City2Surf novice speeding ahead

On Sunday, Sook Smith will run her first City2Surf to raise funds for Mission Australia. Currently one of the event’s Top 10 fundraisers, she’s already off to a great start:

"This is my first year doing The Sun Herald City2Surf. I’d thought about it over the last few years but wasn’t ready to commit. This year a few girlfriends are doing it so it was enough encouragement to get me to sign up.

Having my maiden run at 46 meant that I really needed to stick to my training. Making use of the intermediate training suggestions on the City2Surf website made this easier and I made the commitment to stick to my training no matter what. Although this sometimes had me running in my raincoat!

When deciding to fundraise it was important to me to pick a charity in Australia that supports Australians, especially youth, unemployed and homeless. Quite often we hear about charities in developing countries but sometimes we miss what’s in our own backyard. This is the reason I chose to support Mission Australia

Once I began fundraising I made the approach to the Jaques Stanmore Foundation, the foundation within our business - The Jaques Stanmore Financial Group (http://www.jaquesstanmore.com.au). I know them to be very supportive, but had no idea how supportive until they informed me that for every dollar I raise up to $3,000 they will match those funds. So of course my step was to figure out how to raise $3,000 to get the most from my fundraising!

I started off by emailing my friends, family and clients and was completely overwhelmed by all the support I received from them and from my business partners. The company was also kind enough to support me in having a fundraising morning tea where I put baking skills to work in the cake raffle, where the prize was a cake for any occasion baked by me.

I think fundraising is all about working to your own skill sets and being as creative as you can. My advice to others thinking about fundraising is Go for It. It encourages you to race better and with the help of email and the internet, it’s easy.

The run on 14 August is all about enjoying myself and the spirit and atmosphere of the event. Hopefully I get a good race time and the fundraising is an added bonus!"

Share the fun
Supporters can meet up with their sponsored runners after the race at a Mission Australia barbecue on Sunday. We’re setting up just over the finish line at Ramsgate Avenue, near the North Bondi RSL - so come along and grab a snag and a drink. Look out for the Missionbeat van and the Mission Australia banner!

To get behind our runners, including Team MA from our homeless services, visit www.fundraise.city2surf...

Superheroes to tackle the City2Surf

On Sunday, Carlos Romero and his family will take on The Sun-Herald City2Surf to raise funds for Mission Australia. Here he shares why this event – and the cause – means so much to him.

"As the Telstra Operations Manager of the Social Services and Not for Profit Sector I have built a great relationship with Mission Australia over the past six years - a place where motivation and inspiration are easy to find.

Missionbeat is one of my favourite Mission Australia services. It’s headed up by one of Sydney’s most influential and inspirational people when it comes to social welfare - Daniel Strickland. I follow Daniel on Twitter and Facebook and he was my first motivator to get started with City2Surf. I have always wanted to compete against Daniel - and win!.

This is my first time doing City2Surf and I will be running alongside my family. It’s also the first time they have run beside me in such a large-scale event, or anything that involves running or walking more than 80 metres. I think my wife and kids are excited about the prospect of beating me at something sports related (all the sporting trophies at home currently have my name on them).

Training with kids
Kids, as we know, are generally never still; even when mine are enjoying an ice-cream at home they are constantly on the move. So when it came to training, their regimes were much cheaper than mine.

Having exciting race-day attire is important in my family and money saved on training has since been spent on outfits for the day. Celio, 2, will be sporting a Superman costume but his older brother Marcius, 4 (both pictured) thought Spiderman was by far the superior option. I have a strong feeling they will cross, or fly, over the line well before their father.

My training has been going well, since moving to our new house in Parramatta. While we had wanted to build a huge state of the art training facility much like the ones used by Olympians and the very fit NRL stars at Moore Park, we could only afford a cheap exercise bike.

It’s come to my attention that those very fit NRL Sydney Roosters have been training Daniel and the Missionbeat team, but I don’t feel they will be a match for my cheap exercise bike. I also have an added advantage over Daniel in this race. However, I cannot disclose all my secrets in this article, you will have to stay tuned to find out more! I will say this though; it is something I intend to wear to rival Daniel’s rainbow shoes.

Putting the fun into fundraising
I feel City2Surf and fundraising are a perfect match, it brings the ‘fun’ and ‘raising awareness’ onto the world stage, and brings a few laughs with it too. On a serious note though, it’s a joy to be able to help others in need, especially when God blesses a positively charged middle-class male with a good family, good health, a little wealth and plenty of good times.

With this attitude, one lives life without counting dollars and cents, but counting sense in community partnership, in social justice and in personal success towards bridging the wide gap between being very poor and very rich, which means a lot more to me.

The prize at the end of the day for me is raising money for people less privileged than me, knowing that they are being looked after by Mission Australia. Regardless of whether you are first or last, the best part of reaching your destination is the long and winding but memorable road that leads you there."

Support our superheroes
If you’d like to get behind any of the teams running in support of Mission Australia – including those MA Team runners from our Sydney homeless services who are being coached by the Sydney Roosters - visit this page. You’ll also find links to other fundraising events, such as our 2011 Winter Sleepout.

