Over the past 12 months, we have increased our focus on assisting people to stay in their homes by easing the financial burden of putting food on the table. At a time when living costs are challenging for many people, this is a critical step in homelessness prevention.
Food relief not only reduces a person’s weekly grocery bill, importantly, collecting the meals from a community centre such as PCYC also provides access to additional support services if needed.
Dignity has distributed 54,500 food relief meals in the last 12 months, a 27% increase in meals on the previous year. Sadly, the growing demand for food relief is indicative of the growth in number of people living on the edge of homelessness.
In an effort to meet the demand, we are planning to increase the number of meals we distribute into the community considerably and we are very thankful to our Food Relief partner, Youfoodz, who are showing their commitment to Australians in need by doubling the number of meals they donate each month to 3,000 meals.
This month, Dignity was fortunate enough to receive a grant as part of the Australian Government’s 2022-2023 Volunteer Grant initiative to help us support our volunteers, who prepare home-made meals, to carry out the important work that they do.
We welcomed Federal Member for Fowler, Dai Le, to PCYC Liverpool to learn more about how food relief impacts communities in the local and surrounding areas.
Each year, Homelessness Week aims to raise awareness of the causes and impact of homelessness in Australia. In Australia, there are over 122,494 people experiencing homelessness on any given night.
We are taking this opportunity to share the latest facts and statistics about who is experiencing homelessness, why people become homeless and how, through collaboration, we can end homelessness in Australia.
1 in 7 people experiencing homelessness are children under 12
23% of people experiencing homelessness are aged between 12 and 24
1 in 5 people experiencing homelessness are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people
Only 6.2% of people without a home are sleeping rough. The rest are considered the ‘hidden homelessness’ – for example, this includes people in crisis accommodation, overcrowded dwellings or couch surfing.
People experience homelessness for many different reasons and no two stories are the same. So what are some of the reasons someone may find themselves without a safe place to stay?
52% of people seeking homelessness services say issues with housing or finances, such as the affordability of rent, are the main reason they need help
28% cite family violence or other violence and abuse as the main reason they need help
5% cite other family relationship issues
15% cite other issues
Collaboration is the answer! When government, homelessness support and other services, charities, businesses and the community come together, we can achieve so much more and this collaborative effort can end homelessness. To solve the issues surrounding homelessness people require:
Access to employment and adequate incomes
A home (affordable and accessible)
Freedom from violence and abuse
Effective support to gain and retain housing
At Dignity, we have a focus on programs that provide stable housing, access to employment and the wrap-around support needed to break the cycle of homelessness and empower people to find their path forward and not look back.
We were excited to show ABC News through Dignity’s Ready To Work Housing to demonstrate the impact this new program is having on the lives of our new residents.
Ready To Work is not just about providing stable housing, it aims to increase affordability through employment and wrap around services to empower those who are ready to work to break the cycle of homelessness.
Innovative, new program provides people experiencing homelessness with housing, an employment opportunity and support to break the cycle of homelessness and increase housing affordability.
Nationally recognised homelessness services charity, Dignity, has today launched Ready To Work Housing, in partnership with Fantastic Furniture. This innovative and unique program provides 22 people who are experiencing homelessness with safe, stable housing for up to 12 months; an employment opportunity; and on-site support to ensure participants have the wrap-around support they need to progress through the program and increase housing security.
Homelessness can happen to anyone and more than 116,000 Australians are experiencing homelessness on any given night. Homelessness is a problem that Dignity believes can be solved through collaboration and by empowering people in crisis to restore their dignity.
With a vision of scaling its impact in the homelessness sector, Dignity developed the new Ready To Work Housing program in collaboration with the program’s major sponsor Fantastic Furniture and other companies in the business sector; government and non-government agencies; and charity partners, to address the barriers people experiencing homelessness face finding employment.
“Ready To Work has been designed to drive lasting reductions in the number of Australians experiencing homelessness as well as increasing affordability. At a time when housing is simply unaffordable for many people, the Ready To Work program empowers residents to break the cycle of homelessness for good.”
