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DONATE NOW TO HELP SUPPORT HOMELESS SERVICES FOR OLDER WOMEN

Did you know? 34 per cent of single women over 60 in Australia currently live in poverty, and many are experiencing housing stress and homelessness*.

This month you can help us take action to support older women experiencing homelessness by providing critical funding to women’s frontline and housing services.

For many older women it has been a culmination of a number of factors that has resulted in them needing support. Many have insufficient superannuation or savings to fund the costs of living due to their life time of caring roles for family, combined with casual work or part time work. If a long term relationship end through separation, divorce or the death of an income earning spouse, a woman’s vulnerability increases. And chronic lack of affordable and appropriate housing is also driving older women into homelessness.

Read more here

Your donation will be providing vital resources and support to:

*Source: ‘Time of Our Lives’ study, Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation

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Check out the previous projects we have supported

  • 5400 SleepSafe Kits
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    Providing a safe night’s sleep across Australia

    5,400 SleepSafe sleep kits have been delivered over the past two months. Reaching every state and territory across Australia. This incredible impact is thanks to generous customers who donate instore and online through Sheridan Australia. Each kit, containing a towel & sheet set, is provided to people in crisis, such as victims of domestic violence and vulnerable youth. Total Sleep Kits donated: 36,487

  • SmartMeals 170000 Delivered
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    SmartMeals delivered meals and job training

    170,000 meals have been made and delivered through SmartMeals. The program has double the impact by providing job training to people in challenging circumstances so they can enter the work force and have a more secure future. With the meals delivered to victims of domestic violence, people with a disability, refugees and other marginalised members of the community. Total SmartMeals delivered: 170,000

  • Recovery Fund
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    Recovery Fund supporting charities in crisis

    Our Recovery Fund grants have provided much-needed relief to devastated communities across NSW. Pantry items, toiletries, grocery & fuel gift cards, backpack beds and sleeping bags were delivered to vulnerable people. And over $40,000 was delivered to six youth services across five states. Providing vital care and resources to vulnerable young people. Total Funds Distributed: $55,000

  • CafeSmart grants
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    Over $80,000 distributed in CafeSmart community grants

    Thanks to our amazing network of CafeSmart 2020 venues, and their generous customers, we have distributed more than $80,000 in community grants! We fast-tracked these funds to 87 community partners just before Christmas. That means a positive impact for vulnerable people, across the country, when they needed it most. Practical and vital aid was delivered through school supplies for disadvantaged children, driving lessons for vulnerable women, medical equipment for street teams and much more. Total Funds Provided: $80,400

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    SmartCare – Supporting Frontline Workers

    Frontline workers have done an amazing job caring for some of our most vulnerable and marginalised people through the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s crucial that workers have good support for their mental and physical well-being. Through our SmartCare initiative we are funding important support programs including mental health first aid courses and counseling, self-care initiatives, care packs, vouchers, new staff equipment, and team building sessions. Total Funds Provided $47,000

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    COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund for Operational Costs

    In August we provided 5 grants from our COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund. These grants were to support SmartMeals recipients operational costs. This reflected that the program requires our charity partners to use 100% of grants to purchase meals, sandwiches and other food products from our the cafes/restaurant partners. These grants will help with the coordination of the program, staffing and deliveries etc. Total Funds Provided $12,000

  • StreetSmart Funded Project in July 2020
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    COVID19 Emergency Assist

    We recently provided five grants from our COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund to ensure vulnerable hospitality workers are receiving meals through these difficult times. The hospitality sector has been devastated by COVID-19. 100,000’s of workers have been laid off, or had hours drastically cut. We want to make sure everyone has access to a nutritious meal. Total Funds Provided: $10,000

  • Youth Peopl Ahead
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    Education for vulnerable youths

    We provided four grants to youth-based organisations from our COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund to assist with immediate and future needs. Young people experiencing homelessness were already facing difficulty before this pandemic and now we want to make sure they have the practical tools and resources they need to move forward and thrive. Total Funds Provided: $10,000

  • Funded project May 2020
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    Support for domestic violence services

    We recently provided grants from our COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund to several grassroots services focused supporting victims of domestic violence. A few of the practical items these grants funded include: a SmartTV to facilitate group therapy, new phones and SIM cards for women fleeing domestic violence, home starter kits to help women move from crisis accommodation into their own place and emergency vouchers for clients for food, petrol, taxis and other necessities. Total Funds Provided: $10,000

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    COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund

