Everyone is welcome at our table.

[Music]

[Stephen, Executive Director Client Services] Homelessness is an absence of home. It’s an absence of safety and security, privacy, it’s also that absence of connection.

[Kirsty, Meals Program co-ordinator/Head Chef] Everything starts here in the dining hall at the Sacred Heart Mission, for a lot of people it’s their first point of contact with our service. It’s a really important place to begin.

[Text displayed on screen] More than 116,000 people are experiencing homelessness in Australia. More than 24, 800 Victorians are trapped in cycles of long-term homelessness.

[Elizabeth, Manager Women’s Services] Sacred heart mission is a not-for-profit organization that’s been in existence for over 35 years now.

[Stephen] We form a community that cares for community issues to make sure that people can make.

[Cheryl, Client] Sacred Heart is part of my life when I first experienced homelessness i didn’t know anywhere that could help me in those days.

[Graham, Resident Advocate, client] I had someone say i’ve got just a place for you and they brought me to Sacred Heart.

[Asma, Client] The people here are very very good people, very nice people, they help me with everything here.

[Kirsty] We open up at seven o’clock every morning, 365 days a year.

[Stephen] There’s no requirement, there’s nothing that you have to do other than just turn up. Easy engagement into the support, we will then wrap services around people community engagement type services, clinical services, housing support.

[Santi, Life Matters Coordinator] Most of the residents here always say that the number one quality they feel here is safe.

[Graham] I think a lot of people who get the opportunity to move in here are going to feel a million dollars, this is really special.

[Asma] I have very very very good experience with Sacred Heart Mission, they helped me to find the permanent house.

[Elizabeth] All staff are trained to provide a trauma-informed approach, a flexible and individualised response

[Hala, Case Manager] To work on five different goal areas. The main one is housing, but we also work in health and well-being, social participation, economic participation, and independence.

[Elizabeth] Building a relationship that’s based on trust, respect, and kindness

[Stephen] Creating connection, creating relationship and then passing that over to the community.

[Graham] We like to think of ourselves as family.

[Cheryl] The friendships I’ve made made me feel loved.

[Stephen] With that, people will be able to sustain their housing.

[Cheryl] I’m in a block of flats that all women live in. I feel safe, secure, cooking my own meals again.

[Asma] It’s my home.

[Elizabeth] It’s amazing to watch their belief in themselves and their self-esteem just grow.

[Cheryl] A big thanks to the people that have donated.

[Asma] They helped me and they helped many people.

[Graham] It gives you an opportunity to live life again.

[Stephen] We’re asking everyone to be part of the solution, not just for those experiencing homelessness, but the reward that we all get when we connect.

[Text displayed on screen] At Sacred Heart, Everyone is welcome at our table

[Music]