not actually very pet friendly if you are trying to flee domestic violence or trying to secure a crisis or permanent accommodation. Unfortunately it is common for those who are experiencing homelessness or leaving a domestic violence situation are unable to access safe and secure accommodation with their pets. This means they often are forced to stay in unsafe situations or sleep on the streets to remain with their companion. That’s why during March 2023 we are raising funds for outreach vet services (like food, vaccinations, flea treatment) and emergency accommodation for pets so their owners can stay somewhere safe.
LGBTIQA+ community members are more than twice as likely to experience homelessness than the rest of the population. Violence, family rejection, discrimination, and trauma in these communities drive the over-representation of LGBTIQA+ people among those who are homeless. We need to invest in more specialised services and workers who can support housing pathways for LGBTIQ+ people to ensure they are safe and secure.
StreetSmart is an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming workplace that values diversity of expression. We know that members of the LGBTQIA+ community are particularly vulnerable to experiencing homelessness and we partner with organisations that work to support people in need, without discrimination or prejudice.
We acknowledge the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Custodians of the unceded lands on which our organisation is located and where we conduct our business. We pay our respects to Elders, past and present. StreetSmart is committed to honouring Indigenous peoples’ unique cultural and spiritual relationships to the land, waters and seas and their rich contribution to society.
StreetSmart is an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming workplace that values diversity of expression. We know that members of the LGBTQIA+ community are particularly vulnerable to experiencing homelessness and we partner with organisations that work to support people in need, without discrimination or prejudice.
We acknowledge the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Custodians of the unceded lands on which our organisation is located and where we conduct our business. We pay our respects to Elders, past and present. StreetSmart is committed to honouring Indigenous peoples’ unique cultural and spiritual relationships to the land, waters and seas and their rich contribution to society.
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