Help keep our doors open this winter for people who need it most
Winter is one of the toughest times of the year for our community.
The colder months are brutal for people sleeping rough. With the cost-of-living and rental prices skyrocketing, more people are turning to us for help. They are being forced into homelessness or struggling to afford heating, or food – and that’s on top of other ongoing stressors like family violence and health issues.
You can help open the door to more people who feel locked out of society.
Donate now to give Sydney's most vulnerable warmth, acceptance and the essential care needed this winter.
This winter, Wayside Chapel needs to be ready to welcome an average of 316 visitors a day. That’s close to 100 additional visitors each day compared to last year.
When the temperature drops, and the rain comes lashing down, Wayside Chapel welcomes anyone who may be living on the streets or in crisis for a hot shower, clean clothes, and a hearty meal at our community cafe. We also support visitors with access to essential services like housing, healthcare and legal support.
But there’s something extra special we offer – love and friendship. In a cold, and often judgmental world, our visitors are met as people, not as problems to be solved.
When you keep the doors of Wayside Chapel open, we can give our hearts to people most in need.
“Their motto at Wayside is love over hate. And that's exactly what they do.
They care and they understand, and they have all the help that you need.”
- Ralph, Wayside Chapel visitor
Will you open the door for 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 this winter.
What does your donation do?
This winter, more people than ever will come to us feeling lonely, hopeless and cold.
With your help, we can open the door to those who feel locked out.
You help provide over 880 blankets and clothes a week to keep a person warm this winter
You help provide over 897 hot showers and toiletries a month to people who desperately need it.
You help provide over 6,389 low cost meals a month from our community cafes
You help provide over 524 instances of care coordination a week, such as housing, medical referrals and legal support
Thanks to you, we're always there to deliver love and connection.
As a frontline organisation, Wayside Chapel plays an essential part in providing unconditional love, care and support for some of Sydney's most vulnerable people, including those who are experiencing homelessness and disadvantage, and who are facing physical and mental health challenges.
Everyone who walks through our doors is a person to be met, not a problem to be solved.
With your support, we provide a variety of support services that everyone can access on a daily basis. From necessities like shower and toilet facilities, food and clean clothing, to housing support and healthcare, our frontline workers are always there to provide the tailored wrap-around support that people need. Plus, a space where everyone is welcome and can connect with community.
You help us create community with no 'us and them'.
Please make your winter donation today. Thank you for choosing love over hate.
All donations to Wayside Chapel over $2 are tax-deductible.
If you make a donation before 30 June 2024, you will receive a tax-deductible receipt for this financial year (July 2023-June 2024).
If you have any issues or would like to made a donation over the phone, please call (02) 9581 9101.
Alternatively, you can email winter@thewaysidechapel.com.
