Homelessness Week 2024

Homelessness Week 2024

Baptist Advocacy Update August 2024

The world’s eyes are fixed on Paris – from the headline-grabbing opening ceremony to Australia’s growing medal tally, the Olympics continue to dominate our front pages and algorithms.

But as the world celebrates and cheers the Paris Olympics, homeless people are shifted off the streets by their government. Stability of those most vulnerable, including migrants and refugees sacrificed in the name of entertainment. Out of sight, and out of mind.

This is hardly a problem unique to Paris. The Olympics have a long, shameful history of excluding and evicting the homeless to keep up appearances and obscure the inequality and poverty that runs rampant in host cities.

From August 5-11, the nation observes National Homelessness Week – shining a light on those who are, or are at risk of homelessness and rough living. Let us embrace this opportunity to open our hearts, not harden them, and act to support those brothers and sisters of ours who are at risk of homelessness.

Let us turn our eyes to the Homeless this week.

Let us turn our eyes to the homeless, because Scripture calls us to act differently – as we are reminded in Deuteronomy 15:7-8 “If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be.”

Let us turn our eyes to the homeless because the picture is devastating. In February, the Guardian published chilling details of a 12-month long investigation into homelessness. Few would argue that homelessness is easy, but even the most cynical person would find the details published shocking; a life expectancy of 30 years less than the average Australian. No demographic experiences a level of life expectancy gap in Australia of this severity.

Let us turn our eyes to the homeless, as homelessness has many forms, and comes from many causes. In particular, the insidious effect it has on those suffering from domestic violence is a dimension that is often overlooked. Consider also the effect homelessness has on entrenching disadvantage amongst First Nations Australians, who make up one fifth of all of Australia’s homeless population. One in seven children in this nation are homeless. Surely, we cannot ignore their plight.

As Christians we must challenge ourselves to not turn away, and to act in love.

Act Now

We can do this in a multitude of ways.

Please consider a financial contribution. Baptist Care Australia’s partner organisations provide crucial housing and support across the nation – please prayerfully consider donating to Baptist Care’s NSW, ACT and WA organisation here.

We also strongly encourage you to join the voices of those who are active in this space through petition. Baptist Care Australia is a proud member of the campaign Everybody’s Home. Partnering across the social services sector with organisations including the Salvation Army and Mission Australia, this is a powerful way we can advocate for specific, informed and direct policy change.

Please pray for us! Members of the Baptist family, and the Baptist Advocacy Roundtable will be heading to Canberra for Converge – our national advocacy initiative. As our Baptist family meets with MPs and Senators, please pray for wisdom, discernment, clarity, and most of all compassion and open hearts. Systemic policy change, including in public housing, will be necessary for short and long-term solutions to the housing crisis.

And of course, we would encourage all church pastors and leaders to share this with their Churches, especially as Homelessness Week approaches.

Real tangible action is needed – from individuals, organisations and government – and the church can speak into this area with power, clarity and strength.

After all, care for those in need are at the core of our faith.

As we turn our eyes to the most vulnerable in our nation, we honour our God and saviour.

Let’s not turn away this Homelessness Week.

 

Author Theo Doraisamy is a member of the Baptist Advocacy Roundtable and the Pacific Australian Emerging Leaders Network, a joint initiative between Micah Australia and the Pacific Conference of Churches. He is a secondary teacher in his day job.

Follow the work of Baptist Care Australia here,

Sign up for “Everybody’s Home” here

Volunteer at Baptistcare

What volunteers are saying about Baptistcare

Perhaps you are thinking about using some of your time to volunteer. Baptistcare has opportunities across metro and regional areas for you to volunteer your time, skill and presence to support elderly people towards living meaningful lives.

Meet Norma, a Baptistcare volunteer:

Norma lives in regional WA and after retiring started her volunteer life in hospice care. It was, however, the time her dad spent in a Baptistcare residence which inspired Norma to volunteer with Baptistcare. Her father asked Norma if after his death she would visit residents who weren’t as fortunate as he was to have family and friends to care for them.

So when Norma is not at a Zumba or yoga class, meditating, playing croquet or gardening she can be found volunteering with Baptistcare.

Recently we asked Norma some questions.

Why do you volunteer at Baptistcare? 

I started because of my father’s request, and I continue because I can see there is always some benefit in my volunteering. One of the most memorable experiences I have had was the opportunity to write a biography for a resident. Her family knew very little of her early life and used some of the work as part of her eulogy. People are so grateful for the volunteers and Baptistcare are supportive and never pressure the volunteers to do more than they can.

What would you say to anyone thinking about volunteering with Baptistcare?

Come with empathy and be sure that if you volunteer someone will benefit.

 

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much” – Helen Keller

 
 
If Norma’s story has inspired you, go to the Baptistcare volunteer page by clicking the logo below and submit your expression of interest in becoming a Baptistcare volunteer.

 

Octogenarian collects containers for a cause

Octogenarian collects containers for a cause

Des Gilbert (87) is among the thousands of West Australians who have started to collect and deposit their recyclables as part of the Containers for Change initiative.

The Gwelup octogenarian has managed to collect more than 1,100 containers in just six months, and has more than the good of the planet in mind. He wants to raise a massive $15,000 for a state-of-the-art Tovertafel (pronounced ‘tova-taff-al’) for the seniors who share his residential care home at Baptistcare’s David Buttfield Centre (DBC). The Tovertafel or ‘magic table’, is a high-quality ceiling projector which beams light animations onto a table below. It was developed in the Netherlands for people with cognitive challenges.

“Not only are we doing our part for the environment by preventing these containers from ending up in landfill, we are also raising money for a significant cause,” Des said. “Giving back to the DBC Therapy Department is important to me since they do so much for the residents here who are journeying with dementia.” Baptistcare’s DBC Therapy and Leisure Partner, Clare West said employees, residents and their families are in awe of Des’ commitment and passion. “When Des told us that he wanted to help raise money for a Tovertafel, we were moved by his generosity,” she said. “We have seen the amazing response residents at other Baptistcare facilities have had to the Tovertafel and are excited at the prospect of having our very own.”

For more information or to make a donation, visit baptistcare.com.au