There’s a new group in Cessnock looking to help those without a permanent roof over their head and they’ve already been flooded with support.
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Hunter Hands of Hope set up in December to provide dinner to homeless people on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from a rotunda in Cessnock TAFE park, complementing Soupz On which operates on Fridays and Saturdays.
But what started as a food drive has turned into an outreach service, with founder Melissa Gontier, her mum/right-hand woman Julie Hall and a small band of volunteers helping connect people with services, providing snacks and breakfast packs and in one instance, even fully furnishing a house for someone who recently found somewhere to live.
Ms Gontier said as a nurse, she saw many people come through the health system who needed help and after establishing the service, she was blown away by the response.
“We started with seven people, now we get about 21 and up to 24-25,” she said. “We have run out of food on some nights.”
Ms Gontier said Samaritans data showed there were 56 people living on the streets in Cessnock and more than 200 couchsurfers without a permanent place to live.
“Some of the people we see don’t even receive government support,” she said.
She pointed out there were no public water bubblers or showers in Cessnock and no 24-hour public toilets. Her goal is to set up an outreach centre with a laundry, bathrooms, kitchen and a space for services such as free hair cuts and doctors visits.
“This is what we are hearing is needed from the people that are living rough,” she said. “People don’t think there’s homeless people here because they aren’t always out in the streets. Some of them squat in rundown houses, they hide,” Ms Gontier said.
She said the vast majority of the people in need don’t have any family.
“Everyone has a story, some are more fortunate some are less fortunate,” Ms Hall said.
“A lot of them are very proud – they don’t want to ask for help,” Ms Gontier added. “But they’re so appreciative. The respect they have for us is amazing.
“One man cries every night. He says ‘I cannot believe people in the community are doing this for us’.
“We want to show them there are people who care.”
And there certainly are people who care. Ms Gontier said many had come forward to offer up meals, appliances and other forms of help.
She said Cessnock Council helped them get started in just four days before Christmas and other businesses had offered free legal and professional help.
“It has just evolved out of generosity,” Ms Gontier said. “I’m blessed to think we’re backed by such a wonderful community.
“I never thought it would have turned out like this. People have a lot of bad stuff to say about Cessnock but I could not be more proud of the community spirit.”
Ms Gontier is in the process of obtaining Incorporated status, so they can become a registered charity and not for profit organisation.
She said after that they would be looking to take on more volunteers and find a more permanent home – currently having to lug gear back and forth to the park where there is no electricity.
For more information and to help out visit the Hunter Hands of Hope Facebook page.