Winter Warmer - Homelessness Relief - Australia

Winter Warmer Homelessness Relief Campaign: Progress Update (September 2024)

Our second annual fundraising campaign has now raised a total of a total of $61,707 for homelessness relief. 

The Winter Warmer Homelessness Relief Campaign has made significant strides in supporting those experiencing homelessness and social iIn this update, we highlight the impactful work being done at Nullum House – Murwillumbah Community Centre, Fletcher Street Cottage – Byron Bay, and Fred’s Place - Tweed Heads and Pottsville Beach Neighbourhood Centre (PBNC).  Thanks to the generous contributions of Dharma Care donors.

Murwillumbah Community Centre - Nullum House Homelessness HUB
Dharma Care's ongoing support has been crucial for Nullum House, a vital hub offering services such as free community meals, shower and laundry facilities, material aid, and social programs. Over the past financial year, Nullum House provided 2,404 instances of support to those in need. The funds from Dharma Care have enabled the continuation and expansion of these services, including the successful Homelessness Week event and the ongoing meals program. The impact of these efforts is evident in the inceased numbers served, with over 4,000 meals and beverages provided this year alone. However, as winter deepens, the demand for warm clothing, camping resources, and connection grows, underscoring the critical need for continued support.

Fletcher Street Cottage
Fletcher Street Cottage in Byron Bay has also been a focal point of the Winter Warmer campaign. Dharma Care’s Winter Warmer donation has directly assisted 138 individuals through their Emergency Relief program, offering food vouchers, fuel expenses, phone credits, and medical cost coverage. With a 600% increase in demand for emergency relief since 2022, Fletcher Street Cottage is now developing a dedicated Women’s Emergency Relief Program to address the unique needs of women fleeing domestic violence. The growing demand for these services highlights the urgent need for continued financial support to sustain these essential programs.

Pottsville Beach Neighbourhood Centre (PBNC)

At PBNC, Dharma Care’s contributions have bolstered the Assisted Referral and Material Aid (ARMA) service, providing critical support to over 100 individuals and families facing financial distress and homelessness. The funds have been used to distribute Winter Warmer Packs, fuel and grocery cards, and other essential items, ensuring that those in need have access to the basics required for survival. Through real-life stories of those helped by PBNC we see the profound impact of these services on individual’s lives.

Fred’s Place - Tweed Heads - Vinnies Australia

Fred's continues to provide essential support to those in need, serving up to 130 meals daily, including takeaways, and distributing up to 50 food hampers, 50 frozen meals, and hygiene products to 50 people each day. Additionally, washing powder is supplied to up to 25 individuals using laundry facilities.

To further assist their clients, Fred's has distributed $1,000 worth of $50 Coles gift cards and plans to purchase another $1,000 worth for emergencies. They have also acquired six prepaid Optus mobiles for individuals experiencing homelessness, ensuring they can be contacted for housing and mental health support.   Fred's recently paid for two nights of accommodation for a couple whose campsite was flooded by heavy rains, keeping them dry during the storm. In another instance, Fred's helped a client avoid eviction due to hoarding by arranging for a skip to remove the accumulated items, in collaboration with housing services.

Looking ahead, Fred's plans to host a pamper afternoon for those experiencing homelessness, offering massages, facials, and women's care packs to help them feel better about themselves.

Ongoing and Emerging Needs

As winter progresses, the need for warm clothing, shelter, and social support remains high.

The challenges faced by our community members are complex and multifaceted, ranging from housing instability to mental health struggles.

With the support of Dharma Care and other donors, we are committed to continuing our efforts to provide the necessary resources and support to those most in need.

Dharma Care’s Winter Warmer campaign has already made a significant difference in the lives of many, but the journey continues. Your ongoing support is vital in helping us meet the growing demand and ensure that no one is left behind in these challenging times.

WINTER WARMER PROGRESS REPORT

AUGUST 2024

Dharma Care’s Winter Warmer is our main donor for the Nullum House Homelessness HUB.

This service provides a safe and nurturing space for members of the community who may be facing social isolation, homelessness, mental health issues or social and economic disadvantage, if not all of them at once.

Nullum House services include, free community meals, shower and washing facilities, material aid, social programs and support groups. All of our activities are run with community donations and our staff are all volunteers.

Nullum House opens on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9am to 12pm.

In the 2023-2024 financial year, we provided 2404 occasions of support and assistance to people attending Nullum House. This included our meals program and accessing showers, laundry facilities and material aid. Rough sleepers and people at risk of homelessness were referred to local outreach services as well as internally through our emergency relief and welfare support to link them to Specialist Homelessness Services, health and DFV services.

