Hundreds of vulnerable people in our community are faced with being homeless or being at risk of being homeless every day. This week is Homelessness Week, raising awareness of people experiencing homelessness.
From couch surfing with family and friends to sleeping rough, according to G21 – Geelong Region Alliance, there are approximately 1,000 people in the Barwon Region currently experiencing homelessness with around 120 of these people sleeping rough or on our streets.
The Give Where You Live Foundation takes an innovative approach to work in partnership with a number of community organisations to address this issue facing our region. We’d like to take a moment to highlight their work as part of Homeless Person’s Week (7 – 13 Aug).
Announced on Thursday, 27 July; the Give Where You Live Foundation has distributed grants to organisations working to address this issue in our community, primarily though our Survive and Thrive grant program area which aims to contribute to the basic levels of economic security including food, shelter, pharmacy and household goods for the most vulnerable people in our community. Some of these include:
Lazarus Community Centre ($7,752) – to provide a safe place of unconditional welcome for homeless and disadvantaged people in the Geelong region that provides facilities for showering and clothes laundering, as well as improving their health and wellbeing with entertainment such as TV, games and computers.
The Outpost ($30,000) – to meet the immediate needs of those experiencing crisis circumstances including the homeless through the provision of meals and material aid.
Samaritan House ($30,000) – to address homelessness in the Geelong region for men 18 years and over by strengthening the financial independence of Samaritan House.
Uniting, formerly UnitingCare Geelong, ($30,000) – to assist members of our community who are homeless or in danger of becoming homeless by providing a case worker who will advocate for them and provide specialist expertise.