HOMELESS PERSONS' WEEK 2010
JOIN US IN RAISING AWARNESS OF HOMELESSNESS IN WA!
BACKGROUND:
In 2000 the Community Housing Coalition of WA (CHCWA) took over the functions of the Council to Homeless Persons WA. CHCWA is also the peak body representing community housing providers in Western Australia.
CHCWA believes that having a safe, affordable and secure place to live is not a privilege but a basic right and is committed to ensuring this is acknowledged and understood by politicians, government departments, the corporate sector, community housing providers and the broader community.
As part of this commitment, CHCWA hosted the first Homeless Persons' Week in Western Australia in August 2008.
Homeless Person's Week is a national event that aims to raise awareness of homelessness across Australia.
We believe public education is as a major step towards engaging private sector investment in social housing to counter homelessness and to debunk inaccurate stereotypes.
As well as acknowledging the services offered to homeless people in WA, the week fosters a closer collaboration of services assisting homeless people.
HOMELESS PERSONS' WEEK 2010
August 2-8 is National Homeless Persons' Week for 2010 and CHCWA will once again be hosting the event in Western Australia.
For the past few years, while the State has boomed financially, the social services community has noticed another boom - an increase in homelessness and those people suffering from housing stress.
The theme for Homeless Persons' Week 2010 is "Will you be Homeless in 2020?"
We believe that getting a person back on their feet requires more than just putting a roof over their head.
Homeless Person's Week 2010 aims to:
- Raise awareness of homelessness in the community
- Celebrate and acknowledge current services being offered to homeless people
- Foster collaboration of services working with homeless people
- Attract more volunteers and financial support into the sector
Homeless Persons Week 2010 will feature a program of activities, forums and events to engage homeless people, service providers and the community.
The week will conclude with a Walk to Support the Homeless, which will take in the Perth Central Business District.
The public will be invited to join civic leaders and service providers in a walk through the CBD to show homeless people that they are valued and respected members of our community and that we are a community that supports finding solutions to homelessness.
JOIN US IN BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS:
As part of building public awareness partnerships for the week CHCWA would like you to consider holding an event/program/activity to include in our program.
It is your choice and we are here to help in any way possible. Some of the events already being planned included: open days, photography exhibitions, luncheons, football games, collections/drives.
CHWA will promote your project in our program and also assist with trying to secure publicity if desired by you.
Please contact:
Marija Jelavic on 9328 8996 or 0419 993789 E: marijajelavic@optusnet.com.au
Gina Church on 0409 299 220 E: ginachurch@westnet.com.au
if you have any queries or would like to discuss any ideas.