Rough sleeping is dangerous, traumatic, and often life-threatening. In July and August, the StreetSmart community focused on raising funds and awareness to support people sleeping rough, funding programs that care for their immediate needs and help to end their experience of homelessness.
Our Winter Appeal, throughout May and June, was launched to respond to the rising numbers of people experiencing homelessness who are facing dangerous and difficult living conditions Thanks to our donor community, along with corporate and philanthropic supporters who took part, our collective efforts have resulted in $236,250 in grants to provide warm food, clothing, material aid, and housing support. Additionally, $313,984 in SleepSafe kits were distributed through our partnership with Sheridan to those facing homelessness and housing insecurity.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Being without a home makes it hard to build a stable, healthy life and find a job. We know that people leaving prison are at a very high risk of homelessness, and to break the cycle, people leaving prison need pre-release and post-release support. That’s why we funded 10 organisations across metro and regional areas to support a range of pre/post release support programs and responses.
Working closely with corporate partners has enabled 9 grants totalling $41,750 to fund homelessness responses and housing outcomes across Australia. Thanks to these partnerships, 31 households are being supported to exit out of homelessness into safe and sustainable homes, and 170 people facing and experiencing homelessness are gaining access to immediate and ongoing support.
The rising demand and falling funding for ‘on the ground’ and small community organisations is a perfect storm that is limiting the ability of these vital programs to remain open for people in need. Our generous donors and dedicated monthly supporters throughout October along with a philanthropic partnership have delivered crucial funding to 19 organisations across Australia. This $89,150 is filling funding gaps for these organisations to empower communities to better respond to and prevent homelessness in ways that work for them.
Our work does not happen in a vacuum, and it is through the commitment and generosity of businesses, organisations, and individuals that we are able to take meaningful action against homelessness. As 2023 draws to a close we are celebrating the powerful partnerships with corporates, businesses, and organisations that have allowed us to respond to the growing need in communities.
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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