Nullum House Statistics FY 2023-2024

Dharma Care funding has been supporting the following services and activities:

• Weekly meals program.
• Material aid including tents, cooking items, blankets, bedding, camping items, clothing and emergency needs.
• Homelessness Week event to raise awareness and provide services and essential items to rough sleepers.
• Nullum House Christmas Event and lunch.
• Volunteer training and support.

Meals

4056 (up from 3599 in 2022-23)

Tea & Coffee

4160 (up from 3841 in 2022-23)

Showers

607

Washing loads

367

Homelessness Week 2024

ONGOING & EMERGING NEEDS

In the winter months, we see an increase in the number of people accessing our services in search of warmer clothes, camping resources and wanting to connect with others.

There are still many people who are experiencing homelessness that are unseen. These can be people sleeping in their cars, couch surfing at friends or family members' homes, or coming in and out of temporary accommodation at motels.

The needs go beyond having a roof over their heads. We are seeing an increase in mental health issues and health decline in rough sleepers and those in unstable housing situations that directly affect their behaviours and their ability to connect with others and look after themselves. This increases the risks to becoming chronically disengaged and isolated making them more susceptible to drug and alcohol misuse and mental health deterioration.

A PERSONAL STORY

J and M have been long term Murwillumbah residents. They are a young couple with two little children (2 and 3 years old) and a teenager. They were recently evicted from their rental home and came to our service for support with a food hamper. They work part time but became homeless because of the increase in cost of living and private rental costs. J and M weren’t able to secure affordable housing before they were evicted and had to couch surf before eventually ending up sleeping in their car.

We supported them with food, a tent, camping mattresses, blankets and bedding, cooking items and access to our shower and washing facilities. We also provided personal support and linked them to specialist support services to find suitable accommodation.

They finally found a place to live across the border and are still working with us to get furniture and necessities for their new home.

J has given us very positive feedback about the work we have done in supporting them and their family in this difficult situation. Not only with material support but with care, kindness and professionalism. Thank you to Dharma Care for helping us to help this family.

Winter Warmer Impact Update at Fletcher Street Cottage

Fletcher Street Cottage is one of four charity partners for the Dharma Care Winter Warmer appeal supporting those experiencing homelessness.

We are so pleased to be able to support Fletcher Street Cottage in their efforts providing essential services in Byron Bay to those in crisis through their team of dedicated volunteers and staff.

Since July 2024, Fletcher Street Cottage have spent $3,653 of Dharma Care’s donation to directly assist 138 people in crisis through their Emergency Relief program. This program is part of a broader suite of services offered by Fletcher Street Cottage, managed by our Community Support Workers. These workers provide personalised assistance and connect individuals to a range of resources and wrap-around support services, such as specialist housing services, legal assistance, mental health support, and drug and alcohol counselling, GPs, and more.

Here’s how the funds have been allocated:

• 104 Food Vouchers: These vouchers have provided essential groceries, ensuring individuals and families do not go hungry during times of crisis.
• 10 Fuel Expenses/Bus Tickets: This support has helped cover the cost of fuel for vehicles or purchase bus tickets, enabling people to attend critical appointments, access employment, get their kids to school, visit family, and reach other necessary services.
• 30 Phone Credits: By covering phone credit costs, this assistance has allowed individuals to stay connected with their support networks, access services, and manage personal affairs during this period of instability.
• 8 Medical/Prescription Costs: This funding has covered vital medical and prescription expenses, ensuring individuals do not have to forgo necessary health care due to financial constraints.

Context and Future Needs

Fletcher Street Cottage is operating under immense pressure as they face an unprecedented increase in demand for their services. The convergence of recent natural disasters, the ongoing pandemic, soaring living costs, and a severe housing crisis has created a perfect storm of challenges for our community. Since 2022, they have seen a staggering 600% increase in demand for emergency relief, with their annual expenditure rising from $5,000 to $35,000. This high level of demand has continued unabated over the past two years, while funding for the program has not. This persistent gap underscores the critical need for ongoing support, which is why they chose to allocate Dharma Care’s donation directly to this Emergency Relief Program. 

Women, in particular, face dire situations, with domestic violence being the leading cause of homelessness among women in Australia. At Fletcher Street Cottage, they have seen a 72% increase in women seeking their help, rising from 93 visits in January to 160 in July. This rise highlights the urgent need for immediate and targeted support.

