Vinnies food van rolls into Liverpool to assist homeless

If you need proof that the pressure of high rents and cost of living is taking a toll, then take a trip to Liverpool where, according to Vinnies, demand for its services and support has skyrocketed in recent months.

The PAYCE Foundation-donated food trailer bringing support to those struggling to survive.

Vinnies say more people are sleeping rough, are disconnected from services and require urgent care for complex health issues.

The Vinnies van rolled into Liverpool to provide food, conversation and support during Homelessness Week.

The PAYCE Foundation generously donated the fully fitted out food trailer, giving the charity the mobility to bring services where they are most needed.

The event, also sponsored by the Liverpool City Council, attracted more than 60 clients keen for great coffee and food, but also a chat and support.

“We’ve really seen the demand increase where there is not a lot of services to assist the homeless and those living rough,” Josephine Charbel, state manager of Van Services for Vinnies.

“Many of the people we see are isolated and it is a great highlight for them when the van as they call it comes to them.

“It is a highly effective way of bringing services to where they are needed most, not just food and drink, but support with wrap around services.

“It provides support, but also dignity and that’s what Vinnies is all about.”

PAYCE Foundation director Dominic Sullivan said it was pleasing to see the van delivering critical support to those struggling for the basics in life.

“We donated the van to Vinnies because they were committed to reaching out to homeless people who are doing it extremely tough, in areas not well-serviced, particularly during this long, cold winter.”

Digital tool unlocking the door to a new life

When it comes to the homeless, there is no one stop shop. It is a challenge, government, non-government agencies and charities have been grappling with for decades.

But that’s changing thanks to the End Street Sleeping Collaboration (ESCC) and Sydney Zero – a group of organisations determined to break the cycle of homelessness.

Sydney Zero is an action-orientated, collaborative project to make rough sleeping rare, brief and non-recurring in Inner Sydney.

The City of Sydney, the Department of Communities and Justice, homelessness services and philanthropists have come together to implement the Sydney Zero project.

The PAYCE Foundation is the founding philanthropic partner of the ESSC.

According to ESSC Director Dominic Sullivan, a game-changer is the ESSC digital tool, the By-Name List.

“It is a digital app, which allows frontline works to help people by recording accurately, with their permission, exactly what assistance they require,” he said.

“It is proving invaluable, as the information is critical to finding the assistance for people with complex needs.”

ESSC Director Dominic Sullivan.

The ESSC says Sarah (not her real names) is a good example of someone receiving the assistance they need.

She first came to the attention of agencies and community organisations while staying in government-funded temporary housing in Wollongong.

Sarah displayed signs of paranoia and refused to provide the sort of information needed for the temporary housing to be extended. Sarah returned to rough sleeping.

For the next nine months, Sarah was trying alone to navigate the complexities of the system whilst experiencing complex mental health and trauma.

During this period, Sarah spent more than a year sleeping on the streets or in crisis accommodation and had no connection to health services and support.

Sarah began engaging with services again in Wollongong and, for the first time, provided consent to having personal information added to the By-Name List.

Sarah was then referred to five different housing, homelessness and health services.

This identified the health support that Sarah required.

Two months later, and whilst still sleeping rough, Sarah moved from Wollongong to Sydney and presented at a homelessness service in Newtown.

Sarah’s information and history of homelessness could be identified quickly from the By-Name List.

A collaboration of services combined to provide Sarah with temporary accommodation and case management support.

Because this need was so clear from the By-Name List, Sarah was admitted to hospital for mental health treatment and was then supported by a mental health outreach program.

Once Sarah’s mental health was stabilised, the case management team supporting Sarah found that Sarah had family and her own home on the NSW north coast.

She was assisted to return home and was reconnected with her family after six months.

In all, ten services across two districts supported Sarah over a period of eight months.

Mr Sullivan said: “By having personal information on the BNL – and despite moving locations — Sarah’s support needs were provided, creating conditions for the best outcome to be identified and fulfilled for her in a timely way.”

Memorial remembers the passing of the homeless

They may not have been known, but the sad passing of those who live on the streets was not forgotten on a bitingly cold evening in Martin Place on June 21.

More than 100 people turned out for the Homeless Persons’ Memorial on the shortest day of the year – the winter solstice – to pay respect to those who have died while homeless.

Over 100 Sydneysiders at Martin Place for Memorial Service held on the Winter Solstice.

The memorial, now in its fourth year, is supported by community organisations and charities, including the PAYCE Foundation, the End Street Sleeping Collaboration, Archdiocese of Sydney’s Justice and Peace Office, Catholic Cemeteries and Crematoria, and the St Vincent de Paul Society.

