Kick Start team back homeless youth fundraiser Hard Hat Day

PAYCE Foundation social enterprise Kick Start has thrown its support behind the Property Industry Foundation’s Homeless Youth Fundraiser, Hard Hat Day, donating a day’s takings.

The $2000 raised was matched by the PAYCE Foundation, while Kick Start corporate partners Charter Hall and Frasers Property Industrial & Winten Property Group donated $2000 and $1000 for a total of $7000.

Hard Hat Day is a major fundraiser for the Property Industry Foundation that builds accommodation for homeless youth.

Every night there are 44,000 young Australians left without a safe and secure place to sleep.

Kick Start operates a fleet of mobile food trailers across Sydney which not only feed hungry workers, but also give youth an opportunity to gain experience and qualifications in hospitality.

Both Charter Hall and Frasers Property Industrial & Winten Property Group are Kick Start partners with food trailers located on their sites.

PAYCE Foundation Director Dominic Sullivan said it was a great team fundraising effort.

“Now more than ever young people need support and they all deserve to have a roof over their head and the opportunity to live a fulfilling life,’’ he said.

“I would like thank the Kick Start team, and Charter Hall and Frasers Property Industrial & Winten Property Group for their assistance in raising funds,’’ he said.

“They are wonderful corporate partners who make a significant contribution to the community.’’

Staff hit the pavement to fund raise for women in crisis

PAYCE is stepping up to raise funds for the Parramatta Women’s Shelter (PWS) which is facing increased demand for its domestic violence services following the long COVID-19 lockdown.

Staff hit the pavement to fund raise for women in crisis

To meet that need, PWS is holding a Virtual Walk-a-thon, with PAYCE staff already clocking up the kilometres and raising an impressive $6000.

The PAYCE Foundation has pledged to match the staff fund raising effort.

PWS opened its doors in December 2019, with the support of the PAYCE Foundation which donated the use of five homes.

One in two women fleeing domestic violence are turned away every night in Australia.

PAYCE Foundation’s Maddy James said: ‘’Lockdown has made me appreciate how important it is to have a safe place to live.

‘’PWS’ virtual Walk-a-thon allowed us to rally the troops from the PAYCE and Paynter Dixon group and come together to help vulnerable women and children in crisis.

“Tania Smith and all the staff at the shelter do such fantastic work in helping get families back on their feet and find their place within the community, and we are just proud to be able to support it.”

Paul Borghetti, who manages PAYCE Foundation social enterprise Kick Start, jumped at the opportunity to raise funds for PWS.

“I decided to participate as PWS offer such a crucial service and I wanted to support the great work they do in this space.

“With more and more people being impacted by the COVID pandemic and lockdowns, now more than ever I feel it is our duty to support the community any way we can.”

PAYCE team member Jessica Dowling said it had been refreshing to get outdoors and walk for a good cause.

‘’I decided to participate in the PWS Virtual Walk-a-thon to not only show my support to women and children in need, but to be able to provide help from afar has been rewarding and allows me to share compassion in a different kind of way.’’

PAYCE Foundation Director Dominic Sullivan said PWS was doing critical work assisting women and children build a new life free from domestic violence.

“It has been a wonderful response from PAYCE and I would encourage everyone to join the Walk-a-thon and make a difference.’’

For more information on joining the Walk-a-thon

Paynter Dixon team pitches in to help COVID vulnerable

Paynter Dixon staff have answered the call to help deliver meals to some of Sydney’s most vulnerable residents struggling with life in lockdown.

Paynter Dixon volunteer Peter Cavallaro with Kick Start Trainees Amelia Sinani and Silvana King preparing for a delivery run.

The Melrose Park Meal Share service has delivered more than 10,000 meals to residents since mid-July, including the elderly, those in isolation, key workers, people who have lost their jobs, families struggling financially and those with a disability.

The meal service, including food preparation and delivery management, is run by the PAYCE Foundation’s social enterprise Kick Start, which provides hospitality training for young people.

With so many meals to deliver, Paynter Dixon offered to assist its philanthropic partner, the PAYCE Foundation, and the Kick Start team transport the food to homes.

