HOMELESSNESS Awareness Week was marked with a range of services and organisations set up on Town Green in Port Macquarie on Friday 7 August.
There was a warm, welcoming buzz with stall holders mingling, Rotary Club West hosting a BBQ, Make a Difference serving coffee, a drumming circle as part of the YPSpace, music, raffles and lots of giveaways.
There are approximately 116 people in Port Macquarie who are experiencing homelessness.
Jason Berry from New Horizons, is working in the homelessness space supporting and securing tenancies in the Hastings – in Laurieton, Wauchope and Port Macquarie.
There are also hubs in Kempsey and Coffs Harbour.
New Horizons has taken the lead with Homelessness Awareness Week this year and Mr Berry was pleased with the intimate event, which allowed people to walk through and enquire about what services were available.
“We work across a range of areas for those at risk of losing a tenancy or in a vulnerable position needing to find a tenancy,” Mr Berry said.
“It is important for our community to understand that there are agencies around and there are a lot of people and organisations who can help.”
St Agnes’ Community Centre (previously Youth and Community Hub) provides a safe and welcoming place for people to return to when they need support.
Anne O’Brien, Deputy CEO of St Agnes’ Parish, spoke about the need for housing and wellbeing support for the vulnerable in our community.
“We are very lucky to have great partnerships with St Vincent de Paul, Sister Marjorie’s Soup Kitchen and Make a Difference to support the breakfast program five days a week,” Ms O’Brien said.
“We also provide the opportunity for people to have showers, do their laundry and have a cuppa and a chat with the manager of our centre who can connect them to many different services.”
YP Space MNC (YPS) is a specialist Youth Homelessness Service working in Port Macquarie Hastings and Kempsey Macleay.
Sarah Moss said that YPS provided support and accommodation to children and young people aged 12 to 25 years who were at risk of homelessness or are homeless.
“We have refuges in Port Macquarie and Kempsey, with access for five young people in each location,” Ms Moss said.
‘Ngurra’, formerly a caravan park in Belgrave Street in Kempsey, provides temporary housing in six cabins for young people over 17 experiencing homelessness.
”We work a lot with families and carers to get young people back home, to maintain their home,” Ms Moss said.
“We want families to stay together and we work tirelessly to make that happen, walking alongside young people, being that beacon of light.”
By Pauline CAIN
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