Thanks to our Members, volunteers and donors, 6,000 Coats for the Homeless are being distributed across Australia to rough sleepers.

To everyone who has contributed to this project – THANK YOU! We wanted to share some images from the distribution and messages of thanks we have received.

“I wish you could see the looks on the faces of the homeless men who get them…….. on Wednesday last I gave out three. Each of the blokes was looking cold and miserable and each time, I offered them a coat to try on to see if they would want one…..none of them would take them off, they were grinning like Cheshire cats and each said, in his own way, that they felt warm for the first time in ages.

They were each so grateful..it is rare to see smiling.

Your work is much appreciated! ”
Anne Smith, President, St Vincent de Paul Albany

Just a note to say a very big thank you for the wonderful donation of those great winter coats. Many of our women sleep rough or in poor conditions and those coats are not only warm but provide a boost to their self-esteem.

Thank you again for thinking of Lou’s Place

(a community-based refuge in Sydney for women in crisis, homeless, feeling isolated or needing support).

“Many thanks for these wonderful coats.
The members of our community who are doing it tough and living on the street have found them absolutely fabulous.
We have a lot of fun when they try them on with them showing off as though they are on the catwalk. One woman who came to our crisis house had only a cardigan and now she is as warm as toast and really loving her jacket with a spring in her step.
They are all so grateful for your amazing generosity and they have all asked me to pass on their heartfelt thanks.
You now have an extra 96 supporters.
Thanks again – so much appreciated.”

Best wishes from all at Cana Communities

(organisation that runs homeless shelters, support and respite services in Sydney)

In the metropolitan area the coats have gone to St Pat’s Fremantle, The Shopfront, Daydawn, Passages, and Tom Fisher House.
In the country the coats have been distributed to Mandurah, Albany, and Kalgoorlie Boulder through St Vincent de Pauls.

Today a further 400 coats have arrived and will be ready for distribution in the next week or so. Vinnies have undertaken to distribute these coats according to feedback about the demand.

Dr Michael Shanahan, Coats for the Homeless project Co-Ordinator in WA

“It is easy, when focusing on your own life, to block out the rest of the world. The homeless in our city become apart of the landscape when we spend all of our time looking inward. This experience was very grounding, and reminded me of the many faces of homelessness, that it is a circumstance which affects a wide variety of people. It reminded of the value of simple things – many people were content with conversation, the simply joy of a warm jacket, the pleasure of a warm meal.”

Ashley, Coats distribution volunteer from Newman College Melbourne

A special mention to Simon National Carriers for providing freight services in support of this project and Oxford Shop for their warehousing and freight assistance. Both companies have supported this project over the years and we are extremely grateful for their ongoing commitment and generosity.