A Message from the CEO

Over the past 12 months, I am proud to say St Mary’s House of Welcome has continued to work within changing public health conditions and maintain modified programs and services to ensure we were there for our service users.

Each day, we have seen growing numbers of people reaching out for help. People with nowhere else to turn. Those that come to our centre are sleeping rough, experiencing chronic homelessness or are vulnerable. They have needed our help this year more than ever before, with additional challenges reintegrating into society post-Covid.

Over the past year, we have been able to provide some of the most vulnerable people in our community with:

• Over 31,200 meals and meal packs

• Over 3,622 warm showers, toiletry packs and fresh clothing

• Over 4,280 emergency food hampers

• 18,720 periods of support with qualified community workers

We are incredibly grateful to our community of supporters, volunteers, and partners for your contributions this year. We would not have been able to have maintained our support services and programs without your help.  I would like to encourage you to read the St Mary’s House of Welcome 2021-2022 Annual Report to learn just how much of an impact your support has made.

We look to the next 12 months of 2023 with knowledge that they may be tough with more people in need of help than ever before. But we know that, with the support of our community, we will always be here to help those in need be nourished, supported, and cared for.

Our hope is that you will continue to partner in this important work of supporting chronically homeless and disadvantaged Melbournians, to provide expert care and support to help our service users leave the street behind them and to find hope, experience belongingness and achieve their full potential.