Thoughtful support from Qantas staff

A huge thank you to all the Qantas staff who collected and donated hundreds of packs of toiletry items – enough to fill two Missionbeat vans – for distribution through our homelessness services.

The toiletry packs, along with financial donations collected from Qantas offices around the country, were presented to Mission Australia’s Missionbeat at a homeless week event held at Qantas’ Mascot headquarters on Friday.

The lunchtime event featured a performance by the Sydney Street Choir and warm meals on sale to staff, with all money going to Mission Australia’s homeless services.

Mission Australia’s CEO, Toby Hall, welcomed the generous contributions by Qantas’ staff and the organisation’s commitment to tackling homelessness.

“Homelessness remains one of Australia’s biggest social problems – around 105,000 people are homeless on any one night in this country,” said Mr Hall.

“We each have a role to play in tackling the problem – by making a donation to the homeless charity of your choice, by volunteering, or participating in a fundraising event.

“It’s terrific to see Qantas and its staff take that message to heart and really get behind an initiative that will make a difference in the lives of many homeless people around the country.

“It’s often overlooked, but essential toiletry items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, sanitary napkins, hair brushes, etc, play a crucial role in helping homeless people – particularly those sleeping rough – maintain their hygiene and self-confidence.

“Homelessness is an extremely isolating experience made even worse if you’re unable to clean your teeth or run a comb through your hair.”

Georgina Gaussen, CEO of Qantas Foundation said, “This Mission Australia appeal is a great initiative to get involved with and our people are very keen to throw their support behind the campaign.

“The simple act of donating toiletry items is a small effort that has big benefits for those who don’t necessarily have those day-to-day items that many of us take for granted. It is a stark reminder that we can all do our little bit to help Mission Australia make life for our homeless more bearable.”

Thanks again, Qantas, for your wonderful support!

Media Release: Worrying trend in homeless deaths reveals vulnerability of life on Sydney's streets

Daniel Strickland, Manager for Mission Australia’s homeless transport service, Missionbeat, says an estimated 10 homeless people have died in the last two months alone from a range of issues. In the last 12 months, an estimated 16 homeless people have died while another seven formerly homeless people have passed away. The main causes of death identified are related to substance abuse and chronic disease.

Mr Strickland said the deaths were concerning given the mortality rates of homeless people relative to the general population. He said the deaths reflected the vulnerability of homeless people, the increased risks associated with their situation and the impact long-term homelessness has on a person’s health.

“I’ve been working at the coalface of homelessness for nine years and I can’t recall seeing this many deaths among homeless people – and this is just in Sydney’s inner-city,” Mr Strickland said.

“It’s an extremely concerning development for our agencies and all those involved in providing services and support to homeless people in Sydney’s inner city.

“At an estimate, altogether more than 20 homeless or formerly homeless people have died in the inner city since late last year – it seems a much larger number than normal.

“Given the range of causes of death – from overdose, long term alcohol abuse and cancer as the most frequently occurring factors but also including assault, accident and suicide – it’s a stark reminder of how vulnerable homeless people are and how exposed to range of factors.

“Because of the transient nature of homeless people it’s very difficult to give an authoritative figure on the number of deaths, but based on our experience this seems to be an abnormally high number for a relatively small subset of the population.

“If this was another subset of the population you have to wonder if this number of deaths would go unnoticed. But because homeless people are often disconnected from family and community networks who might speak up for them it’s easy for a trend like this to slip under the radar.

“There’s no particular reason I can give for the apparent spike – it unfortunately seems to reflect what it is to be homeless in Sydney in 2011.

“As we move through winter, it’s a reminder to all of us, not just those on the frontline, but governments, businesses and the general public, just how tough it is out there and how much effort is needed to turn this situation around,” Mr Strickland said.

Media contact: Leanne Budd 0457 505 342

National Homeless Week stories and media coverage:

• Bold approach to homelessness will take 70 most vulnerable off streets
• Mission Australia warns battle for affordable housing continues among the homeless
• Beds to give away in unique project to help homeless South Australians
• Homeless service staff spend more hours assisting people with mental health than homelessness

Media coverage - SMH: Bold approach to homelessness will take 70 most vulnerable off streets

Seventy people who call the streets and underpasses of inner Sydney home will be put into permanent housing under a new scheme, as figures show a jump in the number of homeless.

Platform 70, a project supported by state and federal governments, will involve placing the rough sleepers from Woolloomooloo into heavily subsidised private rental accommodation, to be managed by community housing providers and supported by a range of social services.

Participants in the $2.8 million program have been identified by outreach program Way2Home.

Many of them suffer from a mental illness and substance or gambling addictions.

The Community Services Minister, Pru Goward, said the program was a bold approach that would not only provide housing but also address the issues which brought people to the streets.

''It will also reduce our reliance on high-cost options like crisis and transitional accommodation,'' she said.

