SPRING 2022
In this issue Meet Mary who accessed our No Interest Loans service to buy a very important essential household item. In addition, see how your donations are making a difference in Dubbo, Wagga Wagga and Warilla.
hopestreet.org.au
Thanks from Charles
740 meals
provided to children in Warilla
Welcome to the brand new look and feel of our BaptistCare Hope Newsletter. As we walk alongside people, families and communities, our donors are vital partners of HopeStreet. Thank you, we couldn’t do it without you.
Eight-year-old Daniel* from Warilla, and up to 70 other children, like Daniel*, regularly visit our Warilla North Breakfast Program in the Illawarra, three times a week. HopeStreet Warilla’s Early Intervention Coordinator, Tina Cox, who organises the program said it was an important part of the community.
Every day our HopeStreet staff and volunteers support families living in poverty, women and children escaping violence, people who need support with affordable food, or fair finance to replace a fridge, and many others who have found themselves in crisis.
“Sometimes the food we provide is the only meal these children receive for that day. With high unemployment and increasing cost of living, there is a real need in our community. Last month we were able to provide over 740 meals.”
In this edition, we share how the crippling state of our economy is affecting families, and how the funds you have donated are delivering hope to people. I trust you will feel encouraged as you read about how HopeStreet is connecting with communities, and will see the very real part you play in making a difference.
One of the inspiring things about the popular program is the sense of community. “It’s a great way for children to sit together, socialise and have a meal, and not feel like they are the only ones who need this service.” Currently, the program provides toast, cereal, muesli bars, milk and juice, but with each and every donation, the service is moving towards providing yoghurt, fresh fruit and other alternatives as well.
Thank you again for all you give and for your valued partnership.
Charles
To provide more meals to children in need, visit baptistcare.org.au/donate
provide
18,541
In May & June 2022,
you helped:
meals
That’s
1 meal every
5
5,675 food parcels
minutes
provide services for
support
3,725 people
4,413
people
shop for food
sleeping rough
13,760
distribute
Community centre clients
over
200 people every day
573 clients over the phone
The convenience of
fair finance
Mary was using her car to travel to the laundromat, spending up to two hours waiting for the wash cycle to finish, then returning home to fill her house with wet clothes to dry. Finding herself without essential home appliances, the Central Coast resident needed financial assistance fast. With the help of BaptistCare HopeStreet’s No Interest Loan Scheme (NILs) she was able to obtain a new fridge and washing machine, having the convenience of white goods that so many Australians take for granted. “I had a washing machine and it died. I was going to the laundromat, and it was actually getting very expensive and time consuming. NILs saved my time and energy,” Mary explained. The laundromat was too far to walk. Carrying wet clothes that distance was a struggle. While Mary says living without a washing machine is possible it’s also ‘difficult and awkward’ especially as she ages. Before Mary’s washing machine blew up, she’d relied on three other no-interest loans to help her with living expenses. They helped pay for car maintenance and home furnishings when moving into her own place when her son – who’s apartment she was housesitting - returned from deployment overseas. Repayments on fair finance loans can be made over a 24 month period with no interest or fees for low income earners. There’s also an opportunity to draw down on the loan after six months.
Monopoly Game raises over $10k To celebrate turning 25, Wagga Wagga Marketplace played a life-size board game of Monopoly that saw local community members make donations to BaptistCare HopeStreet when they landed on ‘Community Chest’. In addition to community members making donations, Wagga Wagga Marketplace made a generous donation of $10,000. Wagga Wagga Marketplace Community Marketing Manager, LaNiece Dillon, said they were proud to “contribute to BaptistCare HopeStreet’s ongoing efforts to assist members of our very own hometown community.”
“BaptistCare was able to help me when I needed a NILs for a fridge and a sofa bed. Because my six months was up, I got an extra top up to get the washing machine.” Mary says no-interest loans are ‘wonderfully helpful,’ especially as things can come up unexpectedly. And the repayments are straightforward. “It just comes out of my Centrelink money. Other loans can be so expensive!” “It was an easy process...I just filled out all the forms and got them back to Lauren, my NILs coordinator, and it just went ahead which is lovely. She was so helpful,” said Mary. As soaring living costs continue to affect the lives of everyday Australians, we’re seeing more and more people needing affordable and flexible finance options.
Find out more about how you’re helping make a difference today at
baptistcare.org.au/hopestreet
Food trailer finds home in Dubbo Members of the Dubbo community and surrounding regions now have increased access to food and a place to socialise thanks to the purchase of a new $19,000 barbecue trailer, granted by the NSW Government Community Building Partnerships program. BaptistCare HopeStreet Manager, Kristine Holland, said the service will provide a weekly Monday breakfast to support people who are living with homelessness, or sleeping rough. “Community members have told us they appreciate starting their week off with a good breakfast, like a bacon and egg roll and warm coffee and a chat. We then offer support, referrals and guidance when needed.” HopeStreet Dubbo will also partner with other local organisations to support their events and connect with other community members.
Fay Bennett from Baulkham Hills has supported BaptistCare (previously known as Baptist Homes Trust) since she was a child. Fay was also one of HopeStreet’s very first donors, and opens up to us on her fundraising legacy and journey. What’s the earliest memory you have of getting involved with a charity? It was right from when I was very young because my parents were involved in denominational activities with the Baptist Church. Back then it was called Homes Trust. I remember giving a tenth of my pocket money - a shilling, which is about ten cents that was set aside and went towards the church. Do you have a personal connection with BaptistCare HopeStreet? I’ve always been aware of how fortunate we were to be living in Australia. I’m conscious there are those who are so less fortunate than we are and it’s not always from
SUPPORTER SNAPSHOT
their own making. Through HopeStreet, individuals and families in need receive help all in the one place, and it’s not just physical help either, it’s the spiritual side too and looking after the “whole” person. What are the HopeStreet causes you love to support? Homelessness. When I was able to get into the City, I was always heartbroken to see fellows lying underneath the station. I also think the programs that provide meals for people is very important and also the chaplains who are simply there for those who need them. What is a message you’d like to share with others about fundraising? It is our responsibility to think about others, and even though you might not be able to donate a lot, every small amount adds up.
Thank you, Fay, for being a super supporter over the years!
We need your help. “We’re just a little family struggling during this time…” We’re witnessing the desperation and pressure families and individuals are experiencing due to the increased cost of living. People are seeking food support or going hungry.
hopestreet.org.au/donate
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