In response, they are developing a dedicated Women’s Emergency Relief (ER) Program. This program aims to offer a broader range of support tailored specifically to women in danger. It will provide more flexible and immediate assistance, including transport to safety amongst other services. This initiative is designed to address the unique and urgent needs of women fleeing dangerous situations and ensure they receive adequate support during their crisis. They are currently working to secure sufficient funding to launch and sustain this program.

Looking ahead, the need for continued support remains crucial. As the demand for all of their support services continues to grow, the role of donors and foundations like Dharma Care becomes even more vital. Dharma Care’s ongoing contribution helps provide Fletcher Street Cottage with essential aid and maintain the stability and relief that our community desperately needs.

Fletcher Street Cottage Impact Stories

Breaking Free: A Survivor's Journey from Domestic Violence to Renewed Hope

“There are no words to describe how much Fletcher Street Cottage has helped me. You fed me when I didn’t have any money to buy food. You dressed me after my clothes were destroyed by my boyfriend. He was bullying me mentally and physically, and kicked me out of the house with nothing in the middle of the night.

I didn’t have any money for medicine or a doctor. You helped me get medical care through the GP at the cottage and to get access to medication.

You offered a hot shower, tea and coffee, and an excellent breakfast. The cottage is a place where I can wash and dry my clothes. But above all, you provide mental health support from good people. The staff helped me to feel that this is just a short moment in my life, that it will pass and I am not alone in this.

I can truly say that Fletcher Street Cottage saved my life, because the whole team gave me support when I felt the worst in my life and I was very vulnerable. You helped me find temporary accommodation and showed me that my life is important.

You helped me to think about my future, and realise that everything will be fine, and that I will be able to go back to my home and have a better life eventually, because I am stronger now after this experience.”

From Despair to Stability: How Fletcher Street Cottage Helped Me Rebuild My Life

“I first heard about Fletcher Street Cottage about 18 months ago when I was at my lowest point. I had just had a marriage breakup and lost everything in the flood. I felt suicidal and I didn’t want to talk to anyone.

I was couch surfing and staying with friends, but I didn’t have anywhere permanent to live. I wanted to stay in Byron because that’s where my son goes to school and I see him for visits on the weekends. I couldn’t find a place to live because rentals all disappeared as soon as they were advertised.

At the cottage, I went to see the doctor and got some health issues addressed. I also got onto antidepressant medication for my depression, and that made a huge difference. I straightened out some legal issues that had been hanging over my head by talking with the Legal Aid team who come to the cottage.

With all of that sorted out, I was finally able to get a new job and now I’m house sharing with a friend and seeing my son every weekend.

The staff at Fletcher Street Cottage were really encouraging throughout the whole time, even when I lost hope some days. I have so much respect for you and what you do, and really appreciate the time you took with me to make a difference in my life.”

A Safe Haven: How Fletcher Street Cottage Transformed My Life with Kindness

“Without your genuine, loving kindness and generous hospitality, I would be a mess.

The staff and the cottage are not punitive or intolerant. You are real people who don’t put yourselves above people like me who use the cottage. That means that we can talk about difficult topics without feeling judged.

Besides the amazing breakfasts, you have supported me to buy my own tent and feel safe. You have provided me with a place to shower and wash my clothes. Above all, you have given me a space that helps me not to feel so lonely.

I can use the internet and the staff have helped me with getting documents. Now that I have my new ID, I can look for work and hopefully find a home.

Fletcher Street Cottage is a space out of the rain. It is a place to talk with people. Most of all, it is knowing I am not alone. I love being able to come to the cottage every day and be welcomed by people who care about me, even when it’s not easy being homeless.”

Impact Story: Impact Stories are kept anonymous to protect the privacy of service users at Fletcher Street Cottage.

Information: www.fletcherstreetcottage.com.au

Winter Warmer Update – Pottsville Beach Neighbourhood Centre (PBNC)

Dharma Care’s financial support through funds raised at the Winter Warmer Homelessness Relief Fundraising Campaign 2024 provided a welcome boost to PBNC’s Assisted Referral and Material Aid service (ARMA).

People who are experiencing financial distress and other life challenges, are able to access material aid and referral to specialist services through PBNC’s ARMA service. The top reason for people to seek PBNC’s assistance - is financial hardship. The majority of people, of all ages, stages and backgrounds, who we see are those who are without a home or at risk of homelessness. They present with needing help with basic necessities (food for themselves, family members and pets) and in managing increasing costs of living, on top of their already existing financial pressure (i.e. maintaining medication, increasing rent or mortgages and being at risk of default and therefore at risk of homelessness).