“We’re here tonight to love them, to know them, and to mourn them. Maybe their names aren’t known to all of us, but we are a people of faith,” said Fr Peter Smith in his opening blessing.

“Our city will never be the great place that it can be until we all reach out to those who are struggling, who are on the margins, those who find life most difficult.”

NSW Minister for Housing Rose Jackson, who also attended the Vinnies CEO sleepout the night before, told the crowd the death of citizens to homelessness “diminishes us all and is a grief to us.”

“They may not have had a fancy funeral or a big memorial service or their name up in lights when they passed, but that doesn’t mean that they were any less significant,” she said.

“We recommit ourselves to recognising their names, recognising their stories, understanding that it isn’t a personal failure to experience homelessness.

“That is a system failure, it’s a policy failure, and those things are in our control.”

NSW Minister for Housing Rose Jackson recognises those who have passed.

‘Awareness’ critical to a better understanding of complex issue

With Sydney in the vice-like grip of freezing temperatures, the rising cost of living and rents, and a shortage of affordable housing, there is an urgent need for the community to better understand the plight of the homeless.

This was the message from PAYCE Foundation Director Dominic Sullivan as he prepared to brave the cold for this year’s Vinnies CEO Sleepout on June 20.

Dominic Sullivan says solving homelessness requires a strong community response.

“This is a perfect storm, and standing by is not an option as a community,” said Mr Sullivan, who is also co-chair of the End Street Sleeping Collaboration.

He said homelessness is a complex issue and needs to be better understood across the community.

“Awareness is critical because until we understand the nature of the problem and why we have a problem, how can we try and solve it?” he said.

“Community campaigns like this are really important, and End Street Sleeping has been trying to encourage a community response that’s collective and is going to assist governments, not-for-profits, charities, and also business leaders.”

Mr Sullivan got a glimpse of life rough sleeping as temperatures plummeted and the cold enveloped his cardboard cover at the White Bay Cruise Terminal in Rozelle.

“It was a long, uncomfortable night – and it is hard to fathom that in a modern society, this is life for a lot of people day in and day out,” he said.

Mr Sullivan raised more than $11,000 for the cause.

At events held in Sydney, Newcastle, and Wollongong, business and community leaders raised $2.5 million in sponsorship to sleep outdoors as temperatures fell to six degrees.

The funds will go to a range of services, including crisis accommodation, domestic and family violence refuges, specialist healthcare, case management, rent support, and Vinnies Vans.

This year, Vinnies’ major fundraiser raised more than $7.8 million nationally to support its work in assisting people experiencing and at risk of homelessness.

Anniversary dinner draws big crowd to help those struggling

St Merkorious Charity started out small in the kitchen of founder Paula Nicolas with a mission to feed the growing number of people going hungry.

Today, it’s feeding more than 4000 people a week from a commercial kitchen, helping kids start the day with a full stomach and delivering outreach to people who are finding it hard to make ends meet.

Inspirational St Merkorious Charity Founder Paula Nicholas addressing the crowd on the night.

It is a shining example of a good idea growing into an invaluable community service.

The remarkable growth of St Merkorious Charity was celebrated with a fundraising event at Lemnos by Clarence in Belmore on June 19.

The PAYCE Foundation was the major sponsor for the 11th Anniversary Celebration that will help more people who are finding it hard to survive as rents and the cost of living continue to rise, with people often forced to choose between eating or keeping warm.

St Merkorious Charity is now a major community service that is:

Delivering a food relief service to the homeless by postcode and client
Providing weekly community meals in Parramatta and Mt Druitt
Assessing clients in need and referring them to support services
Supporting children in need through education programs
Arranging donations and fundraisers for those in need of emergency support

The event was attended by a host of VIPs, including Mayor of Burwood Council John Faker, State Member for Strathfield Jason Li, and Federal Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations and Member for Watson Tony Burke. Mrs Nicolas thanked everyone for their ongoing support for the vital service.

“I would like to thank the PAYCE Foundation who supported us from day one, including with our first mobile food van,” she said.

PAYCE Foundation Director Dominic Sullivan said: “Paula and the team at St Merkorious have done a remarkable job helping people who are struggling to receive the basics to survive. It is an amazing story, and we are delighted to be a major supporter of a charity that is making a significant difference in the community.”

Adele House

Sydney Street Choir unites voices for reconciliation

In a powerful display of unity and reconciliation, the Sydney Street Choir has come together to record a moving rendition of Warumpi Band’s iconic indigenous song “Blackfella/Whitefella” to mark Reconciliation Week 2024.