Paynter Dixon Volunteer Peter Cavallaro said the heartfelt appreciation from Meal Share recipients was overwhelming.

“I had 14 deliveries assigned to me, which included the elderly living at home with no one to care for them,’’ Peter said.

“There were those in the community with a disability or less mobile and unable to move around freely.

“And then there was the young parents looking after little children, perhaps feeling the financial hardship of COVID-19 lockdowns, unable to work and provide the most essential of living requirements, like putting food on the table.’’

Peter said the wonderful and dedicated staff behind Kick Start deserved praise for delivering meals week on week.

‘’I also commend the PAYCE Foundation for their generosity,’’ he said.

‘’This is a thoughtful and caring initiative for the vulnerable members of the Melrose Park community.’’

PAYCE Foundation Director Dominic Sullivan thanked the Paynter Dixon volunteers for their assistance.

“The Meal Share service is a major logistical exercise, and volunteers, like the team from Paynter Dixon, ensure the meals are delivered on time to people who need assistance,’’ Mr Sullivan said.

“Volunteers can be satisfied they are making a real difference to people struggling to cope during this long COVID-19 lockdown.’’

New bus to keep church community connected

The St George Maronite Catholic Church at Thornleigh has an enviable record of keeping its parishioners, including the vulnerable connected.

Celebrating the handover of the minibus, Parishioner Anthony Sukari, PAYCE Foundation Director Will Morgan, Monsignor Shora Maree and Father Claude Rizk.

And when the long COVID-19 winter restrictions lift, they will be able to assist more parish members stay in touch.

The PAYCE Foundation has donated a new minibus to the Church.

Monsignor Shora Maree said the minibus would be a big boost for the Church’s operations, particularly elderly parishioners.

“We will be able to pick up parishioners, particularly the elderly and bring them here for events and take them on little trips around Sydney,’’ he said.

Monsignor Shora said reconnecting after the COVID-19 lockdown would be critical for the elderly.

‘’A lot of people have a little bit more fear and worry and have been stuck in that isolation, the minibus will be great.’’

“We really appreciate the support of the PAYCE Foundation.’’

PAYCE Foundation Director Will Morgan said the St George Catholic Maronite Church played a critical role in supporting its parish and the wider community.

“The Foundation is pleased to support the continuation of keeping parishioners connected and supporting vulnerable, less mobile members of the community.’’

Street Sleeping Collaboration Delivers for the Homeless

The 18-month long Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted just how vulnerable some sections of our community are.

Street Sleeping Collaboration Delivers for the Homeless

Homelessness and street sleeping have long been considered a challenge a modern society should be able to solve, but it remains an intractable social phenomenon in many respects.

COVID-19 has disrupted so much of modern life, but the pandemic has not made life on the streets any easier for Sydney’s homeless.

People sleeping on the streets die years before they should. They suffer illnesses that many in the community never experience, and they are among the most vulnerable people in our community and are more likely to experience violence and discrimination.

Less than two years since its inception, the End Street Sleeping Collaboration is making significant inroads in reducing the numbers of people sleeping rough.

The PAYCE Foundation, with its commitment to the most disadvantaged in our community signed on as the Collaboration’s founding Philanthropic Partner in late 2019.

The major stumbling block in tackling street sleeping is delivering a sustainable housing solution for rough sleepers without critical information.

In 2019, End Street Sleeping Collaboration partnered with Microsoft to develop the By Name List.

The By-Name List is a real-time database that is shared by frontline service providers to access information they need to provide sustainable housing and support services to people experiencing homelessness – without the person needing to retell their story.”

PAYCE Foundation Director Dominic Sullivan said the By Name List project had proven an excellent tool in the campaign to provide direct support to homeless people.

“The By-Name List has been a critical component in the rollout of the successful Together Home Program this year.

“In 2020-21, the program provided for 800 packages of housing and support services for people who were sleeping rough or in temporary accommodation during the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

Newly appointed End Street Sleeping Collaboration CEO Graham West said the Collaboration+Data strategy was being rolled out more widely across NSW.

“No one needs to experience chronic homelessness,’’ Mr West said.

“The system can be changed at all levels, and together, we are committed to making that happen.

