Winter Appeal for homelessness

A sustained period of rental inflation across Australia has led to 10,000 extra people becoming homeless every month.

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Families experiencing homelessness are in urgent need of your help this winter.

When people are forced out of private rentals, they end up living in a range of unstable and unsafe situations like couch-surfing, crisis shelters, tents, or in their cars.

Your gift will give them shelter, and the practical support they need to get their lives back on track.

Select ‘Winter Appeal’ from the drop-down list. All donations above $2 are tax-deductible. Donate by 30 June to earn a tax benefit on your next refund.

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Donation Total: $50.00 One Time

Nights of fear and sleeplessness: Callie’s story

Callie still can’t believe how quickly it all escalated. One week she was happily employed as a part-time receptionist at a doctor’s office. Her seven-year-old daughter Olivia was thriving at school, while Henry, her two-year-old, was enjoying a few days a week at childcare. Money was tight, but Callie has always been thrifty. Her little family was doing okay.

“The real estate sent me a letter saying my landlord was putting the rent up by $200 a week,” she says. “There was no way I could stretch my budget that far. I had to look for somewhere cheaper for us.”

Over the next three months she went to countless rental inspections, only to find she was one of dozens of families looking. She put in more than 30 applications, growing more desperate and worried when she heard nothing.

“I ran out of time. When I had to vacate our home I felt like I was sleepwalking. I think I was in shock. Livvy could see that I wasn’t acting right, even though I tried to smile.”

Clothing, blankets, snacks and essentials were bundled into the car along with the kids. The next few weeks were some of the worst Callie has ever experienced.

“We were cleaning ourselves with wet wipes in public toilets, spending our days in parks or at the library, and parking near shopping centres at night,” she says. “I was so on edge at night I couldn’t sleep.

“Livvy was an absolute angel, she kept Henry busy and gave me lots of hugs. She kept saying, ‘It’s going to be ok, mum’, but I could see she was scared. I hated having to put her through that.”

Despite feeling intense shame at her situation, and worry that her kids would be taken away from her, Callie approached a local homelessness services provider for help. She was able to take a shower, do a load of laundry, and was given a box of food and nappies. “They were so welcoming, they didn’t judge me,” says Callie. “I was still too nervous then to let the staff know what was happening, but they felt safe.”

Two days later she returned, and sat down with a case worker, Maria. “I told her everything,” says Callie. “She was so kind, and immediately got to work finding us somewhere to sleep for the next few nights. She knew so much – who could help us, what payments I could apply for, and she took care of it.”

Settling down with her kids that night in a real bed, Callie felt some of her fear start to fade. Over the next few days Maria found them a longer-term housing option, and will continue to support the family as they seek a permanent solution.

“Maria has been an absolute godsend. I don’t know what I would have done without her,” says Callie. “I’ve never needed help like this before. It’s so good not to feel alone… and I cannot tell you how relieved I am to be out of that car.”

Homelessness services in this country are helping 95,000 people every month.

As a result of the current cost-of-living and rental crises, our community partners working in the homelessness sector have told us they are breaking under the pressure and need more funds.

Desperate families are sleeping in cars, tents, and other unsafe places. Please donate now to give them shelter.

Donate via direct deposit

Account Name: Sisters of Charity Foundation Limited ATF Sisters of Charity Foundation
BSB: 032 040
Account number: 126 376

Please enter your full name in the reference field if using direct deposit. Please email [email protected] or phone (02) 9367 1211 and let us know the date of your contribution and the amount so that we can send you a tax receipt.

Level 7, 35 Grafton Street,
Bondi Junction NSW 2022, Australia

[email protected]
02 9367 1211

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The Sisters of Charity Foundation acknowledges the Traditional Owners of this land, the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, and recognises their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.