CEO Update - Autumn 2020
Chris Burns, CEO (left) with Tim O'Callaghan, Chair (right). Photo credit: The Southern Cross
It is an honour and great pleasure to write to you for the first time as CEO of Hutt St Centre. This is indeed an incredible organisation, and we are fortunate to have the support of people like you, who are so dedicated to helping people rebuild their lives. We could not do what we do every day without your support – thank you.
This is a difficult time for so many of us as our community faces the uncertainty of COVID-19. The steadfast support of donors like you through this challenging period means the world to the clients and staff who rely on your kindness.
Hutt St Centre is continually reviewing and adapting our response to COVID-19 in relation to provision of services to people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness. Additionally, we are addressing work, health and safety guidelines for staff, volunteers, and donor engagement programs to ensure people remain safe.
We are following the advice of the Australian Government, SA Health and the Australian Government Department of Health. We will be focusing on critical activities and ensuring our clients are as prepared as possible in this current environment.
As our services are a critical part of people’s lives, we will continue to provide essential wellbeing services to our clients.
Hutt St Centre has transformed the lives of so many people since its inception in 1954 and outgoing CEO, Ian Cox made an immense impact during his 16 year tenure as the CEO. I wish him every success with the next phase of his career and thank him sincerely for his outstanding contribution to rebuilding the lives of so many vulnerable people.
I would like to extend a warm welcome to Tim O’Callaghan, the new Chair of our Board. Tim’s wealth of experience as a leader in the not for profit sector will be invaluable and we are delighted to have him guiding our Board.
Having spent the last three and half years as South Australia’s Mental Health Commissioner, I’m passionate about advocating and improving opportunities for people experiencing disadvantage – and what I have witnessed even in my short time here at Hutt St Centre is extraordinary. Kindness without measure, trust and confidence rebuilt, new careers forged, reconnection with family when all hope was lost and most importantly, connection with community and the safety and comfort of a home, for the first time in many, many years.
Everyone has a story at Hutt St. For some of the people we see after a lonely night on the street, the smile, words of comfort and warm meal they receive here is the first kindness they have experienced for some time.
That first greeting for every person who walks through our door, with care and without judgement, can mean the start of a journey towards the end of homelessness. This is what happened for Jeff*, when he bravely reached out to Hutt St for help.
Battling ill-health and estrangement from his little daughter really took its toll on Jeff. A passionate ‘foodie’ who had learned his trade as a cook ‘on the job’, he was trying his best to find work. But without the necessary qualifications, it was hard. And after a major health scare and financial difficulties, finding his own home so he could have visits from his daughter, seemed impossible.
Today Jeff has a different story to tell. After so many years being alone, with no family support and no self-confidence, Jeff has found his feet, through gentle encouragement from our Case Manager, Harry*, and simply having someone who believes in him again. He’s got a regular job, an apprenticeship and he’s aiming for a two-bedroom place of his own, so he can re-connect with his daughter. He has told us how much he misses her.
The enclosed issue of The Word from the Street is our opportunity to show you the wonderful outcomes you make possible every day. Jeff’s inspiring story is just one of the ‘good news’ stories we have for you.
I know you’ll love the story of Mia* and Sam*, Kevin’s* kids, who have a safe and happy home again after losing their mum and their home; Jordan*, who is working towards his dream of a defence force career and Beverly*, who just spent Christmas Day with her youngest daughter, a day she barely dreamed would ever happen.
Every day we hear so many heartbreaking stories. Homelessness can happen to anyone, at any time. Hutt St Centre is there at the worst of times, to help create the best of times for people facing homelessness, with meals and amenities, advice and encouragement about education and employment, assistance with housing, health and wellbeing.
In our last issue, we asked for your help to rebuild our lockers – for some people, the only safe place that exists for their precious few possessions. Your response was phenomenal, and the new lockers will be purchased and built in the coming months. We look forward to sharing the project’s progress in our next issue.
Now I need to ask for your help again. By making a donation today, you will help ensure we can continue to provide the exceptional support and care that has given people like Jeff a brand new start.
At a time when there has been heartache and anguish in communities due to the bushfires, and now great uncertainty and change due to COVID-19, we are incredibly grateful to you as a valued member of our Hutt St community. There are many more people who need our help right now.
Thank you,
Chris Burns
Chief Executive Officer
PS: I’m sure that when you read the stories in this issue, you’ll be so inspired by people like Jeff*, Jordan* and Beverly*. There are so many people right now who need the support of Hutt St. Your kind donation will make that possible.