The plan was announced a day after a City of Sydney homelessness count found about 118 people were sleeping out in the Woolloomooloo area, a rise of almost 40 per cent on last year.

This winter has seen an unusually high number of deaths among Sydney's homeless, according to Daniel Strickland from Mission Australia's Missionbeat service.

Based on information gathered by his and other homeless agencies, at least 10 inner Sydney homeless people have died in the past two months - a higher rate than he has seen in his nine years at Missionbeat.

The worrying trend was not necessarily down to the cold weather but to substance abuse, chronic disease as well as assault, suicide and accidents, Mr Strickland said. A list of 70 people for the new project has already been drawn up, Sylvia Grant, NSW state manager of NGO Neami, said. The organisation runs Way2Home and will visit tenants and provide support once they have been housed.

The community housing provider Bridge Housing will take on the leases from private landlords and sublet them to the clients, who will pay about 25 per cent of the market rent. Some will remain in the inner city but others will be helped return to their home suburbs or towns, where they will be matched with appropriate support services.

The Sydney lord mayor, Clover Moore, said the new project was "the most significant action on homelessness in decades".

She blamed recent increases in the number of people sleeping rough in Sydney on rising rents.

"It's very easy in Sydney if you do have an addiction or you're struggling with rent to end up here," she said.

This article was originally posted in the Sydney Morning Herald

Help Missionbeat reach out to rough sleepers

This National Homeless Persons’ Week, Mission Australia is launching an appeal to keep our iconic Missionbeat vans on the streets of Sydney.

Patrolling the city’s streets, alleyways and parks in vans and on bikes, Missionbeat outreach staff provide first aid, hand out blankets and swags, and offer support – and a friendly face - to find rough sleepers. They also help to organise a bed for the night and link homeless people with other support services.

With the public’s help, we aim to raise over $100,000 to keep the vital Missionbeat service on the streets this year and support more people like Hayley*.

Hayley turned to drugs as a way of coping when her parents' marriage was falling apart.

The 18-year-old became addicted to drugs and started experiencing severe mood swings. Fearing for the safety of their two younger children, Hayley’s parents kicked her out of home.

Missionbeat met Hayley earlier this year. We keep a look out for Hayley when patrolling the inner city to see if we can help her find a bed for the night. We are encouraging her to seek help to combat her drug addiction and rebuild the relationship with her family.

"Missionbeat is someone to talk to when there’s no one else," Hayley says.

To help Missionbeat reach out to more people like Hayley, please support our Missionbeat Appeal – so we can keep the vans on the street, and homeless people off them

*Name and image have been changed to protect the identity of the people we help.

Media coverage - The Southern Courier: Locals living rough

Homelessness is a serious issue in the Sydney suburb of Randwick, according to Labor councillor Tony Bowen, who will seek support for a public awareness campaign at a council meeting on 26 July.

Mr Bowen said he was alerted to the issue last year when a report tabled with the council’s social inclusion plan revealed Randwick City had the second-highest number of homeless people in the Sydney metropolitan region.

“Growing up in the area over the years I have seen an increase in homeless people and not just in the town centres but city-wide,” Cr Bowen said.

“I think a sign of our civilised society is how you treat your most vulnerable people, so anything we can do to help we should do it.”

Cr Bowen said the issue had been made worse by the closure of a number of boarding houses and rising property prices.

He said he would call on his fellow councillors’ support at the meeting next Tuesday to raise awareness of the plight of homeless people in Randwick and to inform people about ways they can help.

Mission Australia’s homeless outreach service, Missionbeat, patrols inner Sydney streets. Call them on 1800 306 461.

Readers were also invited to comment about the need to curb homelessness in Randwick on the Southern Courier website.

To comment visit this story at The Southern Courier

NAIDOC Week at the MAC

Community and unity were at the core of this year’s NAIDOC Week celebrations at Sydney’s MAC, writes the centre’s Aboriginal Community Development Worker Barry Duncan.

Kangaroo, crocodile and emu were on the menu while Aboriginal musicians Tim Gray and Vince and Michael West entertained 80 NAIDOC Week guests in glorious sunshine on the Mission Australia Centre (MAC) forecourt.

Robert ‘Sonny’ Edwards set the tone for the day when he welcomed participants to the lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation and trusted they would enjoy themselves and help in celebrating a diverse and beautiful culture.

Sonny then called on Mission Australia Operations Manager Lesley Butt to help him launch the celebrations by raising the Aboriginal Flag, which represents strength and unity to so many Aboriginal people and communities.

Mission Australia Centre Manager Diana Jazic reiterated Sonny's sentiment along with acknowledging visitors and staff contributions to the day. She said she hoped everyone would enjoy themselves and, in particular, view the amazing artwork of James Simon, an Indigenous artist from Redfern who uses a vibrant and visually stunning technique.

A traditional smoking ceremony led into dance performances by Terry Olson, one of the state’s most sought-after performers.

But more was to come when former MAC resident Tim Gray delighted the captive audience with some of the skills he acquired while studying an Advanced Diploma in music at Eora College, Redfern.