“Our short-term goal is ambitious.

“We aim to halve rough sleeping across NSW by 2025. It’s a goal that, together, we must meet.’’

R U OK? Day presents a helping hand for construction workers

The construction industry, like many sectors, has felt the full force of COVID-19 lockdowns, creating extra stress in an industry with an already alarming suicide rate.

R U OK? Day presents a helping hand for construction workers

Suicide rates in the construction industry are 53 per cent higher than the general working population and 190 workers die every year.1

National mental health awareness day R U OK? presents an ideal opportunity to reach out and help someone struggling with life.

PAYCE Foundation Director Dominic Sullivan said one of the biggest issues in tackling suicide rates is reinforcing the point that help is available.

“There is a prevailing attitude in construction to just get on with it and not show so-called weakness.

“That is a real tragedy given health assistance can make all the difference.’’

Mr Sullivan said the recent COVID-19 shutdown of the industry has presented new challenges for construction workers.

“COVID-19 lockdowns have fueled uncertainty, stress and anxiety for construction workers and their families.

“Every worker deserves to come home safe at the end of day to their family.

“There is great mateship in the Australian construction industry and R U OK? Day is a good reminder to genuinely check on the welfare of a fellow worker.

‘’It could save a life.’’

See more at: https://www.ruok.org.au/join-r-u-ok-day

Notes: 1. Suicide in the construction industry report, July 2020. The University of Melbourne, Deakin University, Mates in Construction.

Adele House making its mark one year on

Adele House making its mark one year on Drug and alcohol residential facility Adele House has set a treatment benchmark as it marks one year since a new $10 million facility opened at Bucca, near Coffs Harbour. According to Manager Jackson Walsh, the client retention rate for the men’s program has significantly improved

Adele House making its mark one year on

Drug and alcohol residential facility Adele House has set a treatment benchmark as it marks one year since a new $10 million facility opened at Bucca, near Coffs Harbour.

According to Manager Jackson Walsh, the client retention rate for the men’s program has significantly improved since the new facility opened.

Mr Walsh said some clients were overwhelmed when they arrived at the new facility jointly funded by the PAYCE Foundation and the NSW Government.

The architecturally designed facility includes a modern kitchen, recreation room, fully-equipped gym and swimming pool.

The NSW Drug Court refers clients to the Salvation Army operated program.

Mr Walsh said the feedback on the new facility from stakeholders has been very positive.

He said there was no doubt the purpose-built facilities improved the experience of clients and the rates of men completing the course.

PAYCE Foundation Director Dominic Sullivan said the new facility and the hard work of staff were delivering great success.

“It is pleasing to see all the planning and work paying dividends with more men rebuilding their lives, reconnecting with their families and making a positive contribution to society.’’

“It is also an excellent example of the NSW Government working with a philanthropic foundation and the caring staff of the Salvation Army to deliver an excellent outcome for men with an addiction and the broader community.’’

Charity Chef Shane steps up to a COVID catering curve ball

When it comes to catering, there is very little Kick Start Head Chef Shane Hillard hasn’t seen.

Charity Chef Shane steps up to a COVID catering curve ball

He’s worked in Michelin star restaurants, the military, cafes and ran his own business for more than 10 years.

Shane said running the PAYCE Foundation-backed Kick Start is highly rewarding but admits the outbreak of COVID-19 has been a curve ball he didn’t see coming.

His work life has changed from supervising the Kick Start mobile food trailers across Sydney, where young trainees get on-the-job experience as part of their hospitality training, to running the Melrose Park Meal Share service.

With Sydney going into a tough lockdown for the second time in 18 months, and café business restricted, the PAYCE Foundation and the Kick Start team have again stepped up to help those doing it tough in Melrose Park.

More than 3600 free meals have been delivered to 234 people since the Meal Share was re-launched four weeks ago.

The local community has also been heavily involved, identifying people who may need assistance.

Shane said people were quite fearful of the COVID-19 Delta variant and particularly grateful for the Meal Share service which assists people who have lost their job, those with a disability, the elderly and isolated and struggling families.

“It is fantastic to be out there making food deliveries to those who really need it,’’ Shane said.

