About Us
Supporting People Experiencing Homelessness
St Mary’s House of Welcome is a Specialist Access Point for people experiencing homelessness in the heart of Melbourne. We provide basic essential services to people who are homeless and experiencing disadvantage, severe and persistent mental health issues, and those who are extremely isolated, socially marginalised and are at risk of falling through the gaps.
Many of those who come to St Mary’s House of Welcome for help experience multiple issues such as sleeping rough, drug addiction, poverty, childhood trauma, mental illness, institutionalisation and street drinking, all of which result in chronic social and health problems.
Our service model means that anyone who needs help can come to the centre for practical assistance. Whether it’s a meal, a shower and a change of clean clothes or other material aid, or more specialist support such as information, referral to access specialist services, legal support and emergency relief, at St Mary’s House of Welcome, we welcome all those in need.
65 Years of St Mary’s House of Welcome
2025 marks the 65th anniversary of St Mary’s House of Welcome, and as part of the celebrations, we asked some of our staff, volunteers and service users to reflect on what SMHOW means to them.
Our Mission
Inspired by the spirit of the Daughters of Charity, St Mary’s House of Welcome seeks to further social justice by standing with people who are disadvantaged offering support, solutions and hope.
Our Values
-
Each person is a unique creation of God. Respect is a building block to authentic relationships and engendering of hope.
-
Relationships are essential for building trust and are a basis for wellbeing and spiritual fulfilment.
-
Welcoming brings to life the acknowledgement and celebration of the dignity and worth of each person.
-
Responsiveness is a Gospel imperative which pursues positive social change and challenges us to reflect on and evaluate what we do.
-
Hope gifts us with the vision to realise the potential in our lives, encourages us to achieve, and sustains us in difficult and challenging times.
Our Service Model
St Mary’s House of Welcome’s programs encourage communal engagement, and provide a sense of being valued, the experience of being treated with dignity and inclusion within community.
We also collaborate with several external agencies and organisations to enhance participants’ access to specialist services in a safe and familiar environment.
