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Baptist Care HopeStreet at Windale is a trusted place offering hope to people living with disadvantage and distress in our local community. Homelessness, drug addiction, domestic violence and mental illness are some of the issues faced by the people that visit the centre in Windale. HopeStreet work to provide hope for people experiencing great trials, through care and services that address these issues, while also looking to strengthen and support the local community.
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2023 Review
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Baptist Care HopeStreet at Windale is a trusted place offering hope to people living with disadvantage and distress in our local community. Homelessness, drug addiction, domestic violence and mental illness are some of the issues faced by the people that visit the centre in Windale. HopeStreet work to provide hope for people experiencing great trials, through care and services that address these issues, while also looking to strengthen and support the local community.
HopeStreet has undergone some big changes in the last 12 to 18 months structurally moving from three distinct sites to one Hunter Hub at Wallsend and Windale. Joy Shotter, the Chaplain, has spent a lot of time supporting staff, volunteers and community members through this change. HopeStreet continue to improve the low cost food shop which is vital to the community at Windale and Wallsend. Not only do they endeavour to stock the basic/staple items, they also attempt to have items that will encourage the community to have choices in food/personal hygiene/gardening items/kitchen etc without the high costs. The shop is also a space where the community feel safe and are able to come in and not be judged. The team know most of the visitors, who are made to feel welcome as part of the community. HopeStreet has had a growth in the number of people utilising the shop. The growth is not only reflected by the number of local community members, but also the number of vouchers that are issued by St Vinnies on a weekly basis. Having this service allows the community to have choices and make decisions based on what they need to sustain a healthy day to day life. Some of the community see the shop as a one stop place, where they can come and have a chat with other community members and the friendly staff/volunteers. HopeStreet are looking at running Oz Harvest's Nest program that builds connection and cooking and nutrition opportunities for participants. |
Music and Moves Christmas Party
Christmas Grocery packs delivered by NVL.
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2024 Support
In 2023, HopeStreet identified a financial need to assist people to access identity documents. The cost of this is often prohibitive to people who are on job seeker, youth allowance or single parenting payment. New Vine Lakes financial support of HopeStreet will assist many people to access these documents without the financial barrier.
HopeStreet have been excited to see New Vine Lakes serve the local community in such a beautiful, practical way. Breaky Church, men's Group and women's group have been amazing additions to the work in Windale.
Your support of $3,500 will:
HopeStreet have been excited to see New Vine Lakes serve the local community in such a beautiful, practical way. Breaky Church, men's Group and women's group have been amazing additions to the work in Windale.
Your support of $3,500 will:
- Contribute towards the work of Breaky Church, Men’s and Women’s ministries at HopeStreet run by our church.
- Contribute to the preparation of identity documents for people with this need.
Prayer and Praise
- Pray for the dedicated staff and volunteers as they provide consistent respectful empowering support for community members who find themselves in vulnerable situations.
- HopeStreet are moving through a period of change and much prayer is needed as they navigate that change as a team and implement new systems and ideas in the community.
- Prayerfully consider how you might be able to help serve and volunteer in the activities at HopeStreet.
- Give thanks for the many testimonies of lives changed.
Testimonies
In response to the last Music and Moves, the end of an era over 5 years.......
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"Aw no not the text message I was hoping for 😢 thank you to all you beautiful ladies for loving my children like your own and the endless support and love you have gave me and my children from that moment I arrived with baby Roman I felt safe, included and supported and never felt so much love from complete strangers who have accepted me and my kids like their own each and everyone of u beautiful ladies are so appreciated in our little group. we love you guys so much and hopefully can all catch up again soon ❤️❤️"
- Mum with 4 children (1 kinship foster child ) |
"Thank you for all those years of hard work and encouragement.
Our kids are blessed to have been given an opportunity that was rich in knowledge, experience and joyfulness." - Mum of 3 children (original mum from the first day of program) "Thats a shame. Kids love it.
Thanks for the fun and learning times in the past." - Grandmother who has her two grandsons full time in her care. |
"Oh I'm so sad, we're gunna miss seeing you guys every Tuesday. Thank you for always being so welcoming and lovely towards myself and Matilda. Hope you guys are doing well xxx"
- Mum who came and overcame social anxiety to be involved with her daughter each week. |
All In ...
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... to support people experiencing suffering and disadvantage.
After 6 years, Joy is finishing up as Chaplain at HopeStreet and is transferring into a chaplaincy role within BaptistCare at the Residential Aged Care Centre at Warabrook from April 2nd. We are grateful for Joy’s partnership with us as a church. Joy says, “Sometimes "All in" is proceeded with finishing up or putting down what has been and waiting for the next opportunity without really knowing what God has in store for you. An "All in" opportunity is normally a little bit out of our comfort zone. It beckons us into a space where we need to fully rely on God. It is leaving the good for the next unknown bit. It can make us feel unsettled, nervous but also excited and reliant on God.”
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