Unsung community heroes will be celebrated at PeelConnect’s public dinner for agencies, individuals and groups tackling the issues of homelessness, mental health, drugs and alcohol.
One of these heroes is PeelConnect volunteer Jenny Marcinkus, who has been homeless herself.
Ms Marcinkus searches the streets providing homeless people food, toiletries, blankets and a hot drink, every Saturday night.
“We go and have a chat with them, and make sure they are okay and looking after themselves,” she said.
“I think people need to stop judging these people and start helping them.
“I have been homeless myself before and I understand what that’s like.”
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At the worst point, Ms Marcinkus said she was living out of a car with her children.
“I do know what it’s like to not have a house,” she said.
“The circumstances around why people become homeless are not always what people think.
“It’s not always due to alcohol and drugs. There are other issues people face that lead to the reasons why they are homeless.”
The volunteers frequent Smart Street Mall, Falcon, Pinjarra, Secret Harbour and the marina, looking for people they can provide with care packs.
PeelConnect chair Ron Withnell said PeelConnect helped “vulnerable” people, as well as homeless people.
“It might be mental health patients, or people who have just had a rough night,” he said.
“They could of had a conflict at home and have found themselves out there.
“We try to work out who they are, and how best they can help.”
PeelConnect volunteer Doreen Jones said more than 100 people attended last year’s dinner, a number she was hoping to double this year.
Ms Jones said each invited agency would be eligible for two complimentary tickets to attend on the evening “hoping they will encourage others to buy tickets”.
The event will be hold on August 1, from 6pm at Bendigo Stadium.
Tickets were available to the public and would include live entertainment and a two course meal.
For more information, email peelconnect@gmail.com or phone Ms Jones on 0414 873 441.
PeelConnect grew out of celebrated volunteer Reg Lambert’s work in the community.