2023 Vinnies Winter Appeal
May 12, 2023The St Vincent de Paul Society has launched its 2023 Vinnies Winter Appeal and we are pleased
to be collecting donations for them once again.
This year, Vinnies are focusing on the issue of older women experiencing homelessness. The number
of older women experiencing homelessness across the country has grown rapidly in recent years,
and continues to increase, accounting for almost double the growth rate for all people
experiencing homelessness in Australia. The true extent of the problem in Australia is likely to be hugely under-reported as older women who are at risk of homelessness are often ‘hidden’. Many will stay with their children or friends, live in their car, or stay in unsafe relationships to avoid sleeping rough.
Research shows that most of these women have never been homeless before. For many of these
women, homelessness is triggered by a crisis such as the death of a spouse, divorce, serious
illness, rent increase or eviction. Intimate partner violence or elder abuse can also lead to older
women being forced to flee their homes.
Vinnies assists older women who are homeless, or are at risk of becoming homeless, to have access to the supports they need to get back on their feet and to be safe and well. They continue to advocate at state, territory and Commonwealth levels to immediately increase social security payments and to boost the supply of social and affordable housing so that older women can retire with dignity and with a safe, affordable place to call home.
Help support those who are homeless in our community by donating any winter items such as blankets, coats, beanies, scarves, gloves or non perishable foods such as tinned soup, spaghetti, stews etc.
Students can place the donations in the boxes and clothes rack outside the Year 9-10 Coordinators office.