    Late April we provided three grants from our COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund. We moved fast to distribute funds to make sure people are getting the support they need. All three grants support the urgent demand for health responses for the most vulnerable. StreetMed in Western Sydney, All Round Health in Hobart and Sunny Street on Sunshine Coast specialise in delivering healthcare services all year round to people who are homeless. Total Funds Provided: $11,000

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    Aiming to End Inner City Street Homelessness

    The Adelaide Zero Project aims to end street homelessness in the inner city of Adelaide through a collaborative ‘Housing First’ model. In March we raised funds to kick-start an Emergency Fund to help support people sleeping rough to access housing and support quickly, critical to respond to the COVID-19 crisis. Total Funds provided: $10,000

  • Feb 2020 StreetFunder
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    Community Groups Affected by Bushfires

    This month we supported three small, local, organisations helping people impacted by the fires. The Hut Community Centre (SA), Bairnsdale Neighbourhood House (VIC) and Social Justice Advocates (NSW). Total Funds provided: $6,000

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    Back To School

    Many young people experiencing homelessness find it hard to maintain their education.  Displacement, upheaval, stress and poverty all contribute to disrupted schooling.  That’s why in January we helped provide support to help pay for school uniforms, stationery items, shoes, tutoring, transport and enrolments at Young People Ahead in Mount Isa and Roseberry in Gladstone. Total Funds provided: $8,336

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    SleepSafe

    In Nov/Dec 2019 your donations supported the SleepSafe initiative. Every $15 donated provided a 'sleep kit', including a towel and single bed sheet set, to someone experiencing homelessness. Kits will be provided in February to women’s refuges, youth refuges, community housing, and family services across all States. Total funds provided $19,020.

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    Poverty and Homelessness

    Many women and young girls who are homeless experience “period poverty” on a monthly basis. During October (with Anti-Poverty Week 13-19th Oct) we raised awareness and funds for the Melbourne Period Project who provide care, support and sanitary products for homeless women around Australia. Total Funds provided: $7,984

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    Older Women and Homelessness

    Older women over 55 years of age are the fastest growing cohort of people experiencing homelessness. The funds raised this month went towards improving the electrical infrastructure at Beecroft House and supplying each resident with some basic electrical appliances. Total Funds provided: $16,549

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    On The Front Line

    In August 2019 we raised funds for The Haymarket Foundation in Sydney. Providing a safe place for people in crisis, supporting people transitioning into long-term accommodation, and provide a range of supportive environments and as many chances as are needed to support someone on their journey to independence. Total Funds provided: $7,175

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    Homelessness in the Regions

    This month our funds raised went to support homeless services at Tamworth Family Support. Supporting regions that thrive on successful tourism but lack available, affordable housing stock for many experiencing homelessness. Total Funds provided: $5,305

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    Winter Appeal – Street Medical Outreach

    During EOFY2019 we raised vital funding for 5 lifesaving health projects who hit the streets each night to care for the most vulnerable in our community. These organisations are poorly funded and some are entirely run by volunteers. This month funding will go to: Homeless Healthcare (Perth), Homeless Health Care Tasmania (Hobart), MICAH (Brisbane), Night Nurses (Melbourne), and Street Med (Sydney). Total Funds provided: $36,125 ($7,225 per project)

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    Winter Night Shelters

    In May your support helped to fund 3 Winter Night Shelters in the Yarra Ranges, Sunbury and Bendigo with grants of  $2,362 each.  These funds were used to buy bedding, provide meals, showers, food packs, hygiene and toiletry packs and essentials for people who access the centres. Total Funds provided: $7,086

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    Blacktown Youth Services

    In April we helped Blacktown YS to manage crisis of young people experiencing homelessness. Funded a small scale proj to deliver a space to engage with homeless young people and provide them with practical material and emotional support; and develop a comprehensive resource that provides guidance for young people how to navigate the system. Total Funds provided: $6,000

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    Becoming a Queen Again Book Project

    We provided seed funding for 'Becoming a Queen Again' a new book for women experiencing domestic violence, to assist them in securing a safe place to call home, and with their recovery and healing journey. Enabling S and the Sunny Kids team, to develop and prepare the book to the point of printing. Total Funds provided: $5,016

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    Help Support Aboriginal Housing Program

    Founded as a women's shelter in the 1980s, "Helping the mob to help themselves" is the proud motto of Innari, a small, longstanding support service in Sydney, with a team of only four staff. Your support in Feb supported their housing program. Total Funds provided: $5,327