“If it had not been for this centre and its supportive staff I would still be walking the road of aimlessness and homelessness,” Tim said.

Tim has become one of many Indigenous success stories to emerge from one of many Mission Australia programs.

Koori Radio Station 93.7 Live and Deadly also conducted interviews on the day, with guests including Missionbeat Service Manager Daniel Petsalis, who praised the service’s Indigenous staff member Albert Torrens.

But the true highlight of the day was a superb bushtucker feed of kangaroo, emu and crocodile prepared by staff and visitors. It was heartily consumed by all, with many coming back for seconds, thirds and even fourths. Not bad considering it was the first taste of these delicacies for some.

Thank you - blanket drive for Missionbeat

Last Thursday our Missionbeat service manager, Dan Petsalis, put out a desperate plea for blankets via his Twitter network.

Within only a few hours Dan’s plea was re-Tweeted by organisations and individuals – reaching thousands of supporters and reported by channel 10 and channel 7 in Sydney reaching thousands more.

Our Missionbeat service has received hundreds blankets with hundreds more en-route to Missionbeat headquarters.

I want to express our deepest thanks to all the people who have collected blankets from their friends, their communities and their colleagues – from large organisations and small. Your contributions make an active and tangible difference to a human life.

These blankets will be distributed to the rough sleepers in the Sydney area whilst the Missionbeat vans are on patrol. We will also respond to the calls for assistance and calls for blankets directly from those clients that will be sleeping on the street, where accommodation wasn’t secured, and we follow-up again the next day.

In the Sydney city area there are about 400 people sleeping rough on any given night. Blankets don't last a person all winter due to issues around keeping them secure, clean and dry.

Cheers and God bless,

Toby Hall
CEO of Mission Australia

To donate a blanket, please contact Missionbeat directly on 1800 306 461 or drop off your blanket directly to the Missionbeat office located at Unit 1/1 Brompton Street, Marrickville NSW 2204.

Dan Petsalis thanked the public today in a short film. Use the player below to view or visit Mission Australia's Youtube channel.

Missionbeat nurse wins Nurse of the Year Award

Paul Esplin, a nurse who plays a vital role in our Missionbeat team, was honoured last Thursday at the Hesta Australian Nursing Awards.

Paul, who joined the team in 2008, won the Nurse of the Year Award at a gala dinner in Melbourne.

The Hesta Nursing Awards, now in their fifth year, acknowledge outstanding nurses, midwives, personal care attendants and assistants in nursing. As a finalist, Paul was judged on his exceptional contribution to improving care and outcomes for patients.

Paul is co-employed by St Vincent's Hospital and Mission Australia to provide frontline medical care for the many men and women who sleep rough in the city's streets.

He works alongside Missionbeat's Community Service Workers to help meet the medical, social, mental health and housing needs of homeless people - some who have been living on the streets for decades.

For Missionbeat Manager Daniel Petsalis, having Paul on the team has provided the perfect opportunity to engage with the city's rough sleepers.

"Paul has had a huge affect on the health and wellbeing of Sydney's rough sleepers," Daniel said. "The fact that he can address their health needs on the spot - whether it's by dressing a wound or organising a vitamin B or flu shot - has made such a difference."

Congratulations Paul on this fantastic award!

Above photo (L to R): Paul Esplin and Daniel Petsalis

Help Sydney’s homeless – donate a blanket today

For the thousands of Australians who are homeless, winter is an unbearable time, and something as simple as seasonal change can have devastating affects on homeless people's health.

Last night the temperature in Sydney fell below eight degrees – it is unimaginable to have to be without a home in the cold and have no way to keep warm.

Due to this cold snap in Sydney, Missionbeat has depleted its supply of blankets and we are asking for your urgent help to donate clean and useable blankets in the next 48hours.

To donate a blanket, please contact Missionbeat directly on 1800 306 461 or drop off your blanket directly to the Missionbeat office located at Unit 1/1 Brompton Street, Marrickville NSW 2204.

Missionbeat patrols inner Sydney streets seeking out those in distress and offering them support. The iconic vans transport homeless men, women, children, families and intoxicated or drug affected men and women to services to meet their immediate needs, including safe accommodation, medical care or food and clothing.

To make a blanket donation or find out more about how you can help, please contact Missionbeat on 1800 306 461. Your simple gesture could save someone’s life.

Read more about Mission Australia’s homeless services, and follow Daniel Petsalis, Missionbeat's Service Manager on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DanMISSIONBEAT

Missionbeat nurse up for top national honour

Paul Esplin, a nurse who plays a vital role in our Missionbeat team by attending to the medical needs of Sydney’s homeless, is in the running to be named Nurse of the Year.

The well-deserved finalist in the Hesta Australian Nursing Awards joined the team in 2008 as The Michael Project Nurse (Medibeat Nurse). He is co-employed by St Vincent’s Hospital and Mission Australia to provide frontline medical care for the many men and women who sleep rough in the city’s streets.

