Warm a heart this winter to help people sleeping rough on our streets
This winter, we're asking you to stand with Wayside Chapel to support people sleeping rough on our streets, so that they can come in from the cold and enjoy home-cooked meals, receive warm clothes and hot showers, and be surrounded by a loving community.
During the toughest and coldest days of the year, YOU can warm a heart and show Sydney’s most vulnerable people that they are loved, and not forgotten.
Any additional funds raised over the goal will be distributed to Wayside Chapel’s programs and services that need it most.
Raised so far
$4
Our goal
$550,000
Donate now to provide a home-cooked meal, warm clothes and a hot shower to a person sleeping rough on our streets this winter.
The Problem
Right now, there are 35,011 people experiencing homelessness in NSW alone.
Winter is one of the toughest times of the year for our community, and for people sleeping rough, the colder months are brutal.
With the cost-of-living and rental prices skyrocketing, more people are turning to us for help this winter. We'll need to be ready to welcome an average of 316 visitors a day.
That’s almost 100 additional visitors each day compared to last year at our centres in Kings Cross and Bondi.
We are determined to warm the hearts of people who need us most by providing home-cooked meals, warm clothes and hot showers this winter. But we need your help…
Together, we need to show the most vulnerable people in our community that they are loved, and not forgotten.
The Solution
We’re asking YOU to ‘Warm a Heart’ by making a donation to provide a home-cooked meal, warm clothes and a hot shower to a person sleeping rough on our streets.
Your kind gift will ensure Wayside Chapel continues to provide unconditional love, care and connection to our community, and a warm and loving place for people in crisis.
In the past year...
Wayside Chapel has witnessed unprecedented demand for their services:
50% increase in daily visitors
23% increase in clothes, underwear and socks provided
46% increase in food served
17% increase in hot showers and toiletries services
72% increase in care-coordination for visitors
You can warm the hearts of people like Ralph
When Ralph first came to Wayside Chapel, door after door had been closed to him.
After moving from New Zealand, Ralph ran out of money, was completely alone and had nowhere else to go. He was also struggling to manage his medication after being diagnosed with schizophrenia.
As he stood at our door, he felt like he was on the outside looking in at everything he had lost: community, connection, and love.
But it was at Wayside Chapel where Ralph’s courage and strength was matched with compassion.
Ralph was met with a hot shower, clean clothes and a hearty meal in our welcoming community cafe. His care coordinator, Clara was able to help him find his own long-term accommodation.
On his journey towards health and healing, Ralph has made many connections in the community, not only with visitors but also with volunteers and staff.
"I just needed a base to be alright. Now, I feel like a different person. I feel alive and I take on the world every time I wake up." says Ralph.
With your support, we can open the door open for more people like Ralph this winter.
“Their motto at Wayside is love over hate. And that's exactly what they do.”
- Ralph, Wayside Chapel visitor
How does your donation help?
This winter, more people than ever will come to us feeling hungry, lonely and isolated.
With your help, we can open our doors to bring them in from the cold.
Your support will help provide over 806 blankets and clothes a week to keep a person warm this winter.
Your support will help provide over 2,528 hot showers and toiletries a month to people who desperately need it.
Your support will help provide over 6,456 low cost meals a month from our community cafes.
Your support will help provide over 192 instances of care coordination a week, such as housing, medical referrals and legal support.
A big THANK YOU to our 2 supporters who are warming hearts this winter.
Together, we will show people sleeping rough on our streets that they are loved and not forgotten.
Nicholas Smith
Jennifer Luke
You are loved
Sending lots of love and warm hugs this winter!