The Sydney Street Choir, comprised of people from all walks of life who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness, has long used the power of music to uplift and inspire.

In recording “Blackfella/Whitefella,” they join their voices with those of Indigenous Australians and choirs from all around the country in a shared call for understanding, respect, and unity.

“Blackfella/Whitefella,” originally released by the Warumpi Band in 1985, remains a potent anthem for reconciliation.

Its lyrics speak to the shared experiences and enduring bonds between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, and its message of mutual respect and understanding resonates deeply.

The Sydney Street Choir’s rendition of “Blackfella/Whitefella” is more than just a song – it’s a testament to the human spirit’s ability to overcome adversity and find common ground.

Through their powerful performance, the choir members show that even in the face of challenges like homelessness, the voice of reconciliation can ring out loud and clear.

The PAYCE Foundation has been a long-term philanthropic supporter of the Sydney Street Choir.

PAYCE Foundation Director Dominic Sullivan said: “As Reconciliation Week 2024 reminds us, the journey towards true reconciliation is ongoing.

“But with initiatives like the Sydney Street Choir’s powerful recording of “Blackfella/Whitefella,” we move closer to a future where all Australians can thrive together.

“Through the universal language of music, the Sydney Street Choir invite us all to join in this reconciliation journey.

“As we listen to the choir’s stirring rendition of “Blackfella/Whitefella,” let us reflect on the progress made, the challenges still ahead, and the shared bonds that unite us all as Australians.”

2024 Vinnies CEO Sleepout launches in Sydney

PAYCE Foundation Director Dominic Sullivan has joined other CEOs for the launch of the 2024 Vinnies CEO Sleepout.

The Vinnies CEO Sleepout has been held each year since 2006 to raise important funds and awareness in support of the St Vincent De Paul Society homelessness services.

With the cost of living skyrocketing and more Australians sleeping rough each night – this service is now as important as ever.

Thread Together announce expansion of wardrobe capsule initiative

Clothing charity Thread Together has announced the expansion of its highly demanded wardrobe capsule service to address the immediate need for women and children fleeing domestic violence.

Since its conception last year, the initiative has delivered 100 wardrobe capsules in shelters across Australia providing nearly 3000 women and children with essential clothing items on arrival.

The service will expand into another 100 women’s shelters by the end of 2024 as more women and children seek help to start a new life free of violence.

The major milestone was marked at an event alongside charity and financial partners Goodman, PAYCE Foundation, CommBank and the Saunders Family.

The PAYCE Foundation has committed $300,000 over three years to support the service launched 12 months ago.

Thread Together CEO Anthony Chesler says whilst the success of the service is promising, the demand is still extremely high.

“Shelters across the country save lives but often didn’t have a dignified solution for clothing. Thread Together identified a gap to provide immediate clothing on arrival for women and children escaping domestic violence.”

We have developed a scalable solution that supports victim-survivors as they restore their dignity. Given the importance of the service and the demand, there is currently a waitlist of 30 shelters.”

Once settled into their temporary accommodation, recipients will have the opportunity to order a more substantial wardrobe for themselves and their children via Thread Together’s online service.

Sydney Zero to cut rough sleeping in Inner Sydney

Sydney Zero is an action-orientated, collaborative effort to make rough sleeping rare, brief and non-recurring in Inner Sydney.

The City of Sydney, the Department of Communities and Justice, homelessness services and philanthropists have come together to implement the Sydney Zero project.

The PAYCE Foundation is the founding philanthropic partner of ESSC.

The project is a place-based response, operating within the Sydney local government area. It is a person-centred approach, providing support to all people aged 18 and over who are living on-the-streets or in crisis or temporary accommodation.

A Local Leadership Group, drawn from senior representatives from participating organisations, will maintain oversight of the implementation and ongoing performance of Sydney Zero to ensure it meets its purpose.

Key to the success of Sydney Zero are the adoption of collaboration practices including embedding a simplified By-Name-List (BNL)

The BNL is a digital tool used on the street which gathers information from people and facilitates a coordinated response to their needs.

PAYCE Foundation and End Street Sleeping Director Dominic Sullivan said the BNL program had been simplified to assist workers on the front line access the information required to find solutions for rough sleeping.

“It also reduces trauma and disengagement for people experiencing homelessness by reducing the number of times they need to tell their story and by facilitating a speedier and more effective response to the person’s needs,” Mr Sullivan said.

“Too many people, particularly in Inner Sydney are sleeping rough, but we believe Sydney Zero will make a difference as it will deliver better case co-ordination – the key to finding long term solutions for homeless people living on the street.”