This Christmas and New Year period, St Mary’s House of Welcome will open its doors to more than 150 people in need every single day. People who have nowhere else to turn.
People like Sarah*, who for three long years spent Christmas on the street. Three years with nowhere to go, feeling safe and alone, with no hope for the future.
Right now, thousands of people in our community are experiencing homelessness. For too many people this Christmas there’ll be no family or friends, no presents, no tree - not even a meal or a bed for the night. People who need your support now, more than ever.
Your gift today will help provide urgently needed meals, showers, bedding and laundry services to the growing number of people experiencing homelessness in Melbourne this Christmas.
Your support will not only provide these essential services, but it will also connect people to ongoing assistance that will help them leave homelessness behind for good.
Sarah’s Story
“It’s not about gifts or big celebrations. It’s about being safe and secure, having a roof over my head, friends to have a laugh with, and feeling like I belong again”.
Just three years ago, Sarah was a single mum working in a job she loved. But when her relationship became abusive, she was forced to flee for her safety, losing her home, her job, and the stability she’d built for herself and her child.
Soon, Sarah found herself sleeping rough in Melbourne’s CBD. “It was something I never thought would happen to me,” she says. “Sleeping outside train stations, being ignored by people walking past - it was horrible.”
Everything changed the day Sarah heard about St Mary’s House of Welcome. She came in for a meal and a shower - and found not just practical support, but genuine care and understanding. With help from our community support team, Sarah soon secured a safe, stable home.
Now, she’s about to celebrate her first Christmas in her own place, with a small tree, a simple meal, and new friends she’s made through St Mary’s House of Welcome.
“Nowadays, I sit on my couch, look around my little home, and cry - not from sadness, but from gratitude. I never thought this would be the Christmas I finally have a home.”
*Please note, names and identifying features have been changed to protect our service users’ identity
Your Impact
$55
will help provide a festive meal and a grocery hamper to a person in real need
$35
will help provide someone sleeping rough with a basic needs pack: a shower, towels, toiletries and underwear
$125
will help provide support sessions with qualified workersfor someone in crisis
$250
will help provide 200 nutritious meals over the Christmas and New Year period for people who cannot afford, or are unable, to feed themselves
We Need Your Help Now More Than Ever
This Christmas and New Year period, St Mary’s House of Welcome needs your help to provide:
15,000 nutritious meals – including Christmas lunch for our most vulnerable community members.
1,500 warm showers, toiletries and fresh clothing.
500 support sessions with qualified community workers.
125 social inclusion activities such as art/craft, gardening, and wellbeing groups.
Your generous gift will provide direct support to some of the most marginalised and socially isolated individuals in our community.
By giving today, you ensure that we can continue to be there for those in need this Christmas and beyond. People like Sarah*, will benefit from your compassion.
On behalf of everyone we serve, thank you for your kindness and commitment to partnering with us in this vital work. Wishing you and your family a joyful and safe Christmas and New Year.
Every gift $2 and over is tax deductible. Please give as generously as you can.
Thank you.