Dignity CEO, Suzanne Hopman
The 22 brand-new Ready To Work studio units are located in Campbelltown, NSW, and fully furnished by program partner Fantastic Furniture and appliances supplied by the Winnings Group. A common room and garden will encourage a sense of community among residents with BBQ facilities, vegetable garden and Dignity Food Relief freezers stocked with volunteer-made meals.
Fantastic Furniture CEO and Dignity Chair, Kieron Ritchard, commented, “Fantastic Furniture has been a long-time partner and supporter of Dignity and this program aligned with our belief that every Australian deserves a home that’s safe, happy and sustainable. We know securing and maintaining employment is key to sustainable transitions out of homelessness and into stable housing and that is the end goal of the program.”
“Not only were we able to provide the furniture to make these new units feel like an inviting new home, but we have also provided employment opportunities for the new residents and they are proving to be Fantastic employees.”
Fantastic Furniture CEO, Kieron Ritchard
Addressing the barriers that many people experiencing homelessness face, Ready To Work participants are provided with everything they need for their 12-month housing placement and new job. This includes a mobile phone with free data and calls, internet connection in their unit and access to a new wardrobe of clothes, shoes and accessories thanks to our charity partner, Thread Together. The on-site ‘Dressing Room’ contains clothes suitable for all occasions including interview attire, work gear, and casual clothing.
Ready To Work Housing Resident
Ready To Work Housing program participant, John* said, “I was living in my car, I had nowhere to go. Dignity has not only helped get me out of my car and off the streets, they’ve helped me get back into work and that means a lot. The support that they’ve given me, and this program is amazing. And I love my job! Each day I’m so excited about going to work.”
We are so excited to announce our new partnership with Youfoodz! Over the last few months, this partnership has enabled us to expand our Food Relief program nationally to support more people in need than ever before.
Youfoodz meals will supplement our volunteer-made meals in times of greater need and will supply interstate Food Relief program partners monthly. The team have already generously donated over $75,000 worth of delicious, freshly made meals and we are very grateful that through this partnership we can provide more ready-meals free of charge to people in the community doing it tough.
Since establishing their partnership in August 2021, ready-made meals brand Youfoodzhas donated 1,500 healthy and hearty meals each month to Dignity, supporting their Food Relief Program which has now expanded to community centres around the country, directly assisting those at-risk of homelessness.
“We have been proud to donate over 1,500 meals a month and, to date we’ve donated over $75,000 worth, and for us that’s just the start. We’re really excited to embark on a new year, to continue to support, help grow and expand with Dignity, and help more and more Australians in need.”
Youfoodz Founder & CEO Lance Giles
In the spirit of giving, Youfoodz is using their platform to raise awareness and to encourage the community to get behind Dignity and those experiencing homlessness this Christmas and beyond.
In addition to monthly ready-made meal donations, this Christmas Youfoodz is donating $1 for every online order placed between 16th – 22nd December towards meals for Dignity, feeding those most in-need around the country.
Dignity Food Relief Freezer
For opening times and locations of Dignity’s Food Relief outlets, view the directory.
We all know that recycling is great for the planet, but did you know that when you recycle cans and bottles at Return and Earn machines, you can also help people experiencing homelessness?
Simply download the myTOMRA app, press charities and choose Dignity’s Homelessness Care Packs campaign when you recycle. 100% of funds raised from the containers you recycle will provide care packs for men, women and children experiencing homelessness.
The Real Estate Institute of NSW (REINSW) has named Dignity as their Community Partner for 2021.
The Real Estate Institute of New South Wales is the peak industry body for real estate agents and property professionals in NSW. The largest and most influential association of its kind in NSW, REINSW represents thousands of agents across the state.
As part of this very exciting partnership, REINSW will contribute a portion of funds raised at events throughout the year to assist Dignity to empower people to prevent, respond and end homelessness.