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    Help Support Older LGBTI People

    We know that discrimination and structural disadvantage has created a crisis for older women but older LGBTI homelessness is a hidden issue. That's why in Jan 2019 we helped funded a LGBTI Elders program with HAAG to connect with older LGBTI people who are struggling without support. Total Funds provided: $7,132

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    Cost of Christmas

    In Nov & Dec 2018, we supported 5 organistions to provide Christmas dinners, gifts and extended opening hours and make sure no one is isolated during the holiday season. Organisation supported: Cos We Care - SA, Manna Gum Community House - VIC, Zig Zag - QLD, Coast Shelter - NSW, Whitelion Balga - Perth. Total Funds provided: $16,200

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    Safe Pets Safe Families

    With the help of 130 foster carers, volunteer case workers, vets, trainers and a network of professionals, we helped to make sure that personal safety does not come at a cost of losing a precious furry friend, helping those fleeing violent relationship with their pets. Funds provided $5,850

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    Home Share Melbourne

    In Sep 2018 we seed-funded Home Share Melbourne; an innovative project to get it off the ground with a pilot program. By matching homeowners with room to share, with people who cannot afford the cost of rent – Home Share is creating a proactive solution to homelessness. Read our interview with Home Share here. Total funds provided $9,502

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    Registry Weeks

    An important intervention (supported by The Australian Alliance to End Homelessnes) enables the use the ‘Housing First’ model by working to mobilise resources at the community level to identify, by name, every individual and family in need of permanent housing, specifically targeting rough sleepers and the most vulnerable. Our August campaign supported the AAEH to equip more communities to roll out Registry Weeks and solve homelessness at the local level. Total funds provided $5,740

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    Social Enterprises

    July 2018 we shined a light on the role of social enterprise in solving homelessness - crowdfunded for two incredible projects - Crepes for Change (Melbourne) to give young people experiencing homelessness training, and The Bread and Butter Project (Sydney) to hire one more employee in their growing team of refugees and asylum seeker bakers. Total funds provided $7,370

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    Medical Care for Rough Sleepers

    This EOFY, we supported FIVE life saving health projects – Night Nurses (Melbourne), Homeless Healthcare (Perth), Street Med (Sydney), Micah Projects - Medical Outreach Team (Brisbane) and Homeless Healthcare Street Clinic (Hobart). Funds provided: $38,050

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    Open Doors Youth Service

    In May 2018 we supported Open Doors Youth Service; a QLD based service, that provide comprehensive support to young LGBT people with the aim of ensuring a secure living situation. They help find short or long term accommodation and provide mediation with parents, schools and other family members. Funds provided $6,300

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    Youth Law Legal Pod Program

    We supported the Youth Law Legal Pod Program aimed specifically at helping care leavers, and adding our voice to the #MakeIt21 campaign encouraging Governments to extend care to 21 years of age. Through mentoring the Legal Pod team are able to help negotiate the complexities of adult life and dealing with legal issues. Funds provided $5,141

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    First Nations Homelessness Project

    We supported the First Nations Housing Project in March 2018, a community driven initiative in Perth, working to keep indigenous families housed. With a small boost from our StreetFunders we helped fund lawn mowing, excess rubbish removal and basic maintenance and prevent indigenous families from being evicted into homelessness. Funds provided $8,001

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    Community, Country & A Safe Place To Call Home

    On the 10th anniversary of the National Apology to Stolen Generations, we supported the Larrakia Nations housing outreach support. This service comprises a range of programs aimed at improving community safety, wellbeing and overcoming social exclusion, with a focus on Aboriginal homeless people and visitors to Darwin, including Youth Patrol, Night Patrol and Health and Assistance in Long-grass (HEAL). Funds provided $7,675

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    Older Persons Homelessness

    On any given night almost 15,000 people aged 55 and over experience homelessness. This month StreetFunders supported address this growing crisis funding two important initiatives. WAGEC will provide support when women move from crisis to permanent housing and HAAG will support older women to advocate for better services The impact of low income and rising living costs leaves many older Australians spending more than half of their income on rent, and many struggling to maintain or find an affordable tenancy.  Total Funds provided $18,842

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    Christmas Cheers

    Christmas is a lonely and stressful time for many people, especially if you don’t have a safe place to call home. This month StreetFunders supported 5 organisations meet the extra costs of helping people at this difficult time. Christmas dinners were provided, food services kept going over the holidays, the doors stayed open to help people in crisis, and young kids had activities to keep them busy over the holidays. Heart and Soul (SA), KoolKuna DV Refuge (WA), SANDBAG (QLD), StreetHearts (NSW) and Veritas House (NSW). Total Funds provided $7,710

