Sleeping rough on the streets, in cars or tents is increasingly the only option left for thousands of people in Australia. Families are sleeping in cold, damp tents and people are spending years living on streets. This type of homelessness is dangerous, traumatic, and often life-threatening. But it is also solvable.
Who are we helping this winter? What are the daily challenges faced by the thousands of people living in tents, swags, or on couches? How does your donation make a difference? Read the stories of those facing homelessness this winter.
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.
Throughout December, diners made a difference with their end of year meals and festive feasts. Collectively, restaurants and diners have generated $148,900 for grassroots homelessness services. At a time when demand for housing is so high, rates of rough sleeping continue to climb, and frontline workers are overstretched, this funding will bring immediate relief.
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.
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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