Winter Appeal to help those “sleeping rough”

THE mission to make sure no person in the Greater Geelong region is sleeping rough is this year’s central theme for Samaritan House Geelong’s Winter Appeal, as residents are asked to give where they can during the colder months.

Samaritan House non-executive director and fundraising committee member Walter Pelaccia said the bi-annual Winter Appeal initiative was held each year following the house’s Christmas Appeal as a means to offset operating costs.

“The monies all go towards helping to transform the lives of homeless men in the Geelong region, to enable them to lead more fulfilling lives and giving them hope.

“The Winter Appeal allows the continuing work of Samaritan House to provide a community and a welcoming and safe home for homeless people experiencing crisis, enabling their transition to a better future.

“Samaritan House receives no government funding for its operations.”

Samaritan House Geelong has been operating since 2012.

Funds raised from recent years as part of the Winter Appeal have allowed the Samaritan House Board to co-ordinate several projects to improve its site in Coppards Road, Moolap.

Projects include the creation of a meeting/program room fitted out with two computer stations, meeting table, chairs and a large screen, an ongoing partnership with The Gordon TAFE landscape department staff and apprentices, creating a new basketball court and beginning a planned community shelter building construction project.

Through the Winter Appeal, a $500 donation could provide someone with toiletries, $1,000 would provide a person with adequate bedding, and $2,500 could help a person attend a six-week living skills programs.

Mr Pelaccia said Samaritan House’s work could not be possible without the assistance from Salvation Army, who serve as managers of the facility and partners of the house.

“Over 1,400 men have benefited from their stay at Samaritan House and from everything the program offers such as the ‘living skills’ program in collaboration with Salvation Army.

“The program assists our guests with basic living skills, build on their personal strengths, provides information about housing and creates tools to help them in finding suitable longer-term accommodation.

“Guests are invited to participate in the program to help build their core living skills.”

Any donations or any size are encouraged to be made either at [email protected] or via samaritanhouse.org.au/donate