The Cold raw Truth of Homelessness

Stories about the homeless became the raw truth when Rachel spoke at the Hills Winter Sleepout held at Bella Vista Farm on Saturday 13 August.

“I was homeless. I was living on the street seven years ago this month”. Rachel started life in a happy, normal environment with her parents and grandparents, which turned upside down at 12 when her parents split up. After leaving home, her world shrank even more.

By 25 she had four small children living in an unsafe situation. Rachel became homeless and the children became wards of the state. Her life became a number, she was moved around, had false reports against her, was looked upon as “a bad person”.

At 42, she was introduced to The Big Issue. The magazine, started 26 years ago, is sold by people who have endured difficult times. Rachel spoke in a whisper, had no confidence, but with encouragement, she donned the little red cap and said: “I now have my own little spot which I call my business.

It gives me time to see myself and connect with community. Most importantly I’ve gained respect and confidence to lead a better life”. As Rachel started to enjoy herself, she was plagued by epileptic fits and PTSD due to a brain injury suffered in her earlier life. Rachel had to start again, but with courage she has learnt to adapt it into her life. She goes out, sells The Big Issue but doesn’t have to pretend anymore. As she says “we are we”.

‘CS’, a woman suffering extreme violence at home wondered how she was going to survive with her disabled son and twins. She has been given support by Hills Community Aid (HCA) through its Hills Homeless Prevention Initiative (HHPI), part of HCA’s financial ‘wrap around’ programs aligned with supportive organisations.

This has given ‘CS’ financial counselling, and emergency relief with food vouchers and has helped to find a home for herself and her three children. Mici Beer, Executive Officer, HCA, said ‘CS’ wanted to send a huge message of thanks to everyone for such life-changing help.

Mici spoke about the distressing statistics in the past year. “Over 30% of people who have been supported by HHPI have identified as living in a violent domestic relationship, 87% are women and 71% are families with children. 44% of applicants are over 46. In the last financial year $90,000.00 has been raised, not only for homelessness but for flood relief, multi-cultural funding and other causes”.

Money from the Hills Homeless Sleepout will also go to StreetMed which offers support and help to hundreds of homeless people with physical and mental health issues.

Chris Cleary who founded StreetMed in 2014 has also set up StreetPets, Paws for the Homeless, providing veterinary support including microchips, surgery, inoculations, fresh food, canned food, and other vital needs for animals. Chris says: “I can’t stress it enough.

Every single cent donated makes a difference. I will fight to my last breath to make sure that society’s most vulnerable are looked after”. Other charities were represented, all telling of the support they are giving to people who have fallen on hard times.

Azita Abdollahian, President of Norwest Rotary Club and member of Shining Light Foundation, has spent the past five years, meeting large groups of people living on the streets, cutting their hair, providing, socks, beanies, blankets, bedding, and loving care.

Dennis Van Someren from Kenthurst Rotary Club spoke about the work being done over the past five years to find and provide transitional housing for women over 55 at risk of homelessness. Dennis said: “We were distressed and ashamed to hear of women and children forced to couch-surf or live in cars due to domestic violence”.

Dr. Michelle Byrne founded the Hills Winter Sleepout nine years ago. She said: “Thank you to all the charities and those present who’ve braved the cold for a night to raise awareness of homelessness in our own. The incredible amount of money raised, especially on the back of COVID and increased cost of living pressures, reflects the generous nature of our community and the desire to help our most vulnerable”.

Michelle continued “2023 will be our 10th year and promises to be bigger and better than ever, with more sponsors giving life-saving opportunities to people who have suffered difficult circumstances”.

The night of the Sleepout was a crisp clear night with a ‘super’ moon shining down on those taking part who are fortunate to have homes to go to after the sleepout. Not so for the thousands who live on the street suffering extreme conditions. 78 people and teams registered including The Hills to Hawkesbury Community News.

To date, $48,916.00 has been raised. People can still donate to the Hills Winter Sleepout until the end of August at: https://the-hills-wintersleepout-2022.raisely.com/.

All money raised goes to Hills Community Aid (HCA) and StreetMed/ StreetPaws.