Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese,
21 Sep 2012
After almost a year in operation, Camperdown's life-changing Common Ground Project, the mixed tenancy community that provides affordable, safe and permanent housing for some of the city's chronically homeless men and women, has proven an outstanding success.
Based on a New York concept to tackle long-term chronic homelessness, Camperdown's $32 million purpose-built six-storey block of 104 units has enabled 52 of those who have suffered long-term homelessness to begin new lives.
Living side by side with lower income earners, the formerly homeless men and women have not only become part of a small and vibrant community but have ready access to support services on the ground floor of the block which range from health to life skills training, financial management, drug and alcohol counselling as well as help with finding employment.
"The project has been a fantastic success," says Felicity Reynolds, CEO of the Mercy Foundation which has been closely involved with the Common Ground initiative and began advocating for the project back in 2008.
Working with Housing NSW, Mission Australia Housing, both the state and federal governments, NGOs and private organisations to help ensure the project got off the ground, the Mercy Foundation was also instrumental in the decision that Sydney's first Common Ground community be "pet friendly."
"The affection, loyalty and companionship of a dog or a cat offers great comfort, particularly to people who are vulnerable and living on the margins," Felicity says, pointing out that for many homeless men and women their pet is not only their constant companion but their best and frequently only friend.
"The city's homeless hostels don't admit pets so that no matter how bleak the weather, many homeless people will refuse to seek shelter rather than be separated from their beloved pet," she says.
Felicity, who is also Chair of the Australian Common Ground Alliance, says there are equally limited options for the poor. But the Mercy Foundation along with several other organisations and individuals are working to change this. The RSPCA with its Living Ruff program along with NSW's Safe Beds for Pets are among a number of new initiatives with the Mercy Foundation continuing its advocacy to allow homeless people to receive services without being separated from their pets.
Along with the Common Ground project at Camperdown permitting tenants to keep pets, the Wentworth Community Housing project at Penrith, which offers subsidised accommodation to chronically homeless men and women, also allows pets.
Established by the North Sydney Sisters of Mercy in 1990, the Mercy Foundation tackles social issues that impact society's vulnerable and disadvantaged, and for the past five years has directed its focus to homelessness, particularly to the city's chronically homeless men and women.
Just as pets play an important role in the emotional welfare and health of the aged, the lonely, the mentally ill and socially excluded, they can play a vital role helping turn the lives of homeless people around as well as bring hope and comfort to those struggling on limited incomes.
But Felicity doesn't just talk the talk and last weekend saw her yet again volunteering at Surry Hills fifth annual Northcott Pet Day where pets of tenants at the public housing estate and inner city locals bring their cats and dogs along for free micro-chipping, worming, weighing and veterinary health checks.
"Vet services can be out of the reach of many people so this is a wonderful and important initiative," she says.
A joint project of the City of Sydney, Surry Hills Public Tenants Association, Jennie Churchill and her staff at the Crookwell Veterinary Hospital, the Faculty of Veterinary Science at the University of Sydney, along with volunteer vets, vet students and helpers from all walks of life, spent last Saturday 15 September giving their time and expertise in a day-long celebration of people and pets.
More than 220 pets received health checks and many registered for the discounted de-sexing of their animal over the next few weeks. Each person who brought their pet also received products to keep their animals free of fleas.
"The day is all about pets and community and is always a lot of fun," says Felicity.
To find out more about the Mercy Foundation and its work to end chronic homelessness and on other important social justice issues see www.mercyfoundation.com.au
SHARED FROM ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY
21 Sep 2012
Dogs provide emotional support, affection and love
Based on a New York concept to tackle long-term chronic homelessness, Camperdown's $32 million purpose-built six-storey block of 104 units has enabled 52 of those who have suffered long-term homelessness to begin new lives.
Living side by side with lower income earners, the formerly homeless men and women have not only become part of a small and vibrant community but have ready access to support services on the ground floor of the block which range from health to life skills training, financial management, drug and alcohol counselling as well as help with finding employment.
"The project has been a fantastic success," says Felicity Reynolds, CEO of the Mercy Foundation which has been closely involved with the Common Ground initiative and began advocating for the project back in 2008.
Dogs not permitted in shelters
"The affection, loyalty and companionship of a dog or a cat offers great comfort, particularly to people who are vulnerable and living on the margins," Felicity says, pointing out that for many homeless men and women their pet is not only their constant companion but their best and frequently only friend.
"The city's homeless hostels don't admit pets so that no matter how bleak the weather, many homeless people will refuse to seek shelter rather than be separated from their beloved pet," she says.
Felicity Reynolds, CEO of the Mercy Foundation
Along with the Common Ground project at Camperdown permitting tenants to keep pets, the Wentworth Community Housing project at Penrith, which offers subsidised accommodation to chronically homeless men and women, also allows pets.
Established by the North Sydney Sisters of Mercy in 1990, the Mercy Foundation tackles social issues that impact society's vulnerable and disadvantaged, and for the past five years has directed its focus to homelessness, particularly to the city's chronically homeless men and women.
Just as pets play an important role in the emotional welfare and health of the aged, the lonely, the mentally ill and socially excluded, they can play a vital role helping turn the lives of homeless people around as well as bring hope and comfort to those struggling on limited incomes.
Each year volunteers give free health checks to pets for those on low incomes
"Vet services can be out of the reach of many people so this is a wonderful and important initiative," she says.
A joint project of the City of Sydney, Surry Hills Public Tenants Association, Jennie Churchill and her staff at the Crookwell Veterinary Hospital, the Faculty of Veterinary Science at the University of Sydney, along with volunteer vets, vet students and helpers from all walks of life, spent last Saturday 15 September giving their time and expertise in a day-long celebration of people and pets.
More than 220 pets received health checks and many registered for the discounted de-sexing of their animal over the next few weeks. Each person who brought their pet also received products to keep their animals free of fleas.
Vet students overseen by volunteer vets took part in last weekend's Northcott Pet Day
To find out more about the Mercy Foundation and its work to end chronic homelessness and on other important social justice issues see www.mercyfoundation.com.au
SHARED FROM ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY
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