Parramatta city remembers homeless
On census night 2006, 170 people were recorded homeless in the Parramatta local government area.
Of those, seventy eight were living in improvised dwellings, tents or sleeping out; 35 people were living in boarding houses or hostels; and 57 people were staying in hostels, night shelters and refuges.
As Homeless Persons Week was launched in Parramatta City Mall on Sunday, August 2nd, ANGLICARE joined other community organisations and churches in an effort to spark public awareness and express support for people living through a time of crisis and instability.
The annual Bikers Australia Blanket Run arrived with their donations which were received and distributed by ANGLICARE.
Statistics tend to miss a large number of homeless, and local support providers estimate the real figure to be between 200-300 people every night.
Other trends have been identified in the Australian Government’s White Paper on Homelessness: above all, it is young people aged 12 – 18 who are the largest group experiencing homelessness.
Working with youth is the area upon which ANGLICARE Sydney has its focus through a Street Outreach program based in Parramatta City.
ANGLICARE responds with practical support (food, clothing, referrals) and the offer of mentoring.
“Often the relationships young people have with the adults in their lives have been broken and are beyond repair,” says Stan Small, ANGLICARE’s program manager.
“The Street Outreach team offer support, encouragement and input as adults who care about them and their future.”
Other organisations providing support at the launch were “Stepping Stone” – a mobile food ministry run by Parramatta Baptist Church and Christ Church Pendle Hill; and St John’s Anglican Church. The day was sponsored by Parramatta City Council.