Paul works alongside Missionbeat’s Community Service Workers to help meet the medical, social, mental health and housing needs of homeless people – some who have been living on the streets for decades. The Missionbeat team patrols the streets from 7am to 11pm daily.

“If the Missionbeat workers are worried about someone’s health I drive out to see them,” he said. “It can be any from a very simple thing to a complex health matter.

“I’m very privileged to work with Missionbeat and Mission Australia – it’s a great organisation and the Missionbeat team does an extraordinary job in very difficult circumstances. I’m just another outreach nurse doing their bit.

“Of course, it’s a huge privilege to be nominated – but it also reflects the importance of The Michael Project.”

The Michael Project was a three-year initiative working that provided a comprehensive network of support for homeless men across Sydney and enabled Mission Australia to identify programs, services and policies to overcome homelessness.

For Missionbeat Manager Daniel Petsalis, having Paul on the team has provided the perfect opportunity to engage with the city’s rough sleepers.

“Paul has had a huge affect on the health and wellbeing of Sydney’s rough sleepers,” Daniel said. “The fact that he can address their health needs on the spot – whether it’s by dressing a wound or organising a vitamin B or flu shot – has made such a difference.

“Crucially, he’s assisting those people who may not get to a doctor or hospital, and getting patched up on the street can mean the difference between stopping an infection from spreading or saving a leg from being lost to gangrene.”

The Hesta Nursing Awards, now in their fifth year, acknowledge outstanding nurses, midwives, personal care attendants and assistants in nursing. As a finalist, Paul will be judged on his exceptional contribution to improving care and outcomes for patients.

He will find out if he is Nurse of the Year at a gala dinner in Melbourne on 12 May.

For Missionbeat information and video footage visit www.missionbeat.com.au

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Missionbeat in the news

Missionbeat Manager Daniel Petsalis’s use of Twitter to assist Sydney’s homeless has made the pages of this week’s Woman’s Day.

Daniel, who now has over 1,000 followers on Twitter, spoke of how he uses technology to raise not only raise awareness of the service but also reach out to those in need:

“One lady was thinking about taking her own life and sent me a message via Twitter,” he told Woman’s Day. “I was in the right place at the right time. It meant I could send someone to help her.”

To support Mission Australia’s Missionbeat call 1800 888 868 or go to the ‘Donate Now’ button at the top left of our website

New look for Missionbeat – a Sydney icon

Mission Australia’s iconic Missionbeat support vans have a new look, and now include features that ensure greater safety and visibility for the inner-city homeless outreach service.

Missionbeat, which has been supporting Sydney’s homeless of more than three decades, took delivery of two new Hyundai Imax vans this week thanks to significant funding from corporate supporters, including HSBC.

Today one of our new Missionbeat vans is on display at the entrance of the HSBC Building in George Street, Sydney - home to both HSBC and Mission Australia’s head offices.

"HSBC really admires the work that Missionbeat does in Sydney,” said Gavin Powell, HSBC Head of Global Markets on seeing the new van for the first time. “You've only got to speak to an handful of the people Missionbeat touches each day to understand what an incredibly valuable contribution it makes to Sydneysiders in need.

“HSBC is committed to supporting the communities in which we operate locally and globally and Missionbeat is an important part of our community work in Australia."

Updating the Missionbeat fleet provided a perfect opportunity to refresh the look of the service vehicles. The two new Hyundai vans, along with an existing Toyota Commuter, have undergone a full 'vehicle wrap' and are now sport a deep blue Sydney cityscape, the Missionbeat number (1300 306 461, which can be accessed nationally for the cost of a local call) in large, reflective red lettering, and emergency vehicle-style lighting that make them more visible by night.

The vans, which for the past decade have been predominately white, are well known to inner-city workers and residents. Driven by experienced Community Service Workers, Missionbeat vans patrol the streets from 7am to 11pm daily, seeking out people in distress and offering support.

Covering around 30,000 kilometres a year, the vans transport homeless men, women, children and families, and intoxicated or drug-affected people to support services that provide safe accommodation, medical care, food and clothing.

Missionbeat van drivers are joined by their outreach worker colleagues on bikes who criss-cross the city, talking to people sleeping rough in the alleys the vans are unable to access.

Daniel estimates that his team interacts with at least 50 people living on the streets each day, and expects the vans will transport about 20 people a day.

“Missionbeat is sometimes the only friendly face rough sleepers see – so that interaction means a lot,” said Missionbeat Manager Daniel Petsalis. “The friendship and trust our drivers and riders share with people on the streets is so important.

“The clients love the new van and our staff are chomping at the bit to drive it,” he added.

Community Service Worker Danielle May agreed that the new vans will make a big difference: “This van is very user-friendly and accessible to our clients – especially as the doorstep is lower and easier for people who are not quite as mobile to climb inside.”

A few of the rough sleepers who saw the van on its maiden run around Belmore Park and George Street were impressed, with comments ranging from “pretty cool” and “awesome” to “It shows how big your hearts are!”

