For the price of a cup of coffee once a week, Hunter Valley Men’s Crisis Support is asking for 100 Maitland people to help them provide accommodation for single homeless men.
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The appeal came on Friday after a new unit was unveiled – the group’s fourth unit in East Maitland for men going through the trauma of temporary homelessness and financial difficulty.
In its appeal for help, the group asked for 100 Maitland residents to donate $5 a week to help them cover the expense of running the units.
The first resident, Brett, moved into his new unit this week.
“These people in Men’s Crisis Support have given me more than just a roof over my head – they have given me the self-esteem to turn my life around,” the father of two said.
Crisis support manager Cr Philip Penfold, who founded the organisation, said $5 a week from 100 people would raise the $26,000 needed annually to keep the program going.
“Our new fourth unit in East Maitland was required for homeless men who had no other place to stay,” he said.
“These units are for men who had marriage breakdowns but had little money, even though they might still be working.
“They had no means of finding somewhere affordable to live and to pay board.
“Crisis support keeps the units furnished and the men staying there can contribute to the running costs where and when they are able.”
Before the group obtained the new unit, they had rented a motel room for $650 a week to help homeless men.
But Cr Penfold said that a more viable place with cheaper ongoing costs was needed.
“So we have launched our campaign to recruit Maitland residents to donate $5 a week and we’ve tied this to a website to take regular donations,” he said.
“Our program aims to help men so they don’t have to sleep on the streets, in cars or on a mate’s lounge.
“In addition to short-term accommodation, Hunter Valley Men’s Crisis Support can also provide food vouchers, mobile phones, mobile phone credit, furniture and, importantly, peer support and referrals.
“Separated men are a higher risk of suicide – four out of five suicides are single men.
“Being denied contact with their children, or having limited access to them, sends many men into deep depression.
“So we are seeking 100 people who can help us with a $5 donation every week.”
Donations can be made to www.hvmcs.org and Cr Penfold can be contacted on 0427 330 771.