Thanks to support from Dharma Care,PBNC has continued to provide material aid to more than 100 individuals and families since the wonderful Winter Warmer Homelessness Relief event in July.

We have provided Winter Warmer Packs consisting of a tent, a cold weather-rated sleeping bag and large backpack, supplied with a toiletry pack, easy to carry food parcels, and pet food/items if needed. We have assisted people with fuel cards, grocery cards, Dignity Bags for people fleeing Family and Domestic Violence, toiletries and self-care packs, frozen meals, non-perishable pantry items, blankets, warm winter clothes (including waterproof jackets, warm Oodies (all in ones), hand knitted socks, beanies and scarves (made by volunteers), clothes, nappies and other baby items, furniture, white goods, pet food and other pet items. In the last financial year 2023-24, PBNC assisted individuals and families with material aid to the value of over $100,000.

Additionally: PBNC has provided support through training frontline workers in, and the distribution of, a Budgeting Made Easy kit. This tool has been developed to help people manage their finances in a practical way that is empowering for users. It provides resources and information for people requiring more specialised help, with workers directly referring to a Financial Counsellor working out of our neighbourhood centre.

Good News Stories

*Patrick

A single dad came into PBNC to access ARMA as he was experiencing financial hardship.  Patrick was struggling on his Centrelink payment and had an unexpectedly large electricity bill arrive a few days earlier. He was visibly upset and said he could not see a way through. Patrick was just managing to cover rent, which had recently increased again, but with the arrival of this bill would be unable to pay it. He was deeply distressed about being at-risk-of-homelessness as he had moved multiple times in the last few years, including a stint living in his car with his children. Patrick hadn’t eaten for several days because he had been making sure his children were able to eat. There was only provision for one meal left in their supplies, until the children too had nothing to eat.

We provided a hot meal for Patrick and then organised an EAPA appointment to cover most of the overdue electricity bill. As he said he was feeling isolated and his mental health was being impacted, we were also able to refer him to our Child, Youth and Family Support Service. We supplied food (including pantry and frozen meals to take home) for him and his children, and gave him nappies and wipes, toiletries and petfood. Petrol and grocery cards were provided so that he could get to work and stock his kitchen. After he finished the meal and a chat, he said he felt much better because of the EAPA appointment and the material aid that was supplied, he said he felt like he could cope now. He remarked how wonderful it was that Art and Play, and Toddler Tunes and Stories were free and that he would bring his children along. Patrick now attends the groups each week with his children and is doing better.

*Jeanette and Chris

PBNC has been supporting this older couple since they first came thought the doors after the 2022 flood disasters. Having survived the floods, they were left with a home that was uninhabitable. Then, as Jeanette says, “the real battle began” as the couple were left waiting for an outcome about their housing which took nearly two years. PBNC has been able to assist them with emergency relief by providing pantry items, frozen meals and pet food as well as providing grocery cards. Being at-risk-of-homelessness was especially hard on this couple, who began to experience serious health problems. With costs increasing dramatically this year, they were left with no means to buy medication or pay for fuel to get to important medical appointments. Jeanette and Chris could not afford heating this year and became very ill, requiring hospitalisation. PBNC was able to assist them to recover by providing emergency relief and support from PBNC’s Recovery Support Service workers. PBNC supplied the couple with fuel vouchers so they could attend medical appointments, and they are on their way to recovery now.  Both say they felt very supported and cared about by PBNC. They have finally received a buy-back offer and are looking forward to being able to relocate away from the area. 

*Smitty

Smitty has been moving through the area, rough sleeping for several years. He spent a fair bit of time in our vicinity last year, struggling in the grip of addiction. He sleeps rough in the dunes and spends his time with his faithful companion animal. Smitty is usually polite and well-mannered to everyone around him but he has his bad days, when it all gets too much and he just needs to talk to someone who knows who he is. Or he gets too cold to sleep, flooded out of a tent, his belongings get stolen or hasn’t eaten for a few days. That is what the neighbourhood centre is for – support for many of the single homeless men who are living a transient life - a place where someone knows your name. Some get work for a while, find temporary housing or a couch with friends for a bit, move away and try again but there is usually a barrier, something that happens, and they are back on the street with nothing. Smitty says he feels “safe” here at the neighbourhood centre, that people here know him and will “give him the time of day” and lift his mood.  