You can follow Daniel’s daily rounds on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DanMISSIONBEAT

Homelessness facts:

• 16,375 people sleep rough in Australia each night – and of these, 3,559 will be in New South Wales. (Chamberlain & MacKenzie, 2008, Counting the Homeless 2006).
• On the last Census night (2006) nearly 105,000 people were homeless in Australia. And based on the Census, on any one night in Australia there are around 7,500 homeless families with children – comprising 26,790 people. Families make up 10% of all homeless households, but are a quarter (26%) of all homeless people.
• In 2007-08, on average 735 people were turned away from a government-funded homeless accommodation service each day. The majority needed accommodation within 24 hours. (AIHW 2009. ‘Demand for SAAP accommodation by homeless people 2007–08’)
• Recent data from government-funded accommodation services show an average of 81% of couples with children, 75% of couples without children and 71% of individuals with children who requested immediate accommodation are turned away each day. (AIHW, 2010, Demand for government-funded specialist homelessness accommodation 2008-09: A report from the SAAP National Data Collection.)
• In 2009-10, the reasons given for seeking accommodation at specialist homelessness services included domestic or family violence, relationship or family breakdown, financial difficulty, problematic drug/alcohol/substance use and mental health issues. (AIHW, 2010, Government-funded specialist homelessness services: SAAP National Data Collection annual report 2008-09 Australia.)

Spare a thought for the “hidden homeless” this Christmas

Of the 105,000 people who are homeless every night in Australia, about a quarter are families with children.

With this statistic, staff attending last week’s Westpac Christmas party in Sydney were reminded that not everyone had safe and secure homes to return to that night.

Before the end-of-year festivities, Westpac’s Head of Stakeholder Communications Sean Glover joined Mission Australia Community Services Executive Leader Lincoln Hopper and Missionbeat Manager Daniel Petsalis on stage to provide an insight into family homelessness.

The 20-minute discussion to raise awareness about this “hidden homelessness” came a week after Westpac and Mission Australia launched a partnership to combat family homelessness.

“What makes it [family homelessness] worse is that eight out of 10 families can’t be helped and that tears the fabric of Australia apart,” Mr Hopper said. “It’s a horrible problem that we have to solve and thankfully we are starting to make inroads into that.”

Mr Hopper said a lack of affordable housing was a central cause of family homelessness, but the loss of a job, a financial setback, divorce and mental health problems contributed.

“If you don’t have a job and you’re homeless it’s awfully difficult to find another one. Your kids won’t be going to school, and it’s going to be difficult to do anything but try to search for somewhere to live. That repeated day in and day out takes people into a spiral,” he said.

“People start to rely on the family and friends network… but after a couple of months you’re going to wear out your welcome.”

Mr Petsalis recalled a homeless mother and five children who “outwore their welcome” with family a few days before Christmas 2009: “I made the trip out to pick up her and her five kids. And being a dad of four kids of similar age and knowing this Christmas these kids were not going to be spending it at home, and there was going to be 12,000 kids Santa wouldn’t find, it was sad to see…”

Fortunately, Mission Australia placed the family in accommodation before Christmas and linked them to support services. “It was just by that contact with us that we were able to start that ball rolling, because they were going to hit the streets the next day,” Mr Petsalis said.

Westpac staff were moved to tears when Leslie Butt, Mission Australia Operations Manager Adult Accommodation and Support, shared a poignant story about a young family she assisted at Fairfax House – an accommodation service in Sydney’s west for families in crisis.

“I know how heartbreaking it is to see anyone that’s homeless, but if you’ve ever experienced seeing a homeless child, a homeless family and not be touched by that… Everybody wants to have good things for their families.

For the past eight months, the family had been living in temporary housing and in their car, so they were relieved that a two-bedroom unit was available to them:

“The car had broken down and wasn’t on the road so they had to come in by train and all their belongings were in plastic bags,” Lesley recalled. “And I remember this little girl, she would probably only be about four, came up the pathway dragging her little bag and said ‘Can I stay here?’

“I said ‘Of course darling you can stay, and she was so happy. It stuck in my mind that a little four-year-old girl was asking to stay with her belongings in a rubbish bag.

You can help Mission Australia to overcome family homelessness by supporting our Christmas Appeal.

Daniel makes the Sydney Magazine’s Top 100

Mission Australia’s own Daniel Petsalis, Service Manager - Homeless Support Services, has been named as one of Sydney's Top 100 Influential People by the (sydney) magazine, which is out today.

Daniel, who manages the iconic Missionbeat service that supports homeless people in the inner-city, was selected by a panel of 40 judges after being recommended by members of the community – including his Twitter followers.

Daniel said he was honoured to be selected for the category of Community People. “It was quite difficult to keep this information to myself,” said Daniel.

On Monday night he attended a celebration with his fellow ‘Influential People’, including scientists, lawyers, astronomers, software developers, people from the hospitality field, media personalities and politicians.

“I was amazed and humbled by how many people wanted to talk about Mission Australia and how many people wanted to come out and see how we assist homeless and disadvantaged people on the streets of Sydney,” Daniel said.

