Hope drives food support through lockdown More than 100 hampers were handed out over two weeks as part of a drive-thru service at Hope Cottage, Gorokan, on the Central Coast, supporting local families experiencing hardship during lockdown. BaptistCare HopeStreet Community Chaplain Donna Knee said the outpouring from the church and the community has been immense, as is the ongoing demand. She works alongside the Lakes Baptist Church where Hope Cottage is located, as well as with support from HopeStreet Windale as needed. “Hope Cottage is now a vehicle for the church and greater community, and our heart is to give without an agenda. There’s no judgement. I think anyone who comes here is blown away by that,” said Donna. Hope Cottage has consolidated its efforts to make giving more sustainable as lockdown continues by bagging essential hopestreet.org.au
food items including fruit, vegetables, eggs and bread for contact-less and drive-thru pickup, as well as offering low-priced groceries at their walk-in store. “At least 40 food support parcels go out each week. We’re seeing a lot of families, single mums, and elderly people too. There’s a whole lot of people that normally could afford food and resources, but they currently can’t. There are people experiencing homelessness, and young people who are couchsurfing that come to get food.” The Hope Cottage team collect phone numbers of recipients and check in during the week to see if they can offer any further support. Recent feedback from another local service confirmed the team’s impact, saying, “Clients have been saying how nice they are treated at Hope Cottage. At times, they have been made to feel like they
should not be asking for help, but Hope Cottage has loved them and made them feel like they are being cared for by friends and family.” The partnership between Lakes Baptist Church and BaptistCare HopeStreet showcases what can be achieved, especially in challenging times, when people come together with heart for the local community.
COAST RENTAL CRISIS Central Coast, NSW: A rise in rent is adding to the already desperate situation 22.8% rise in rent over 12 months (to early July) $564 average weekly rent TOP FIVE regional areas for rent increase in NSW
Coast Community News, JULY 23, 2021
Spring 2021
HOMELESSNESS
We will not let them be left behind Winter and a pandemic have increased the gap between security and survival for people experiencing homelessness without access to the necessities of nutrition, smartphones and vehicles. Around 40 people arrive every day to HopeStreet Port Kembla for meals. “You can’t face life or this pandemic without being nourished,” said Dianne Frohmuller, Manager of BaptistCare HopeStreet Port Kembla. “I know there are other services that aren’t doing food service anymore, there aren’t many open. It’s also a terrible situation out there when you haven’t got a car or a smartphone. Even with all the COVID testing locations you have to drive through and register with a smartphone for test results,” said Dianne. “Those of us who do have cars have the luxury of waiting in comfort on a cold, rainy winter’s day. However, if you’re homeless, or even elderly, or hopestreet.org.au
disadvantaged, you just can’t do it. The percentage of people who come to HopeStreet who have a mobile phone with credit on it - if it was 5% it would be an over-exaggeration.” Our HopeStreet teams have continued to offer as much comfort and security as possible. Takeaway items include hot nutritious meals and fruit, jackets, blankets, and, in part, a small sense of safety through access to vaccines. Our HopeStreet Port Kembla team recently partnered with NSW Illawarra Shoalhaven Health District to deliver the Pfizer vaccine to some of the community’s most vulnerable. “The clinic felt different, like we were doing something against COVID, rather than COVID controlling us. We were able to take action in our community in a really positive way,” said Dianne. “We were allocated 30 vaccinations, and 30 is what we used. There weren’t any
THE LAST TWO MONTHS HopeStreet visits 25% decrease due to lockdown 47% more than lockdown last year Phone support 15% increase since lockdown began 24% more than lockdown last year Food parcels 3% increase during lockdown 79% increase in the value of food parcels left over, and sadly we had to turn others away. Many clients had mentioned they wanted to get vaccinated but didn’t know where they were going to get it. For people to get vaccinated, to feel a little bit safe, was massive for them… They didn’t feel left behind,” said Dianne. Your help means we can continue to deliver vital services to our clients during this pandemic. Visit hopestreet.org.au/donate and give hope today. Spring 2021
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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Abuse spanning decades won’t go away A house-sitter in demand, Jacquie had ten years’ experience minding pets and properties practically backto-back, then COVID-19 hit. With lockdown in 2020, jobs dried up. Jacquie stayed with her sister, then spent a few weeks at her mother’s house where an altercation brought up devastating family secrets and abuse spanning decades. Jacquie’s youngest brother, in his late 40s, lives with their mother. One night he came home from the pub. “I knew he’d be really drunk. I answered the door and went straight back to my room. He started banging on my door, telling me I had to get out,” said Jacquie. “He kept trying to bang the door down and get in to me, so I said, ‘Go away or I’ll call the police’. It didn’t settle down so I made the call and once Mum heard I had, she came out and labelled me the trouble-maker, she threw me under the bus when the police came.” Jacquie’s options for a roof over her head were exhausted.
She was homeless and couldn’t access JobSeeker.
just gave me support that I really had never had before.
“It’s the same as when I was 27. I brought out about my father sexually abusing me since I was three; Mum turned on me. And then my sisters came out with their experience; she turned on them too.”
They gave me the feedback I needed to believe in myself. I volunteer there now. I want to help women in writing their story as well.”
“It made me see Mum had known the truth, but it’s more her agenda of not having this stuff made public.” Jacquie, in her 60s, has been, and continues to work on her personal development. When she found herself with nowhere to go, she called BaptistCare HopeStreet, who had once given her a No Interest Loan. “I went to them again, they were amazing. They gave me food, they gave me clothing, and they put me on to a housing organisation. I got a lovely place, quite quickly – considering I was told I may have to wait two years,” said Jacquie. “BaptistCare HopeStreet also helped me with anything I needed for my new place. They
“They gave me food,
they gave me clothing”
With the support of the team at HopeStreet, Jacquie has settled in to her new apartment. “I am very happy here. It allows me to do a lot of dog-walking and pet-sitting and helps me pay my rent.” If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, family or domestic violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.