Vanya

Vanya has two young children whom she adores, who were the impetus for her to leave her husband after years of abuse. Having come to Australia with English as an additional language, Vanya had no friends or family here when she met her future husband. She said, “He was very good to me” and she fell in love fast. They had a child but she had to go straight home from the hospital after birth, she was not even allowed to have a rest. Vanya had to tell him her whereabouts and often felt like she was being watched.  Her husband became increasingly jealous when she spent time with their, by then, two children and became instantly suspicious if she spoke to anyone else but him. She found herself more and more isolated in the marriage. She had no access to their bank accounts or details about the ownership of their house.  He had told her at the time he would show her how things worked in Australia but always said, “it would be a waste of time as you wouldn’t understand any of it anyway”. He started monitoring her phone usage, discouraging the only contact with her family overseas, while he would call her up to 40 times a day to see where she was and who she was with.

Vanya came into the neighbourhood centre one day asking to talk to someone because she was told that the neighbourhood centre helps people. PBNC was able to support her by offering warm referrals to appropriate legal services, by assisting her in our Agent and Access Point (formerly Centrelink) to access a relevant accelerated payment, assisting with her Victims Services application and referral to a specialist domestic violence counsellor. During this time Vanya brought her children with her and engaged with PBNC’s Child, Youth and Family Service and with every visit, Vanya was supplied with material aid in the form of food and fuel support. Together, PBNC services were able to support her transition to other more specialised services for housing and mental health.

* Names have been changed for confidentiality reasons.

We couldn’t supply meet the demand for all the material aid requests if we didn’t have Dharma Care’s support. Thank you for helping us make a real difference in the lives of the people we see.

Freds Place – Vinnies Australia

• Fred's continue to provide up to 130 meals a day (including takeaway), up to 50 food hampers a day including tea, coffee, sugar and milk, up to 50 frozen meals a day, hygiene products for up to 50 people a day and washing powder etc for up to 25 people using machines and dryers.
  
  
• $ 1,000 worth of $50 Coles gift cards were purchased and already given to clients with another $1,000 worth to be purchased for emergencies.

• 6 prepaid Optus mobiles purchased for those sleeping rough and needed to be contacted for housing and MH supports.

• One couple who were sleeping rough campsite was washed out with recent huge rain-two night’s accommodation was paid to keep them dry whilst the rain passed.

• One client who was about to be evicted due to his hoarding "junk" needed a skip to move the rubbish so he could keep tenancy.  In conjunction with housing, this was organised with DC funds.

• A Pamper Afternoon will be organised for those sleeping rough to make them feel good about themselves, which will included massages, facials and women’s packs to take home.

• A train ticket was paid for a lady escaping DV to flee from area and another bus ticket was paid for a man to attend rehab in Sydney.

Stories of Support

Family fed, clothed and helped with finding a home

A family of seven Mum, Dad and five children presented to Fred’s Place following referral from a local service for housing. Unfortunately, Freds is a crises hub and cannot assist with housing.  The family had driven up from Victoria to be around family supports following a house fire and losing all their belongings.

Due to so many people in the family, temporary accommodation was difficult to get into.

The children did not have many clothes- with Kmart gift cards purchased with Dharma Care funds mum was able to get the children some clothes, pjs and shoes.  The family was also provided Coles gift cards also purchased with Dharma Care funds for food for a couple days until they got paid.

Two of the children had significant physical disabilities and health issues so Freds linked them into a local housing provider who was able to get them into a caravan park temporarily. Freds supplied some sleeping bags and other linen purchased from Dharma Care funds.

The family were very grateful for the support and the chance to attend Fred's for breakfast and food for their children.

Fleeing domestic violence

A heavily pregnant young woman aged 27 years presented to Freds Place following a referral from another person who accesses the hub.  This person had escaped her home due to domestic violence.  Young woman had relocated from Ipswich to the area and was put in Temporary Accommodation until 11 September however, due to having a baby in two days had no physical or emotional support, babies’ items, car seat due to fleeing violence.

Unfortunately, The Baby Give Back Service could not provide any larger baby items only a newborn starter kit.  Freds Place workers made some phone calls to local baby services for a car seat and were successful in getting a baby capsule from Baby Bunting along with free installation and a free baby monitor, bouncer and second-hand pram with money raised from Dharma Care’s Winter Warmer event.

PWA provided the following appreciation statement.

“I would just like to say thank you so much to Fred's place for the assistance and all the help with my baby considering they just met me they heard my story and helped above and beyond to make sure me and my bub are safe and I could not be more thankful/appreciative right now for everything.  

They have helped my stress levels amazingly and I would be stuffed without their assistance!   Forever grateful from me and my bub.”

Links:

• Winter Warmer Update

• Global_Giving_Report___Winter_Warmer_Homelessness_Relief_Campaign_Update_Report_Summary.pdf (PDF)