Since joining Twitter two years ago, Daniel has built up a following of more than 1,000 people who follow his daily tweets.

“Through Twitter I have had contacts with lots of people that have become involved with our service, through fundraising activities, service visits, or who have even become ambassadors for Mission Australia,” Daniel said.

“I regularly receive responses to my tweets from politicians, celebrities, sports stars and also wonderful everyday people.”

You can follow Daniel on www.twitter.com/DanMISSIONBEAT and read more about his work in the new issue of the (sydney) magazine, which is available today in Sydney metro newsagencies and to subscribers of The Sydney Morning Herald in New South Wales.

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Extract from today's article:

As a police officer in the inner west, Daniel Petsalis's involvement with the homeless and disadvantaged was often limited to arresting them. That changed eight years ago when he became Missionbeat's manager of Homeless Support Services, running the crisis vans that transport those sleeping rough to safe accommodation and medical care. "I was in a position to help the same group longer term," he says.

"To delve into their lives." In the past two years, Petsalis, 34, has become a crucial player in The Michael Project, which is making mobile, streetbased medical services such as occupational therapy and outreach nursing possible, thanks to a $5 million donation Preliminary data from the project will help provide the organisation with evidencebased research they've lacked to help both homeless service provision and lobbying efforts.

In 2010, part two of the project started in Parramatta. "We have the first 28 clients ready to go into permanent accommodation," says Petsalis

"You can't explain the look on someone's face when they get house keys for the first time."

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And the beat goes on - new video features the Missionbeat Bike service in Sydney

Missionbeat's latest service is mobilised by mountain bikes, giving outreach workers a greater ability to provide critical support to homeless people while also reducing carbon emissions.

The Daily Telegraph's new video And the beat goes on features the staff at work as they ride the beat in Sydney - view it now at this link

“The new Missionbeat Bike service will allow us to help more people sleeping rough in more places around the Sydney CBD and shrink our ecological footprint at the same time,” said Leonie Green, Mission Australia’s NSW State Director when the service was launched in 2009.

“People sleeping rough are often tucked away out of site, not only to try to maintain a skerrick of privacy but also to avoid getting drenched when it rains or suffer blistering sunburn.

“By putting our outreach workers on bikes, we’re ensuring people living around the streets and stairwells, alcoves and doorways of Sydney will have access to services offering basic medical care and safe accommodation.

"We’ll also have a much better chance of knowing if they need urgent care and we’ll have faster response times than by simply driving around the streets.”

The bikes, helmets and uniforms were purchased with a grant from the Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP Salary Trust.

Cr Moore and the Deputy Lord Mayor, Cr Marcelle Hoff, donate their Lord Mayoral and Deputy Lord Mayoral fees to the Trust, which has provided grants worth more than $650,000 to charities that help people rebuild their lives, promote animal welfare and support community environmental and sustainability initiatives.

"Homeless person's theatre company" to premiere new show

Milk Crate Theatre, Australia’s only theatre company solely dedicated to people from homeless and disadvantaged backgrounds is preparing for their upcoming show, Intersection.

The new show, opening in August, will rove between three cities with the finale held in Sydney's Taylor Square.

"It is a collision of epic Greek tragedy, interactive dialogue and city tour of homeless hotspots" according to Katy Coote from Milk Crate Theatre.

"It will involve up to 40 homeless and disadvantaged participants including the Sydney Street Choir performing alongside professional actors."

The new show deals with "the moments where your life changes course - by tracking the intersection between two people, James and Sally, who meet one night at a crisis shelter."

"Ultimately, it is a story about connection, the power of reaching out when things are tough, and how we can be stronger together than if we’re alone.

"We have offered our community performers an opportunity to choose between two levels of commitment and intensity: the Shadows Group – open to anyone in transition, homeless, formerly homeless or disadvantaged. Rehearsals will be for 2 hrs per week for 2 weeks then 5 hrs per week for 5 weeks leading up to the performances; and the Figures Group - open to existing Milk Crate Theatre members and upon completion of a 2-day intensive acting workshop. Rehearsals will be for 10 hrs per week for 11 weeks leading up to the performances. This group will include a pilot education accreditation in partnership with TAFE NSW Outreach."

Mission Australia homeless services like Missionbeat and The Michael Project have been long-term supporters of Milk Crate Theatre, for it's ability to help homeless and disadvantaged people build communication skills and confidence through public performance.

For tickets sales and more information, click on the graphic below or visit www.milkcratetheatre.com

To read Mission Australia's past Milk Crate Theatre news, click here

Shhhh….Let’s HUSH to help homeless Australians

Ten days to go until HUSH for Homelessness - Friday, 14 May 2010

Who knew giving your friends, family and workmates the silent treatment could help so many people?

It’s only ten days until Mission Australia’s HUSH for Homelessness so it’s now time to join in!

Symbolising the 'voiceless' lives that homeless Australians lead, HUSH for Homelessness is Australia’s biggest annual fundraising event to tackle homelessness.