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    Anchor Housing

    StreetFunders helped address the growing and real, but often hidden, crisis of homelessness in the outer suburbs, reinstating an emergency relief fund at Anchor Housing to meet essential and critical needs. Funds provided $9,392

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    Youth Homeless Services

    StreetFunders SEED-FUNDED an innovative project in the Geelong and Barwon Region aimed at helping young people. The project was set up by a coalition of specialist youth homeless services; Barwon & South West Homelessness Network, after they idenified a gap in funding to support young people with eductaion and employment support. Funds provided $9,745

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    Soccer Program

    In August StreetFunder support went directly to Player Support and Transition at The Big Issue StreetSoccer Program, helping in very practical ways to support the player group and weekly members who are looking to take the next step. Funds provided $9,178

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    Wollongong Homeless Hub

    StreetFunders refurbished the Wollongong Homeless Hub outreach truck. The van heads out into the local area doing important rounds to areas without local support services - supplying clothing, basic supplies, hygiene packs, tents, swags and important connection to services and advice. Funds provided $7,333

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    Action Against Hunger

    The 2017 End of Financial Year camapign saw StreetFunders support the important work of three organisations CareVan, The Adelaide Day Centre Soup Van and St Mary’s House of Welcome. The focus of the support was food security, funding each organisation's food programs. Total Funds provided $27,600

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    The Nest Program

    StreetFunders supported Youth Futures 'NEST' program, helping vulnerable young parent’s and their babies with accommodation and long term support. It is vital that these young people are assisted and helped at this point of crisis. Funds provided $6,655

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    500 Lives 500 Homes

    We believe everyone has the right to a place to call home and this month StreetFunders helped a number of families transition from homelessness into housing successfully, helping them create a safe and secure place to call home. Housing first is a successful model for ending homelessness so check out 500 Lives 500 Homes. Funds provided $4,969

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    Footpath Library

    The Footpath Library hits the streets of Sydney to provide conversations, friendship, connect and books to people experiencing homelessness. They are a small dedicated team and this month StreetFunders helped fund the operations resulting in the distribution of around 3,000 books www.footpathlibrary.org. Funds provided $2,330

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    Women’s Community Shelters

    Domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness and many young kids are caught up in the trauma. StreetFunders supported WCS families with back to school fund split between their Great Lakes (Regional NSW) and Sanctuary (NW Sydney) shelters. Funds provided $2,201

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    Emerge Women & Children’s Support Network

    Domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness and many young kids are caught up in the trauma. StreetFunders supported Emerge to support families with their Back to School costs which are hard to meet when you have left everything behind to flee violence. Check them out here Funds provided $4,497

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    Hawkesbury’s Helping Hands

    StreetFunders helped the volunteer team at HHH to provide Christmas Dinner & important outreach services over the holiday period when other services in the area are closed. Check them out here Funds provided $1,765

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    Orange Sky

    Orange Sky provides free laundry and shower services across Australia. StreetFunders helped cover the on-road costs of their new shower van which was on trial in Brisbane where it proved a winner with more vans hitting the road in 2017. Check them out here Funds provided $1,636

Corporate and Workplace Giving

Huge thanks to the following organisations who have supported through corporate and workplace giving.

“Our business has been supporting StreetSmart through workplace giving since 2015. Each month our team helps fund a new project and we get immediate feedback on how the money has been spent. We are really proud to be a part of such an important initiative, and our staff are too,”   Justine Butler, ASIC in the Community Manager

Hidden Secrets Tours
ASIC
Prior Strata
Royals
Flatmate

Contact us if you would like to choose StreetSmart as the charity of choice for workplace giving.

Frequently Asked Questions

To Donate by Direct Bank Transfer:

Please send us an email of your donation, including donation amount, date, and donor name. We will send a tax deductible receipt to you.

Account name: StreetSmart Australia
Bank: NAB
BSB: 083-004
Acc Number: 17243-2803

Donations made to StreetSmart Australia over $2 are tax deductible. StreetSmart Australia (ABN: 51 106 387 446) is endorsed by the Australian Tax Office as a deductible gift recipient under the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997. StreetSmart Australia is registered with the Australian Charities and Not for profit Commission (ACNC).

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