Stonnington Community Forum – Housing and Homelessness
This Forum will challenge you to explore the interrelated issues of homelessness and housing by hearing from two inspiring people who have created organisations to provide services for the homeless. Their work ranges from distributing food and clothing, and extends to assisting with buying houses, and many things in between.
You will be encouraged to think outside the box about the complexities of the problems and the solutions, and to consider: What role can we play?
The speakers will welcome challenging questions and comments from all participants.
Participation in the Forum is FREE
Enquiries and further information
Stonnington Community Uniting Church
Refreshments will be provided
Speakers:
Ms Deborah Holmes, Director of the Avalon Centre 1936 Malvern Road, Malvern East
Deborah Holmes founded the Avalon Centre in 1987. “Our aim is to meet the unmet needs in society and help people who have slipped through the cracks. Avalon assists those who have been forgotten, overlooked and left behind. This includes the homeless, people with mental health and physical problems and disabilities, the elderly, refugees and anyone else who may benefit from our support. Avalon Services include Homes for the Homeless, Avalon Drop-In, and Clothes & Bedding Distribution, and individual support
Mr Noah Yang, CEO and founder of a support organisation for homeless people “We are Mobilise”. 
Noah founded the Mobilise movement challenged by the question “In a country as prosperous as Australia, why does anybody have to sleep on the street?”. Since the first night he and a friend headed out with bags of bread to have conversations, Noah has led We Are Mobilise from a grassroots movement focused on assertive outreach through to an ACNC-registered national charity with operations in 5 states across Australia. Mobilise recently completed a $2 million+ fundraising campaign with Nedd Brockmann, positioning it to launch some Australia-first direct giving programs – already having 100+ participants through these innovative programs.
Relevant reading
- ‘The Salt Path’ by Raynor Winn (Penguin 2018)
Brought to you by:
- Stonnington Community Uniting Church – Working Group
