Responding to homelessness in Ballina and Lismore
Early last month, we joined with a host of other local service providers and passionate people to bring some support to people experiencing homelessness in our own communities throughout Ballina and Lismore.
We came together for the day at Kentwell Community Centre in Ballina and the following week at The Winsome Hotel in Lismore to get some love and practical support to people experiencing homelessness.
There was a whole stack of services and supports available, all of them free to the people we were there to support. New and second hand clothing, haircuts, housing services, tents, sleeping bags, food parcels, showers, financial support, medical checks and community transport were all available. Our social enterprise Cart Cafe was there too, offering free coffees and snacks.
There were service providers, TAFE students learning about service provision and passionate members of the public all joining with people experiencing homelessness to connect, share and support. There was free entertainment, community lunch and a great collaborative atmosphere. Local TV and radio media even dropped by to cover the story, raising awareness of the problems people experiencing homelessness face in our own communities.
The photo here shows Tash and Renee providing free services and advice for people in Ballina who are experiencing homelessness.
We’re proud to have contributed to these events and continue to provide a range of support services to people who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness.
