Hope Newsletter Autumn 2022

Understanding Homelessness is the first step to ending it David Gibson, Manager, and Tory Barton, Caseworker, say the key findings in the latest research Ending homelessness in Australia: An evidence and policy deep dive is an accurate reflection of what they see daily at HopeStreet Windale.

Presenting evidence from the largest community-based database on rough sleeping and homelessness in Australia, the report highlights the direct need for not only rapid housing but the long-term care for those facing health and social needs.

Identifying the prevalence of serious medical issues and mental health conditions are significantly higher in people experiencing homelessness. It also found high rates of serious brain injury or head trauma, particularly among veterans.

Our HopeStreet teams come alongside people who face complex needs with their mental and physical health, or are rebuilding their life after hopestreet.org.au

trauma and violence. Many lack access to regular services.

The report calls for collaborative efficacy between services. We're often connecting services to ensure a holistic care approach.

how to work with individuals facing these specific challenges and a multi-faceted approach is required to end homelessness. https://apo.org.au/sites/default/files/resourcefiles/2022-02/apo-nid315326.pdf

Our own success here can be attributed to BaptistCare HopeStreet’s flexible framework. We action personcentred care and identify what that looks like for someone with their unique challenges.

We walk the journey with them as opposed to allocating funding until it runs out.

FROM THE REPORT

Our team gets the ball rolling on quite a lot of NDIS cases and work with other mental health services in the Hunter region. If we weren’t switched on to this need, many people would fall through the cracks.

requests for housing went unassisted in 2019-20

It’s about providing hope with compassion and understanding.

We see people facing stigma even across the community services sector. We’d like to see more education and training on

3.8 years

average homelessness experience

40%

experienced many years of homelessness

95,300

1 out of 3

involuntary hospitalisation due to mental health issues

BaptistCare is part of the Everybody's Home campaign that seeks to solve the housing crisis and you can show your support here.

Autumn 2022

FLOOD CRISIS

An urgent appeal for our flood affected communities A humanitarian crisis is unfolding in our State as many thousands of people come to terms with losing their homes, and for some their pets, livelihoods, livestock and loved ones too.

At the time of writing, people of the Northern Rivers are in desperate need of food staples and drinking water across multiple communities, and response and recovery is not occurring quickly enough.

Chris Walters, manager of our two Community Housing sites in Lismore says there is no time to waste, and we need to be in it for the long haul.

Fortunately, our BaptistCare Garimaleh and Illowra sites were not inundated, however rapidly rising flood waters were terrifying, and heartbreak has set in as the water recedes.

“Our town looks like a warzone.

Everybody’s lives are tipped out, covered in mud on the sidewalk.

That’s what hurts. They can’t

go back into their homes as it’s not safe, and every possession they own is gone.

We have thousands residing in evacuation centres. There’s a lot of trauma,” said Chris.

“I think the people of Lismore are beautiful. We’re witnessing people doing what they can when they can. One of our tenants is washing clothing for strangers, people are cooking and sharing food, and providing service anywhere they can.”

In the CBD, the buildings aren’t structurally safe so local businesses cannot reopen.

The immediate need is for vital supplies to survive.

“We’ve sourced pet food, food hampers, toiletries, toilet paper, blankets. But people have nothing. We are sheltering a family of one housing tenant, and the mum didn’t have shoes on when they fled during the night. They sat in a boat tied to a clothesline for two hours in torrential rain, with a dog, a

“Our town looks like a warzone.

Everybody’s lives are tipped out, covered in mud on the sidewalk.

That’s what hurts. They can’t go back into their homes as it’s not safe...”

child, and a pregnant woman, before being rescued.”

“The people need your ongoing support. When you think of the extent of the damage - even white goods, crockery, cutlery – this is no quick fix.”

Help make a difference and support the emergency relief for those affected by the NSW Northern Rivers floods. Please help us reach our goal to raise $100,000 by donating today.

FUNDS NEEDED Your donation will help us to provide emergency supplies to those in need right now, including: Emergency food and meals Air transport services Accommodation costs Equipping volunteers & staff

WOMEN'S SPACES

New Women’s Space at St Marys opens doors The relocated BaptistCare Women’s Space in St Marys opened its doors in February.

The purposely renovated cottage is large and homely, beautifully furnished, with private casework offices, dining and lounge, and a big backyard.

Our Women's Spaces in Darlinghurst and St Marys exist for women facing challenges and at risk of marginalisation.

They are welcoming spaces that operate as a quiet, safe and comfortable day refuge, with showers, laundry facilities, emergency food and toiletries.

Kasia (Katarzyna) Ross, Women’s Services Manager said the new space in St Marys is everything the service needed. “It’s somewhere where we can support a woman in a way that they feel supported, valued and safe. Women are coming to feel a sense of belonging and safety.”

The energy from our dedicated team adds to the atmosphere. “They really give themselves to their community and the women we support. hopestreet.org.au

They’re here because they are passionate and it’s so rewarding for them,” said Kasia.

Every woman comes for a different reason. Some women are involved in the sex industry, others face domestic violence, or women are experiencing more complex circumstances such as homelessness, mental illness, and addiction.

“Some women come in to wash their clothes, get warm, and eat something. Others want company and a conversation, or to get referrals for other services like housing and Centrelink. Women also come access the phone or internet.”

“A woman I have been working with since September has finally found enough stability in her life that she has expressed her goals with me. These goals include starting her own business, wanting to work towards empowering other women in her community who may too have experienced domestic violence. I thought this was very special because during our latest appointment I noticed a different light shining through her. I

Some of the Women's Space team at St Marys

realised she had restored hope and excitement in her life after experiencing a lot of trauma.”

- From our caseworker.

WOMEN’S SPACE SERVICES

• health

promotion

• casework • housing • English

and counselling

support

classes

• advocacy •s ocial

activities and group programs

•W ork

Development Orders (WDO) sponsorship

•s ex

worker support

•d omestic

and family violence support

•p rograms

and support for CALD women

•c haplaincy •s hower

and laundry facilities

•d rop-in

support

•e mergency •b asic

food support

toiletries

Autumn 2022

3

We need your help to provide emergency relief for those affected by the NSW Northern Rivers floods.

PLEASE DONATE TODAY

baptistcare.org.au/flood-appeal

Our Purpose: Transforming Lives By Expressing The Love Of Christ.

Our Values: Love | Respect | Reliability | Empowerment