The current drivers of homelessness are affecting people differently. Regardless of the cause or type of homelessness, we are seeing demand rise across the board. As the year draws to a close we are raising awareness about the ways in which housing, rental and cost of living pressures are pushing people into homelessness and housing precarity. With so many types of support needed, we invite our community to learn more and direct their support where they choose. Funds raised will help create safe new homes with all the essentials, feed people and families going hungry and skipping meals, and care for those with furry friends who are sleeping rough or without a stable home.
Join us in collectively raising funds and awareness for small grassroots homelessness organisations to keep their doors open and their services running. They are the lifeblood of communities and the first port of call for the growing numbers of people and families facing homelessness.
This year, on the 9th of August, over 800 cafes, businesses and coffee roasters teamed up with their customers to raise just over $200,000. It was a massive community effort and by working together we are going to impact hundreds of lives. Thanks to everyone who got involved.Read More
DineSmart is all about dining out and chipping in. It brings together committed restaurant crews and committed diners, working together to help fund some of our smaller, local homeless services. Diners donating $2 per bill have helped StreetSmart raise $3.6 million to support 1147 projects Australia wide.
Last week I met up with Chin Chin Executive Chef Ben Cooper and Caroline and Jamesfrom Youth Projects in Melbourne. Last year Chin Chin were our top national fundraiser and some of those funds raised went to support the crucial work of the team at Youth Projects in Hosier Lane. They are probably just 500 metres apart. They operate in the same neighbourhood. It’s a great example of how StreetSmart not only raises vital funds, but also helps connect communities and raises the profile of smaller services and the work they do….often unnoticed. This is what Caroline wrote when reporting back on last years grant….
“Youth Projects Ltd. were the successful grant recipients of a $5000 grant to supply 20 WINTER SURVIVAL KITS for clients who attend the Living Room Primary Care Clinic in Hosier Lane, Melbourne.
The kits contain essential items that people experiencing homelessness felt they would need to survive the harsh winter temperatures and conditions. The kits contained a swag, thermal beanie, scarf, socks, gloves, undergarments and sleeping bag. Research showed that these items were considered by clients to be the most important in staying warm during the night in winter.
This winter has been extremely cold with temperatures frequently reaching zero so the kits were distributed within a matter of weeks of us receiving them. You could say they were a life saver!
Obviously no one wants to see people without a roof over their heads, sleeping rough on the streets. It’s dangerous and harsh, but currently there are few housing options for people in crisis. These kits are a practical emergency response, bringing some comfort for those with no other alternative.
Jack and Alison were a couple who presented to the Living Room Clinic within the first week of us receiving the kits. They were newly homeless due to being harassed and threatened, and presented in a distressed state with no warm clothes, bedding, food or toiletries. After a brief assessment of their situation it was established that Jack and Alison were the perfect people for a winter survival kit. They left with a kit each and were comforted by the fact that they were going to be able to stay warm and protected from the winter weather. We were able to help the couple over a number of weeks, eventually helping them return to their housing once the perpetrator had been removed and the situation had been resolved.
A huge thanks to all the restaurants, their staff and customers who make these community grants possible. You are impacting many people’s lives in a very positive way.”
So, as we enter the final weeks of 2015 DineSmart campaign I wanted to thank everyone involved. That’s all the restaurateurs who gave the nod, the front of house managers and staff who run the campaign in venue and all the donors who chip in their $2’s. Last year over 100,000 tables did just that, and helped people like Jack and Alison who, in their time of crisis, turn to the small organisations we fund and find help from people like Caroline and James.
You can DineSmart until the 31st December at participating restaurants. Check the map here:
If you’re not dining out but support our work in the community you can donate here
On August 7th, 491 cafes, 27 coffee roasters and thousands of coffee drinkers helped raise $135,612 to fund local grassroots homeless projects. For every coffee sold, cafes donated $1, coffee roasters supplied beans and customers chipped in.
Across Australia, coffee heads came together to effect change in their local communities. 100% of the funds raised by CafeSmart combined with other funds raised by StreetSmart have now been allocated through 132 Community Grants totaling $151,800. Grants target helping people who are homeless or at risk in communities where cafes have raised the funds.
Adam Robinson CEO of StreetSmart Australia said “Having over 500 small businesses involved and engaged during National Homeless Prevention Week, not only raised vital funds but also created great awareness around the issue of homelessness and what people can do to help. Yet again the coffee industry has shown how generous and community minded they are. The funding raised goes to some of our smallest, yet vital, community groups and not for profits, who have seen funding stripped out of the sector.”
DineSmart is all about dining out and chipping in. It brings together committed restaurant crews and committed diners, working together to help fund some of our smaller, local homeless services. Diners donating $2 per bill have helped StreetSmart raise $3.6 million to support 1147 projects Australia wide.
On August 7th, 491 cafes, 27 coffee roasters and thousands of coffee drinkers helped raise $135,612 to fund local grassroots homeless projects. For every coffee sold, cafes donated $1, coffee roasters supplied beans and customers chipped in.
