Mission Australia

🎉 A big congratulations to our Mission Australia Housing team for receiving two awards at the 2024 PowerHousing Awards. 🏆 Our Housing Operations Leadership Team received the Team Leadership & Culture Award.  🏆 Our Midtown MacPark team were awarded the Modernisation of Built Form Development Award.   🏆 Congratulations also to Charoah Evans, runner up for the Outstanding Achievement Award. These awards recognise the amazing work of our Mission Australia Housing teams. Thanks team for the work you do every day to create positive change! PowerHousing Australia #powerhousingconference #unlockingthehousingchallenge

🌏 We've seen firsthand the increasing devastation of climate change impacts on people and communities, to their mental and physical health, homes, jobs, general quality of life and sadly loss of life.    Without fast, fair and inclusive action on climate change, these threats will continue to worsen. As countries begin announcing their proposed 2035 emission reduction targets at #COP29 in Baku, we’ve joined with over 40 other organisations calling on the government to do their fair share and aim to reduce emissions to net zero by 2035. Read the full statement here: https://lnkd.in/gjRX8NjM 

Mission Australia is proud to be a lead supporter of Homelessness Australia’s new No-one turned away campaign and Call Unanswered report. The report highlights the reality services like ours are facing during Australia’s housing and homelessness emergency, with more than 3 million people at risk of homelessness. ☎ It found 83% of services can’t answer calls, and 40% are forced to close doors due to overwhelming demand.   🆘 Every hour, 3,000 Australians ask for help from services like those provided by Mission Australia (AIHW 2023). 📈 Our frontline staff say the housing situation is the worst they’ve seen, leading to a 26% increase in demand for our services in just three years.  We’re committed to supporting many people as possible and helping them find safe, secure and affordable homes. Our approach works, with most people at risk of homelessness staying safely housed when they seek our help. However, the need for social and affordable housing still outstrips supply, leaving too many people without a home and reaching out to homelessness services for help.   Despite these challenges, we want to help everyone. We don’t want to turn anyone away. With Homelessness Australia and our sector colleagues, we call on Federal and State governments to help #endhomelessness by:  🤝 Providing the support people need to avoid or quickly escape homelessness  🏡 Providing rapid access to safe affordable homes  💰 Increasing income support so people can afford their rent Join the campaign: https://lnkd.in/gV6NEenC #NoOneTurnedAway #MissionAustralia 

🍴 Exciting times in our kitchens! We're thrilled to join the Maggie Beer Foundation's Trainer Mentor Program across our three aged care facilities. Over the next year, our teams will craft chef-inspired menus, adding flavour, nutrition, and zest to residents’ meals.    Chef Amanda from the Maggie Beer Foundation spent the week with our kitchen staff at Charles Chambers Court.     Residents got to feast their eyes and taste buds on new creations like potato croquettes with parmesan and lemon, slow-cooked lamb shoulder, and delectable desserts like peach Melba and blueberry mousse!      #AgedCare #AgedCareNutrition #TrainerMentorProgram    * The Trainer Mentor Program pairs aged care home kitchen teams with a qualified chef trainer who will mentor your team to serve flavourful, nutritious food an for residents in aged care homes. The program is designed and delivered by the Maggie Beer Foundation. * Charles Chambers Court is an accredited residential aged care facility in Surry Hills, NSW, catering to 60 men and women who are homeless, at risk of homelessness or financial disadvantage.

Mission Australia has joined others in calling for a National Housing and Homelessness Plan to be legislated to #endhomelessness in Australia. We are deeply disappointed by the Senate Committee’s majority report against the Bill, missing a key chance to ensure government accountability for addressing Australia’s housing and homelessness emergency and supporting people who are vulnerable. The Government must act now with a legislated National Housing and Homelessness Plan that delivers: 🏠 1 million new social and affordable homes in the next 20 years to meet future demand.  💡 A $500 million Homelessness Prevention Transformation Fund to stop people becoming homeless in the first place.  To end homelessness in Australia, the Plan should be legislated, include adequate funding, clear goals and strong accountability.  #EndHomelessness #BuildMoreSocialHousing #RaiseTheRate #Budget2025 #Auspol  Read more in Mission Australia’s submission: https://lnkd.in/gjCwYYnZ 

