StreetSmart Australia

🎉 We're excited to share that we have received an Australian Business Awards, (Charity Award) for Outstanding Achievement in recognition of our SleepSafe program. In collaboration with Sheridan - Hanes Brands Australasia, SleepSafe distributes sleep kits to frontline community organisations to support those facing and experiencing homelessness. The program has enabled thousands of Australians in need to receive comfort, dignity, and practical support in their time of crisis. This recognition highlights the immense effort and dedication of everyone involved, from the passionate team at Sheridan to the incredible generosity of our supporters. Pictured is community partner Launchpad Youth Community with the Sheridan team in Sydney and Birribee Housing unpacking a delivery of sleep kits. Read about the award here - https://lnkd.in/gyh5wa_2

Launched yesterday, the 2024 Homelessness Monitor pulls together an extraordinary amount of data to help us to better understand homelessness in Australia, from emerging trends to key drivers and impacts. A big thanks to Hal Pawson, Andrew Clarke, and Kate Colvin Homelessness Australia for talking through the report yesterday. Some of the stands outs... - People are stuck in homelessness for longer, with a 44% increase in the median support time in the past 5 years - Changing profiles of those experiencing homelessness, including older people (65 y/o up 30%) - Reduced capacity to provide preventative support means people experience harsher conditions, demonstrated by a 28% increase in those sleeping rough when first seeking support - Increasingly, local councils are playing an active role in homelessness response referral, coordination, and facilitation Read the full report: https://lnkd.in/gXMGvSZf

⚽ What does sport have to do with homelessness? We've been funding sport and recreational programs for the best part of 20 years, and know what a game-changer sport and recreational opportunities are in supporting those at risk or experiencing homelessness. These programs help to build support networks, reduce social isolation, improve health and wellbeing outcomes, and foster a sense of purpose and confidence. We've just wrapped up 2024 with a final grants round as part of our new program Active Futures, and have been able to fund 4 organisations across Australia. We've focused on supporting at-risk youth, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, those interacting with the justice system, and refugee and migrant communities through incredible programs including Hoops 4 Health Pty Ltd, The Big Issue Australia Street Soccer, First Hike Project, and Helping Hoops. Read more in our latest article: https://lnkd.in/gAY5hz87 #homelessness #streetsoccer #endinghomelessness #community #sport

Would you add one more gift to your list?🎄🎁 As we approach the good giving season, 122,494 people in Australia will be spending Christmas without a safe place to call home—on the streets, in cars, tents, or on friends' couches. At StreetSmart, we’re working to change this narrative, and we need your support. We are inviting corporate partners to join us in making a meaningful difference and supporting our fundraising goal. We already smashed through our 3rd milestone and we hope you can help us get to our next goal. For just $8,000, your organisation can provide a safe place for 24 individuals who are experiencing homelessness. Together we can help people with companion animals, children and young people, and Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Peoples on their journey towards a safe and secure place to call home. Will you stand with us and make a lasting impact? Donate online or contact Cynthia Mac Caddon to discuss further - https://lnkd.in/f4jpFT7 #donate #homelessness #goodgivingseason

Active Futures has kicked off (see photos for evidence!) as our latest program. The launch at Ultra Football saw our network of donors, philanthropists and community partners coming together to mark the moment. Leaders like George Halkias and Teuila Reid shared insights from their own programs, highlighting what a powerful tool sport is for those at risk of and experiencing homelessness. We were also lucky to have Western United Football Club Midfielder Seb Pasquali in the room! Whether it’s getting on the court, the pitch, a field, or out on a trail, sport is a powerful motivator, healer, and connector. Removing barriers and creating opportunities for people to be involved in sports and recreational programs is how Active Futures is helping reduce social isolation, foster community, and improve health and wellbeing outcomes. A huge thanks to La Marzocco Australia for keeping the coffee flowing, the team at Ultra for hosting, and for those who shared in the morning including Hall & Wilcox, Callum Senior, Brendan McCashin, Steph Say, Ishara Fernando, Shaun Bajada, Brianne Keogh, Steve Gledden, Tabitha Lovett, Selba Gondoza Luka, and so many others! #homelessness #sport #endinghomelessness

On Monday night, we had the pleasure of catching up with our Board of Directors over a delicious dinner at Langlands Hyatt Centric Melbourne, one of our amazing DineSmart venues. It was a chance to celebrate the incredible milestones we’ve reached this year, thanks to the generosity and support of our community, and to start looking ahead to an even bigger and better 2025. A huge thank you to Langlands for hosting us! And a massive thank you to Barry Moore, Jennifer O'Donnell, Vidit Agarwal, Jessica Cheney, Anna Lyons, Charlie Pitney, Leigh McLeod and Siba Diqer GAICD for their ongoing commitment and support in championing the work we do at StreetSmart every day!

Ever wondered how something as simple as dining out can make a difference? This December, every meal at a DineSmart venue helps fund vital services for people facing homelessness. Check out this video to see how it works 🤝 A massive thank you to our friends at Humbli for capturing the magic of DineSmart and helping us spread the word!

CafeSmart grants are already making an impact for people facing homelessness and local community support services, just look at the team here from Youturn who have just purchased tents and swags for people sleeping rough. It’s a frustrating reality that this kind of support is needed to save lives while organisations work tirelessly to source longer-term accommodation solutions. The Youturn team said “as you likely know, a significant number of the people we support are rough sleepers, and unfortunately, the brokerage funds included in our programs often don’t extend to essential items like tents. Your support fills this gap and will make an immediate and meaningful difference in their lives. We cannot thank you enough for this invaluable assistance.” #homelessness #community #CafeSmart #endinghomelessness #roughsleeping

Planning your end of year catch ups? Why not make them count! Starting from this Sunday, 64 iconic restaurants across Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra are joining forces for a month of festivities and fundraising through DineSmart 2024! For 22 years, we’ve been partnering with some of Australia’s best venues, raising vital funds to support their local grassroots homelessness organisations. Thanks to the generosity of their diners, these efforts have delivered crucial support to a sector working tirelessly to address the increasing number of faces walking through their doors each day. Supporting DineSmart couldn’t be easier: 🍽️ Dine at a participating venue. 👍 Let staff know you're happy to add the $2 donation to your bill. And just like that you’ll help fund real solutions to homelessness! A big thank you to our incredible Presenting Partner, Lightspeed Commerce, and our Restaurant Partner, BEST Gift Group, for helping bring the campaign to life. And a huge shoutout to all our amazing venue partners who consistently show up to create impact year after year!

📣 Grants news...our giving community has enabled $76,750 to be distributed across 15 organisations, helping to end, prevent, and respond to women's homelessness. Having no safe place to call home is growing reality for women and gender diverse folk who face systemic barriers like violence, discrimination, lack of suitable and affordable housing options, and pay/superannuation gaps. We're proud to be helping support a number of gender-specific responses across 6 states, creating change for refugee and migrant women, those affected by violence and abuse, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, young women and gender diverse folk, older women, and those who have interacted with the justice system. Read more in our recent article: https://lnkd.in/gsvUkvxp Great to be funding the work of Wellsprings for Women (pictured), Seeds of Affinity , Mangrove Housing's The Forgotten Women project, SpeakOut - Immigrant Women's SpeakOut Association NSW, Women's Community Shelters' new refuge on the Mornington Peninsula, Law and Advocacy Centre for Women Ltd and others. #homelessness #grants #women #endinghomelessness #community