Homelessness continues to rise across Australia, leaving tens of thousands without a safe place to call home. During Homelessness Week from 4 to 10 August, Parramatta Mission rallied the community with an appeal to raise funds and awareness for those doing it tough.
As part of this effort CHRG (Castle Hill RSL Group) launched a week-long coffee donation initiative across all its venues, committing $1 from every coffee sold to Parramatta Mission. The campaign not only raised awareness among visitors but also generated $3,348 – which will go directly towards providing essential meals, practical support, and vital services for people experiencing hardship.
On 6 August, the CHRG team rolled up their sleeves to volunteer at Parramatta Mission’s Hub Day – a key event during Homelessness Week that brought together over 30 organisations offering critical assistance in one convenient location. Attendees were able to connect with a broad range of services, including government agencies, housing providers, health professionals, and local community support groups. This collaborative approach meant that people could receive help with housing, healthcare, food assistance, and other essential needs in a safe and welcoming environment, without the barriers of long waits or complex referral processes.
“Homelessness Week is about connecting services to people in a way that helps them find the support they need,” said Geoff Smith, CEO/Lead Minister of Parramatta Mission. “We’ve brought together a wide range of services – from health and housing to even support for pets.”
The need for these initiatives is more urgent than ever. Across Australia, more than 122,000 people are currently experiencing homelessness, with many more at risk due to rising living costs and a shortage of affordable housing. In Parramatta, the situation has worsened significantly over the past year, with reports indicating a sharp increase in people sleeping rough and a 30% rise in demand for food, shelter, and support services.
At the heart of Parramatta Mission’s response is the Meals Plus program, which operates five days a week to provide a safe and welcoming space alongside hot, nourishing meals.
The program serves between 300 and 400 meals each day, while also giving people access to housing advice, mental health care, and employment assistance. Events like Hub Day build on this work by connecting people to the right help at the right time, in a judgment-free setting.
Partnerships like the one between CHRG and Parramatta Mission highlight the decisive role that community collaboration plays in addressing homelessness. By combining resources, time, and compassion, these efforts create lasting change, ensuring that hope, dignity, and support remain within reach for those doing it tough.