On any given night in Australia, almost 105,000 men, women and children are homeless with a staggering 43% aged under 25 years*.

Mission Australia is asking you to challenge yourself or someone else to experience what it’s like to be voiceless on Friday, 14 May. It’s easy to get involved. Participants are simply asked to be silent for an hour or more and to seek sponsorship from family, friends and workmates for their efforts.

“This year, we are also encouraging people to go online to nominate who you would most like to ‘HUSH’ on Friday 14 May,” says Mission Australia’s CEO Toby Hall.

“It’s a fun way of asking people to put their money where their mouth is – to ‘zip it’ for an hour on HUSH for Homelessness day.

“We feel that by being silent for an hour or more, participants obtain a glimpse of the voiceless lives Australia’s homeless face on a day to day basis – gaining greater understanding of their plight – while at the same time raising funds for this important cause.”

All money raised will go to Mission Australia’s services providing crisis care, transitional or medium-term accommodation and essential support for homeless men, women and children. For information and to register please visit: www.hushforhomelessness.com.au

For more information and images, please contact: Sally Popplestone, Media Co-ordinator Mission Australia
M: 0415 547 626.
E: popplestones@missionaustralia.com.au

*ABS 2008. Counting the Homeless, 2006. Australian Census Analytic Program.

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Visit to Wenona Junior School

Rupert, our cheeky HUSH ambassador, along with friends Joy Hopwood and Dan Petsalis of Missionbeat, visited Sydney's Wenona Junior School last Thursday to speak at the school assembly about HUSH for Homelessness 2010.

Last year Wenona Junior School raised over $6,000 for HUSH and hope to beat their record this year - many thanks to all involved for a fantastic contribution to the cause!

Appearing in photo (left to right):
Year 5 students: Anna Mansfield, Hannah Lawton, Rhiannon Lloyd, Isabella Rooney.
Back: Dan Petsalis, Missionbeat manager, Rupert, Joy Hopwood and Mark Case, the student's Year 5 teacher.

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University 'Food for Fines' campaign supporting MA homeless services

Over Christmas the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) swapped food for fines at UTS Libraries in Haymarket and Lindfield.

While fines need to be imposed in libraries to encourage sharing of the University's resources, staff from the UTS Lending Services saw an opportunity to help the broader community and change the perception associated with fines.

The solution came in the form of the 'Food for Fines' initiative, involving the waiving of library fines in exchange for a food donation. UTS Libraries waived up to $30 worth of fines per person, and collected 13 large boxes of non-perishable foodstuffs - all generously donated to Mission Australia.

Many staff and students at the universities even donated food items when they didn’t have fines.

One UTS lecturer commented. “What a good idea! You've brightened up my day and made UTS an even nicer place to work.”

Stephen Fardouly from UTS Lending Services said that Mission Australia was their logical charity-of-choice "as many of the students at the Haymarket campus are familiar with homeless people sleeping rough in the local area and were aware of Mission Australia's homelessness services such as Missionbeat," he said.

The initiative proved to be a great success, with the libraries set to run the initiative again later in 2010.

Good news story - connecting a young homeless man with accommodation

Mission Australia's Missionbeat service recently received a call from a concerned inner-west resident reporting a “young guy” sleeping in the garage area of her unit block.

Missionbeat driver Kane Lunn attended to the call.  "I attended the location and on-arrival spoke to the caller and another neighbour who both expressed concern about the client’s presence and welfare.

"The police had attended several times. They had moved the client on but on each occasion he had returned to the same location. The neighbour was going to call the police again if Missionbeat were unable to assist," said Kane.

When Kane first approached the client, he was sleeping on an old, dirty mattress and only had a thin blanket to keep warm.  As the police continually 'moved him on' he had been braving the rain for some time and was suffering from a bad bout of the 'flu.

After a little conversation Kane found he was twenty-one years old and had been on the streets since he was fourteen. He had recently served a prison term and was only released three weeks before.

Upon release he was unaware of the support services he could go to for help, and was hesitant of homeless accommodation services after a previous bad experience with fellow residents.

"He was very reluctant to speak to me at first and was quite firm in not wanting to go anywhere.  Fortunately, I was able to spend some time chatting with him (and offer him an orange juice). Slowly he opened up and became more trusting. Eventually, he agreed for us to provide transport to a drop-in centre in inner Sydney"

Kane escorted the young man to the drop-in centre (temporary crisis accommodation), briefing the staff on his situation and imploring them to do their best to find him a long-term placement.  Kane was thrilled when Missionbeat received the call a few hours later from the centre that the young man would require transport to longer-term accommodation.

Even though only a few hours had passed, Kane noticed a marked difference in the young man when he arrived at the drop-in centre to pick him up.

"I met a happier young man, who had been fed and was looking forward to a warm night's sleep."

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Missionbeat has recently celebrated their 30-year anniversary.  To mark the occasion a fundraiser is currently underway - to support this service into the future more information is available at the Missionbeat fundraising page.