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Our Backyard supports men, women, families who are sleeping in their cars at night. All our guests need to be travelling in a registered motor vehicle to access the program.
All Services are given free of charge. Homelessness is a complex issue and affects over 100,000 Australians each day. There are approximately 2000 people who are homeless in the Hunter Region. And our program can support up to 10 people per night. Where possible we refer to other Specialist Homeless Services providers and encourage our guests to make contact with Department of Housing Link to Home to access emergency temporary accommodation. |
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Our backyard car to home
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Our Backyard- Car to Home Project is a designated private car park space that allows men, couples, women or families who are sleeping in their cars a place to park and sleep, in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie areas.
Our Backyard offers access to bathroom and kitchen facilities in the aim of making life a little easier. Support workers will assist clients to connect with service providers to access community supports and programs if that’s what is needed. Our Backyard is privately funded through www.macquariecare.org.au a registered PBI charity with DGR status. Every dollar donated is fully tax deductible. |
Recent News
Peter Di Girolamo, Community Program Manager recently was nominated as one of the local hero's for his role working with the homeless. You can read the article here: http://www.theherald.com.au/story/5164016/helping-the-homeless-with-functional-care/
Our program assisted 120 homeless men, women and families in 2017. Of this, 70% were male and 30% female. Of the 120 people supported, 25% were referred to safer, stable and secure accommodation. We are finding that the high cost of living is impacting on the lives of more Australians than ever before.
One area we try and help guests is to ensure that there motor vehicles are registered and roadworthy. Guests must have a registered motor vehicle to use the services of the program because they need to be onsite by 4pm and leave the next day by 10am. For those who are homeless and sleeping in their car, their motor vehicle is both a mode of transport and a place to dwell. 
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Twenty Five percent of our guests transition into secure accommodation. On average one out of every four persons that seeks support from Our Backyard is able to find somewhere to live after leaving. The other 75% of guests face significant challenges around mental health, financial hurdles, physical health and unemployment.
The support of the public can make a significant difference because we can provide a safe place to sleep at night and also support with non perishable foods, warm blankets, a place to relax and have a cup of coffee and a chat. Whilst these might seem like very small things in themselves, together we can bring some dignity and significance in the lives of our most vulnerable.
The support of the public can make a significant difference because we can provide a safe place to sleep at night and also support with non perishable foods, warm blankets, a place to relax and have a cup of coffee and a chat. Whilst these might seem like very small things in themselves, together we can bring some dignity and significance in the lives of our most vulnerable.