“I know what it’s like to face life’s biggest obstacles,” Julian says. “If my story can give even one person hope, that’s a win.” – Julian. As a defensive tackle for the Cairns Falcons, Julian Viston is a force on the field - able to take on multiple opponents at once.  But his journey to becoming this imposing player was hard-won. Just a few years ago, Julian was battling severe mental health challenges and losing his sight due to a degenerative eye condition, feeling like he’d hit rock bottom. With support from the National Disability Insurance Agency and Mission Australia, Julian took charge of his life, building both his body and mind. He doubled his deadlift strength, conquered the Cairns half marathon, and earned his certification in support work.  Now, as chair of the Action for Change Access and Inclusion Group, he’s tackling his biggest challenge yet: ensuring communities become more inclusive and accessible for people with disabilities. 

🎨Going, going, gone! Our recent ‘Art with Heart’ exhibition was a huge success – every single artwork was purchased! We’re thrilled that 100% of the proceeds are going directly to the talented artists, many of whom have faced homelessness and other challenges.  This year, a special piece by artist Justin will be featured on Mission Australia’s Christmas cards.  Thank you to everyone who helped make this exhibition possible. * Art with Heart is a therapeutic art program held at our Inner-city Brisbane homelessness services and the recent exhibition was held during anti-poverty week. The class is facilitated by Ali Gillett @brave_arts * Mission Australia Inner City Brisbane Services supports males aged 18 -65 years who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.  

This is Heather’s recovery journey. With the support of Mission Australia’s Drug and Alcohol Youth Service (DAYS), Heather found the support she needed to heal, rebuild relationships, and celebrate milestones like her 18th birthday - with family. *DAYS provides a safe and supported short-stay residential environment to help young people aged 12-21 years to manage their withdrawal from alcohol and other drugs and take time out from environmental influences and pressures. *This is a true story but images and names have been changed to protect the identify of the people we help.

Meekatharra is a small town in Western Australia, but when the community comes together, magic happens!✨ This week, volunteer models of all ages strutted their stuff down the red dirt runway at the Barndi Mayu Good Kid Community Fashion Show. The event brought together local talent, showcasing handmade jewelry, clothing, hair and makeup all crafted by the community. Participants of the fashion show had the opportunity to be inspired by Noongar woman and Model Shannon McGuire from the Kirrikin Foundation through modelling and wellbeing workshops prior to the event.   This community-led initiative was developed by the Meekatharra Community Working Group supported by Mission Australia’s Communities of Focus in collaboration with multiple agencies located in the community.  This project aims to increase community and cultural connections, grow local commitment to volunteering and participation, and promote the long-term positive change that’s possible when people come together to work towards a better future.    * Barndi Mayu Good Kid Community Fashion Show was initiated by the community of Meekatharra with support from Mission Australia, Youth Focus , Mid West Development Commission, Westgold Resources Limited, Yulella Incorporated, Shire of Meekatharra, @Meekatharra District High School, Australian Vanadium Limited, Newcam Minerals, Campbell Transport and the Rotary Club of Rockingham. * This a community-led initiative was developed by the Meekatharra Community Working Group as part of Mission Australia’s Communities of Focus program, aimed at increasing a sense of community and cultural connection, growing local commitment to volunteering and participation, fostering collaboration between community members and promoting long-term positive change.    If your organisation is interested in supporting communities in need, reach out to: partnerships@missionaustralia.com.au  

Pio, one of our amazing Townsville Youth Foyer caseworkers, is just 12 days away from running his first marathon—the New York Marathon! Representing the Indigenous Marathon Foundation, Pio is not only taking on this huge challenge, but also building leadership skills to uplift his community. In this video, Pio is interviewed by Lynisha, a resident at the Youth Foyer, who is inspired to follow in Pio’s footsteps and join the Indigenous Marathon Foundation.  We’re cheering you on, Pio—can’t wait to see you cross that finish line! #NYMarathon #IndigenousMarathonFoundation  * The Townsville Youth Foyer is an integrated learning and accommodation model supporting young people aged 16-25 at risk of or, experiencing homelessness  * The Indigenous Marathon Foundation (IMF), founded by  Rob de Castella AO MBE, is a health promotion charity that uses running to celebrate Indigenous resilience and achievement, and create inspirational Indigenous leaders.