On Monday 8th August, the 2016 Western Sydney Homeless Connect (WSHC) was held at Parramatta Town Hall and Centenary Square, as part of Parramatta Homeless Persons Week with a record attendance of an estimated 2500 people. Now in its fourth year WSHC has continued to grow in size and in its value to the Western Sydney community. There was overwhelming support for WSHC 2016, a reflection of the growing issue of homelessness and the number of people at risk of homelessness. Over 50 volunteers and 50 support providers came together to provide real support for people experiencing homelessness.
WSHC gave out:
2600 meals from Bunnings Warehouse North Parramatta and Outback Steakhouse Wentworthville, Rapid Relief Team (RRT) and Soul Origin Westfield Parramatta
1000 care packs
1500 cups of barista made coffee from RRT and Soul Origin
242 health checks by Western Sydney University nursing and midwifery students
30 dental checks
110 haircuts from HairAid volunteers.
We also know that 32 of our support providers made 1602 connections with our homeless or at risk homeless guests. Dignitaries attending WSHC to show their support and speak with many of the 50 support providers included, Amanda Chadwick, City of Parramatta Administrator; Minister Brad Hazzard the NSW Minister for Family and Community Services and the Minister for Social Housing; Tania Mihailuk MP, Shadow Minister for Family and Community Services, Social Housing, Mental Health, Medical Research; Dr Geoff Lee, NSW Member for Parramatta; Andrea Galloway CEO of Evolve Housing - Western Sydney Homeless Connect partner, along with celebrity interior designer, James Treble, as seen on Channel TENS, The Living Room.
Andrea Galloway, CEO Evolve Housing speaking with Steve Butel, WSHC co-founder said Evolve Housing was delighted to partner with WSHC as the project lead for the second year. "As a Western Sydney community housing provider we also help the disadvantaged and vulnerable overcome homelessness to empower them on their journey to greater independence," said Ms Galloway.
"In NSW alone homelessness has grown 20.4% since 2006. These statistics paint a picture of the sad reality of homelessness in Australia and this year's Census is expected to reveal confronting statistics that show a national housing crisis that continues to grow. With no address, no connections to services or even knowledge of what support services are available people will continue to sleep rough but events like WSHC can help change that," said Ms Galloway. Jody Gould, WSHC Steering committee member and Marketing and Communications Manager, Evolve Housing said that 2016 Western Sydney Homeless Connect was the most successful event yet. "There were countless smiles, hugs and conversations shared with our guests and looking around I'm not sure who got more out of that experience volunteers or the guests. The positive difference we all made in the Western Sydney community in just one day was the reward," said Mrs Gould.
"The WSHC event has become a vital Western Sydney community event powered 100% by volunteers, donations and sponsors. With no major sponsor we rely on the generosity of the Western Sydney community but as the housing crisis grows so does our need for sponsorship. We are committed to ensuring WSHC continues to provide for Western Sydney's homeless and disadvantaged so we can help them break the cycle of homelessness connecting them with the right services that can help them on their journey to greater independence and a better quality of life." ​- Jody Gould
Evolve Housing has volunteered as the project lead for Western Sydney Homeless Connect (WSHC) in 2015 and 2016. WSHC is an annual event helping the homeless or those at risk overcome the cycle of homelessness and disadvantage. WSHC is powered by donations, sponsors and volunteers and this community event builds, strengthens and unites the Western Sydney business and community network. WSHC event is an opportunity to connect people experiencing disadvantage in the community with support services in one place to help them break the cycle of homelessness.
In the past 2 years WSHC has connected with 3,500 people in the Western Sydney community. Since Evolve became a partner with WSHC in 2015 connections have been established with the Western Sydney support provider network to grow attendance from 1,000 in 2014 to a record attendance of 2,500 in 2016.
In 2016 Evolve Housing established a WSHC Steering committee to ensure the longevity of the event and to ensure the event is providing the right level of support for people experiencing homelessness and disadvantage in our community. Find out more about Western Sydney Homeless Connect by visiting the website here.