Winter Warmer Impact Update at Fletcher Street Cottage

Donation Update

Since July 2024, Fletcher Street Cottage have spent $3,653 of Dharma Care’s donation to directly assist 138 people in crisis through their Emergency Relief program. This program is part of a broader suite of services offered by Fletcher Street Cottage, managed by our Community Support Workers. These workers provide personalised assistance and connect individuals to a range of resources and wrap-around support services, such as specialist housing services, legal assistance, mental health support, and drug and alcohol counselling, GPs, and more.

Here’s how the funds have been allocated:

• 104 Food Vouchers: These vouchers have provided essential groceries, ensuring individuals and families do not go hungry during times of crisis.

• 10 Fuel Expenses/Bus Tickets: This support has helped cover the cost of fuel for vehicles or purchase bus tickets, enabling people to attend critical appointments, access employment, get their kids to school, visit family, and reach other necessary services.

• 30 Phone Credits: By covering phone credit costs, this assistance has allowed individuals to stay connected with their support networks, access services, and manage personal affairs during this period of instability.

• 8 Medical/Prescription Costs: This funding has covered vital medical and prescription expenses, ensuring individuals do not have to forgo necessary health care due to financial constraints.

Context and Future Needs

Fletcher Street Cottage is operating under immense pressure as they face an unprecedented increase in demand for their services. The convergence of recent natural disasters, the ongoing pandemic, soaring living costs, and a severe housing crisis has created a perfect storm of challenges for our community. Since 2022, they have seen a staggering 600% increase in demand for emergency relief, with their annual expenditure rising from $5,000 to $35,000. This high level of demand has continued unabated over the past two years, while funding for the program has not. This persistent gap underscores the critical need for ongoing support, which is why they chose to allocate Dharma Care’s donation directly to this Emergency Relief Program. 

Women, in particular, face dire situations, with domestic violence being the leading cause of homelessness among women in Australia. At Fletcher Street Cottage, they have seen a 72% increase in women seeking their help, rising from 93 visits in January to 160 in July. This rise highlights the urgent need for immediate and targeted support.

In response, they are developing a dedicated Women’s Emergency Relief (ER) Program. This program aims to offer a broader range of support tailored specifically to women in danger. It will provide more flexible and immediate assistance, including transport to safety amongst other services. This initiative is designed to address the unique and urgent needs of women fleeing dangerous situations and ensure they receive adequate support during their crisis. They are currently working to secure sufficient funding to launch and sustain this program.

Looking ahead, the need for continued support remains crucial. As the demand for all of their support services continues to grow, the role of donors and foundations like Dharma Care becomes even more vital. Our ongoing contribution helps provide Fletcher Street Cottage with essential aid and maintain the stability and relief that our community desperately needs.