“A huge thank you to the REINSW team, we are so excited to be partnering with you,”
Dignity Representative
Read more about the partnership on page 20 of the latest issue of the REINSW Journal.
As a recipient of CCAF’s Employee Connected Grant, Dignity will provide additional support to youth experiencing homelessness with the grant funding set to lessen the burden of homelessness for families in need.
The CCAF is dedicated to creating possibilities for a brighter, more sustainable future for Australians today and generations to come. In 2020, the CCAF selected Dignity as one of its Employee Connected Grant Partners, donating $25,000 to help us make a difference where it counts, particularly during Covid-19.
Youth aged 12-18 years account for 10% of people experiencing homelessness, with a total of 10,913* youth recorded as homeless on census night in 2016. The CCAF Employee Grant will directly benefit this group with the youth of families staying in Dignity’s supported temporary accommodation provided with specific support based on their individual needs. This support will include access to technology through the provision of devices, assistance with school supplies and educational needs and transportation assistance for families when required.
“At Dignity, empowering people experiencing homelessness is at the core of what we do and having the opportunity to tailor individual support for children of families dong it tough enables them to take back some control of their situation. Whether that is owning a device to assist with schoolwork or stay connected with friends or receiving educational support in the form of tutoring. The smiles on their faces show how grateful these kids are at such an uncertain time in their lives.”
Dignity CEO Suzanne Hopman
In addition, the CCAF Employee Grant funding will enable Dignity’s team of support staff to enhance their support skills specifically for children who have experienced trauma.
Dignity has expanded its Food Relief program to reach those in need in South Western Sydney, with the announcement of a partnership with the Southwest Multicultural and Community Centre (SWMACC).
Located in Minto, SWMACC is a community-based, not-for-profit organisation that delivers tailored-made community programs to the diverse communities of South West Sydney. As a result of the partnership, the centre’s services will now include food relief with homemade, frozen ready meals available to those within the community facing financial hardship.
Dignity’s Food Relief Program was created to assist people in need and to ease the financial burden of putting food on the table. Prepared by a team of Dignity Dishes volunteers, the program diverts fresh produce, supplied by OzHarvest and Second Bite, destined for landfill to the dining tables of people who need it most.
“At Dignity, we provide a range of innovative services that empower people experiencing homelessness or at risk of experiencing homelessness. Our Food Relief program is a good example of this and partnerships with community-based organisations such as SWMACC ensures easy access to meals for vulnerable members of the community already being supported at the centret.”
Dignity CEO Suzanne Hopman
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing requirements, those in need of support should call Mal and her team to organise a suitable time for collection of meals on (02) 9603 2500 or 040 728 1245. SWMACC is located at 4 Surrey Street, Minto.
Last month, Dignity announced a similar partnership with PCYC NSW with homemade ready meals available in the Southern Highlands, Shoalhaven, Parramatta and Hornsby areas.
For opening times and locations of Dignity Food Relief outlets, view the Food Relief Directory.
PCYC NSW and Dignity collaborate to bring Dignity’s Food Relief program to several NSW clubs in regions where people are experiencing economic and housing hardship.
Dignity’s Food Relief program is available at four PCYC NSW clubs – PCYC Southern Highlands, PCYC Shoalhaven, PCYC Parramatta and PCYC Hornsby / Kur-ring-gai – and is free to those who need it.
All meals are home-cooked by volunteers and use fresh produce supplied by Oz Harvest and Second Bite that was destined for landfill.
“With 64 clubs across NSW, PCYC NSW is able to get a broad picture of how people across the state are faring. Unfortunately, we know that a lot of people are suffering at the moment. Things we can take for granted, such as a homemade meal and fresh produce, become out of reach when employment is uncertain or lost. We are fortunate to be able to give assistance where we can with the aid of Dignity. ”
PCYC NSW CEO, Dominic Teakle
For opening times and locations of Dignity Food Relief outlets, view the Food Relief Directory.
