Hosted by Baptist Care SA in partnership with schools like Kings Baptist Grammar School and Emmaus Christian College, Rough Sleep Out offers students the chance to gain a deeper understanding of homelessness by hearing from people with lived experience and those who journey alongside of them to provide support.
The program teaches that there are many reasons why someone may experience homelessness— they may have lost their job, be struggling to find a home, or have experienced a relationship breakdown.
Students also learn that the issues facing people experiencing homelessness are varied and complex and can span domestic violence, social isolation, hunger and food relief and health.
Students participating in Rough Sleep Outs are sponsored, with the donations going directly to Baptist Care SA’s WestCare Centre.
A partnership with Safe Pets Safe Families enables people experiencing homelessness to access free veterinary services for their ‘best friends’.
At regular pop up vet clinics, members of our community can bring their dogs and cats to a pop up vet clinic at the Westcare Centre for general pet health checks, vaccinations, micro-chipping, flea and worming treatments and and free packs of pet goodies.
Staffed by volunteer vets, vet nurses, groomers and support people, the Paws and Pals Homeless Support clinics provide valuable support for the precious pets of people experiencing homelessness to keep people and pets together.
Over 100 Baptist Care SA’s WestCare Centre community members received more than just a haircut thanks to an initiative of the Islamic Society of South Australia and the Al Salam Humanitarian Foundation.
Haircuts for Homeless saw 10 skilled Muslim and non Muslim hairdressers and barbers lend their expertise to cut the hair of more than 100 people experiencing homelessness.
With hair care off the list for many in the West Care Centre community, this was a day of care and kindness.
President of the Islamic Society of South Australia, Ahmed Zreika, says the event demonstrates the society-wide values of empathy and inclusiveness.
Baptist Care SA acknowledges we work on the lands of the Kaurna, Peramangk and Boandik people. We respect the ongoing skilful custodianship of lands, skies and waters and the continuous deep cultural connection with Country. We pay respect to Elders and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from all Countries, Nations and Mobs.