Sydney Homeless Connect
People in need left Sydney's Town Hall on 27 June with fresh haircuts, full bellies and warm jackets thanks to an inspiring collaboration of services at Sydney Homeless Connect. The day of practical compassion and help started in 2010, with an aim of connecting rough sleepers and those at risk of becoming homeless with various social and government services. Mission Australia came on board for the event's founding year, and has had a strong presence ever since. The Missionbeat Sydney team were front and centre yesterday, armed with 200 wind-resistant motorcycle jackets to give to people exposed daily to winter's harsh elements. Two shiny Harley Davidsons also helped us stand out in the crowd! The event provided a great opportunity to let people sleeping rough know about the services available to them through Missionbeat. For the past six years, Mission Australia has partnered with Australian Motorcycle News to collect quality pre-loved jackets. A callout is sent to the magazine's readership to drop off their jackets for a good cause. The jackets were collected over the weekend at Robertson Pie Shop and shipped back in the Missionbeat van for sorting before the event. Mission Australia Area Manager for South Eastern NSW, Daniel Strickland has seen this relationship grow since he first worked on the ground with Missionbeat. "It's been fantastic partnering with Australian Motorcycle News and their generous readers for the past six years. Many bikies have warm jackets just sitting in their closets, and are very willing to give them up for a good cause," Daniel said. "Today, we've probably had around two hundred people come and collect a jacket, and walk away a bit warmer as the wind blows through the city streets," Daniel continued.
In addition to the Mission Australia jacket drive, the annual event provides a welcoming environment where people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless can connect with services offering crisis care, financial and legal advice, employment information and housing assistance. There are also immediate dental and medical facilities, hairdressers, massages and hot meals. And not to forget the free hugs! "Clients are able to connect with services that they didn't know existed. They'll come to Sydney Homeless Connect and walk out with a temporary Medicare card. They can update their details with Housing NSW and connect with Family and Community Services. They can leave with a full belly of delicious food, a haircut and manicure," Daniel said. The latest City of Sydney street count figures revealed that almost 500 people are sleeping rough around the CBD, highlighting the value of an event like Sydney Homeless Connect.
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