Meet Myra, who accessed HopeStreet Employment Pathways to gain financial stability. In addition, find out about HopeStreet’s affordable food, Youth Space award, Halo Ball wrap-up and Chain Reaction fundraising cycle event.
With a brand new year, we have the opportunity to provide even more hope to individuals, families and our communities. This renewed hope is made possible because of our vital partners, including you, our donors.
Every day we provide immediate support through affordable food, where people can come for a hot sit-down meal or shop at one of our low-cost grocers. However, much of what we do is also about working alongside families to develop strong and resilient communities.
In this Hope News, we share how the funds you have donated continue to support our Employment Pathways Program, assisting individuals secure jobs and invest in their careers and futures.
I trust you will see how BaptistCare HopeStreet is there for people throughout all stages of someone’s journey.
Thank you again for your generous giving and for walking alongside us to give hope.
Food has fast become a living expense that has forced more and more families to access HopeStreet’s affordable food programs.
“There are a number of services we provide, from sit-down meals to low cost groceries,” Manager of HopeStreet Mayfield, Josephine Farnham said.
In extreme circumstances, some services even deliver food to clients’ doors.
“The food is what brings them, but underlying the food need, are greater needs,” Josephine added.
“We usually find our clients need support in other areas of their life, whether it be finding individuals and families temporary housing, disability advocacy, child and family support programs, or just being there to listen.”
Find out more about our HopeStreet Services at baptistcare.org.au/hopestreet
Thanks to the generosity of 570 guests who attended our BaptistCare HopeStreet Halo Ball, we can continue providing essential support services for families and children escaping domestic violence.
General Manager Community Services & Housing, Robyn Evans, thanked those helping us end the cycle of abuse and build safer families.
“Over the past five years, we have raised more than half a million dollars. This year alone we raised over $175k,” she said.
“This equates to providing 1,166 specialist counsellor sessions ($150 each), or 350 care packages ($500 each) of food, toys, and clothing,” she added.
Other ways we assist families includes providing transitional housing options, emergency relief vouchers, and counselling programs for men, women and children. We also work with clients to find long-term social and affordable housing.
Our Woolloomooloo Youth Space has been open a little under two years but has made a big impact during that short time.
The Space received an award from Kings Cross Police for their outstanding ongoing commitment to the community.
“The Inner City team and volunteers always make it a priority to arrange a variety of activities, which can range from cooking to movie making to tennis,” said General Manager Community Services & Housing, Robyn Evans.
“A fun program that has been booming has been our sewing group who meet on Thursdays, while our homework help and chill-out time is always popular among young people,” she added.
Find out what HopeStreet Inner City has planned this term at facebook.com/hopestreetinnercity
In Sep, Oct & Nov 2022,
28,982
distribute
7,178 you helped: food parcels
deliver 887 hours of
21,304
meals
7,362people shop for food counselling
5,250 provide services for sleeping rough people
200 people over Community centre clients
provide every day
101 support clients over the phone
people access
213 Chaplaincy services
Two years ago, Myra moved to Willmot to reside with the father of their daughter. Working odd jobs like cooking pizzas at the carnival was not making ends meet to pay bills or put food on the table, so the Western Sydney mother connected with HopeStreet Mount Druitt at Willmot Community Hub.
There, she was able to access weekly food hampers, and visit for Tuesday brekkies. “My tummy definitely led me to HopeStreet. It was either ask for help or starve,” Myra said.
It was at an after-school community engagement event where Myra met HopeStreet Employment Pathways Coordinator, Jo Zahorodnyj. “It was the first time I wasn’t just another ‘number.’ The team listened to me and, over time, meeting regularly with Jo, we came up with a plan together on designing the life I wanted to live,” she added.
As a New Zealand Maori, Myra couldn’t access any financial benefits for job seeking here in Australia, and faced barriers to employment such as poor transport connectivity. She also didn’t have her licence or a car.
“HopeStreet became my saving grace. I didn’t want to be a stay-at-home mum without my own income. I had so many goals I wanted to achieve,” she said.
Myra worked with Jo through HopeStreet Employment Pathways, which connects Willmot and Lethbridge Park community members with local services, businesses and government-funded entities to develop economic resilience and overcome employment barriers.
“The whole process was so easy, authentic, and relatable. It was a conversation that escalated from there,” Myra said.
Through HopeStreet Employment Pathways, Myra completed her Certificate III in Disability Community Support Work and First Aid Certificate, qualified for her driver’s licence, gained volunteer work with Jesuit Social Services at Ignite Food Store & Op Shop, which turned into paid employment and now also works at the local Woolworths.
Myra is now working towards her current goal of saving up enough money for a car, so she can reach her ultimate goal of becoming a Disability Community Support Worker.
Over 60 individuals have accessed the HopeStreet Employment Pathways since September 2021.
Find out more about HopeStreet Employment Pathways at baptistcare.org.au/centre/mount-druitt
This month, a team of BaptistCare riders will be cycling 1,000 kilometres across seven days in New Zealand. In partnership with the Chain Reaction Challenge Foundation, the BaptistCare team is aiming to raise $250,000 for BaptistCare HopeStreet children’s services. Meet two of our riders and find out why they’re taking part in the challenge:
Ben
I’m hoping that my “yes“ to be part of this 1,000 kilometre ride across the South Island of New Zealand will play a small part in the lives of children, who are living with disadvantage and in marginalised communities. Homelessness caused by domestic and family violence, and the trauma that it brings into the lives of children, should have no place in our society. The work of BaptistCare HopeStreet to
bring positive change and to the lives of these children is so needed. I hope you will get behind this important work, and show your support for each of us riders raising funds for the kids.
This journey is one of hope to which I can attest. When I was young, I unfortunately experienced domestic violence first-hand. My Mum, sister and I could definitely have used the HopeStreet services. Years later, I now find myself in a position to help break this cycle by raising much needed funds for services, to help those who need it most. Our HopeStreet team has dedicated an extraordinary amount of time and effort to help women and children who have experienced domestic and family violence.
To read more about the fundraising challenge, or to donate, visit chain-reaction.org.au/fundraisers/baptistcarehopestreet
we are here to play our part in the change that is needed. Help us give hope this year.
