MANDURAH agencies are uniting for national Homeless Persons’ Week in the aim to break down the stigma surrounding homelessness.
The annual event will see more than 25 government and non-government groups come together on the foreshore to raise awareness of the homeless situation within the Mandurah community.
It is designed to connect homeless people to the relevant and local resources and services.
WestAus Crisis chief executive Lynn Rodgers said the idea was to create a relaxed event where people can feel comfortable to approach someone for help.
“While we are hoping to raise awareness we will also be having entertainment and free food but mainly lots of services will be available to all who have any questions,” she said.
“We are hoping the Mandurah community will get behind this event by the way of general public attending.”
There will be free new jackets given out on the day as well as men’s and women’s personal care products, swags, self-portraits and Polaroid pictures.
Ms Rodgers said it would be great if a local opportunity shop, a dentist and a hairdresser got on board for the August 6 event to offer their services or products free of charge as well.
Passages Resource Centre is just on of the local support agencies that will be there on the day and coordinator Janine Conway said the day was an opportunity for people to learn first-hand some of the issues which face disadvantaged people in the Peel region.
“There are still too many young people doing it tough in the Mandurah area and we need to work together to provide the help and support they need,” she said. “In the three months from April to June this year, Passages helped 195 young people, ranging from 12-25 years.
“We hope the Mandurah community will come down and show their support on the day and learn about the issue of homelessness and what can be done to help those in need.”
The Homeless Person’s Week event will be at the eastern foreshore by the rotunda on Wednesday, August 6 from 10am-2pm.