SCAN THE QR CODE At HopeStreet, we come alongside women who need a safe space every day. Would you like to help them rebuild their lives? See where your local HopeStreet team is located, or email fundraising@ baptistcare.org.au to see how you can help today.
HOMELESSNESS
Housing is a basic human right When *Bianca’s mother passed away, she and her son became homeless. In seeking help, they were put in a hotel in Ballina. “I had to pay for that. I couldn’t afford it. I slept in my car for two days.”
the street,” she says.
The next option was a sharehouse; however, some of the tenants needed mental support or had addictions. “It was bad for my son,” said Bianca.
Jess, BaptistCare’s Tailored Support Coordinator in the Northern Rivers, says she’s able to come alongside tenants and be part of their journey to independence and confidence.
After seeing an ad on social media, Bianca visited one of BaptistCare’s community housing sites in Lismore, and as a single mum working on a low income, she was offered the unit. “It was brand new, comfortable, open. Close to shops, a school and the hospital, and I could trust the people around me.” That was over two years ago. Bianca is thrilled with her unit but it’s more the support, friendship and care from the BaptistCare Garimaleh team that she’s most grateful for. “Without them, we’d be on hopestreet.org.au
When she lost her part-time job as a Disability Support Worker last November - due to the pandemic - the team helped Bianca get another job, and even find a babysitter.
“Some have had complicated circumstances to navigate, not through any fault of their own. Their challenges can make holding down employment or housing really difficult. Hurdles include experiencing loss and grief, trauma from violence, or even health concerns.” Bianca wishes more housing was available to meet the need for single-parents like her. She counts herself and her son as the lucky ones.
in depression-mode like I was. In the two years here, I’ve done more qualifications. I’ve got good jobs. I’ve made friends,” smiles Bianca. BaptistCare operates two community housing locations in the Northern Rivers; Garimaleh Place and Illowra Place. It means homes for 81 seniors and single-parent families. * Names have been changed. Images are for illustration purposes.
THE FULL STORY Use the QR code to read more of Bianca’s story, and our call for a national housing strategy and commitment from all levels of government for housing funding.
“Housing is a basic human right. People will be happier and not
Spring 2021
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FAIR FINANCE
Panic-free lifeline to finance For any family, the very thought of the car registration coming up for renewal or a washing machine breaking down is enough to induce anxiety. Now imagine you’ve got six kids. A car is a valuable commodity when there’s school, dance lessons and football training to get to. And the never-ending pile of dirty laundry needs no incentive to grow. Kerry*, mum of six children (between the ages of fifteen and two), has deeply appreciated having access to a lifeline over the last ten years in the form of No Interest Loans (NILS) from BaptistCare. “It’s really, really good to have NILS and know I’m not going to be worse off for it. The fact that I can pay for the car rego when I need to and afford to pay the loan off in my time,” said Kerry.
Kerry finds the fair finance loans easy to repay. “It’s only ever $40 a fortnight, or $20 a week, so I like to pay it at $50 a week or so, so I can get another one if it’s necessary.” “As a lump sum, regos are a lot of money! So it provides peace of mind to think that when the rego is coming up, I don’t need to stress or go without. I just know it must be time for my NILS loan.” This process has served Kerry and her family well on multiple occasions beyond vehicle registration. “I’ve been able to use it in heaps of ways. I used it to furnish my first house when I had nothing. I was at university for a while and I literally had $1000 worth of books to buy, so I was able to use it for that. I’ve also now got a reliable $1000 washing machine. But the car is probably the main one,” said Kerry.
“I’ve got teenagers, middle ones, toddlers, and babies. I need the car for everything from shopping, school, and after-school dance lessons. There’s football games on the weekends, and training during the week,” said Kerry. Over the last decade, Kerry has had the same NILS Coordinator at BaptistCare HopeStreet. “Kevin has supported me across all of my houses. I was a single mum. I have a partner now, but I’ve had the loans to help me long before that. I moved up to four times. Kevin has been able to help me with furniture and in times of need along the way.” * Names have been changed. Images are for illustration purposes.
LIFELINE LOANS
Since 2011, our HopeStreet teams have delivered $9,113,984 of No Interest Loans In the last 12 months, we provided 1,290 loans Totalling $1,409,627 At an average value of $1,004 There is a safe and affordable way to get a loan. hopestreet.org.au/fairfinance
hopestreet.org.au
Spring 2021
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“For people to be able to get vaccinated, to feel a little bit safe, was massive to them.
They didn’t feel left behind.”
We need your help to provide hope, opportunity and food for people experiencing homelessness.
PLEASE DONATE TODAY
hopestreet.org.au/donate
How we gave hope during July & August's lockdown Thanks to our generous supporters, our COVIDSafe services have adapted again to help people who are impacted by COVID-19 restrictions and living below the poverty line.
5,462 clients 2,758 clients accessed accessed our low cost Community food shops Centres
10,321 meals provided
4,478 food parcels distributed
$67,000 value of food parcels
158 new counselling clients
1,856 counselling sessions
Help us keep providing essential services by supporting us at hopestreet.org.au/donate Our Purpose: Transforming Lives By Expressing The Love Of Christ. Our Values: Love | Respect | Reliability | Empowerment