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.
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.
Too many children are starting the new year living in tents, caravans, motel rooms, and cars as our homelessness crisis deepens. We are on a mission to raise vital funds and awareness to provide essential services such as trauma informed therapy, back to school educational needs, and provide safe accommodation.
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.
Across Australia during Homelessness Week, 717 cafes, 44 roasters, and countless communities were coming together over their favourite brew to take action against homelessness. This incredible collective effort in August has helped us distribute a total of $147,585 across 133 frontline organisations that are supporting our most vulnerable. Such a vital, local impact across so many regions in Australia is a testament to the enthusiasm and support of the roasters, cafes, sponsors, and of course, coffee lovers involved.
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.
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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.
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