“The team responsible for the Meal Share service are a great group and we’re all in it for the same reason – to help the community.’’

Shane counts himself lucky to be working during the lockdown, particularly for a good cause.

“I am one of the lucky ones in hospitality to have a job,’’ he said.

“For those stuck at home I think it is quite mentally debilitating in many ways.’’

Shane said the feedback from clients was overwhelmingly positive.

PAYCE Foundation Director Dominic Sullivan said the Meal Share service was again proving that Melrose Park was a community with a real heart.

“The Kick Start team under the stewardship of Shane Hillard have again done an amazing job preparing and delivering meals to people who really need assistance during this long lockdown,’’ Mr Sullivan said.

Mental health drama ‘The Stranger’ heads to Sydney Film Festival

PAYCE Foundation-backed Australian short film ‘The Stranger’ announced to compete in the prestigious Dendy Awards for Australian Short Films at 2021 Sydney Film Festival in November, with a focus on eliminating the stigma of mental health.

The short film is an edge of your seat psychological drama that brings to light the overlooked topic of how to respond to people with mental illness.

Mental illness affects millions of Australians every year, having adverse implications for employment, physical health and other social outcomes.

About 45% of Australians aged 16–85 experience a mental illness over their lifetime.

Director Jenny Hicks said the most powerful underlying theme in ‘The Stranger’ is the stigma and prejudices people with mental illness face.

“Film and television exert a powerful influence on community attitudes towards mental ill health due to their broad reach and appeal,” she said.

“The Stranger’ is a sensitive and nuanced film that counters negative stereotypes of people experiencing mental illness in film and television and other media.”

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PAYCE Foundation Director James Boyd said the film was an important step in the right direction in communicating mental health issues, particularly in regional Australia.

“Mental illness affects so many people in our community and for the most part is hidden – the PAYCE Foundation is delighted to support a film that will shine a light on an illness that needs a deeper level of understanding and assistance especially in the current environment,” Mr Boyd said.

Ms Hicks thanked the PAYCE Foundation for its support , and the involvement of long-term foundation partner, the Sydney Street Choir, which performed at a cast, crew and investors screening earlier this year.

“We were very lucky and grateful to receive some financial support from the PAYCE Foundation to make the film,” Ms Hicks added.

“And the Sydney Choir’s performance was terrific – they sang with so much love and joy and without a doubt their performance added to the poignancy of the film that was screened afterwards.”

After its world premiere at Revelation Perth International Film Festival in July, ‘The Stranger’ will continue on the local and international film festival circuit before general release to the public.

For more information on ‘The Stranger’, contact:

Harriet Dixon-Smith, Producer
hdixonsmith@gmail.com | 0403 857 328

Women fleeing violence deserve a safe home

When people think of homelessness, women fleeing domestic violence is probably not top of the list.

Women fleeing violence deserve a safe home

But one in two women who make the traumatic decision to leave a violent home can’t find crisis accommodation.

They are forced, often with children, to camp where they can, including the family car.

It is a heartbreaking thought as society considers those left without shelter during Homelessness Week 2021.

A staggering 116,000 people are homeless every night in Australia.

PAYCE Foundation Director Dominic Sullivan said with the COVID-19 pandemic creating enormous stress for households, it was important women and children have options to find a safe place.

“The COVID-19 pandemic is not only a health crisis, but also an economic and social crisis, and now more than ever, we need to protect the vulnerable,’’ Mr Sullivan said.

“Women need to have options when it comes to protecting themselves and their children.’’

The PAYCE Foundation has partnered with Women’s Community Shelters and Parramatta Women’s Shelter, donating the use of five homes for crisis and transitional housing.

There is strong demand for domestic violence accommodation in the Parramatta Local Government Area.

The Parramatta Women’s Shelter has assisted more than 100 women and children since it opened its doors in December 2019.

“Where there is housing that is not being utilised, donating that can make an enormous difference for women requiring crisis accommodation,’’ Mr Sullivan said.

“The Parramatta Women’s Shelter is doing amazing work helping women rebuild their lives.

“Homelessness Week is a timely reminder of the work that is still to be done.’’

Follow the link to donate to Parramatta Women’s Shelter today.