Samaritans Foundation

Australian charity

Samaritans Foundation (or Samaritans) is an Australian-based charity operating in New South Wales. The organisation provides a number of social support services for the homeless and people with disabilities.[1][2][3]

## History

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The roots of Samaritans was the Newcastle Anglican Board of Social Work operated by the Anglican Church in Newcastle. On October 14, 1984, the Newcastle Anglican Board of Social Work was redefined as the Samaritans Foundation (or “Samaritans”) with the expressed mission to “assist in the expansion of the social and community service work within the Diocese.” The organisation's early work began with a few key services including emergency relief, a family centre and op shops.[1]

## Homeless shelters

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Samaritans operates a number of homelessness support services including youth refuges and women's shelters.

### Youth refuges

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Samaritans operates two youth refuges providing emergency accommodation for homeless youth. The refuges are:

* Samaritans Youth Accommodation (Newcastle), formerly known as Clarendene House; and,
* Samaritans Youth Accommodation (Maitland), formerly known as Maitland Youth Crisis Centre.[4]

### Women's shelters

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Following the NSW government's Going Home Staying Home homelessness program, a number of women's refuges were closed, while others which had previously been feminist run domestic violence refuges were handed over to large charity providers. In the wake of the reforms, Samaritans took over operations of the Kempsey Women's Refuge, now operating as the Kempsey Homeless Support Service for Women.[5]

## People

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In February 2016, Samaritans appointed Peter Gardiner as the organisation's new CEO. The previous CEO, Cec Shevels, had held the post for 25 years before announcing his retirement from the Anglican organisation.[6]

## See also

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* Homelessness in Australia

## References

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1. ^ a b "Our History - Samaritans - Newcastle & NSW".
2. ^ Sharp, Cassandra (26 October 2016). "Bean counters on the money with ways to help youth".
3. ^ Patty, Anna (6 December 2015). "Homeless domestic abuse survivor awarded for volunteering effort".
4. ^ Seldowitz, Dovi. Youth Refuge Directory: NSW Specialist Homelessness Services – Crisis Accommodation (2016 Edition)[permanent dead link]. Caretakers Cottage. 2016.
5. ^ "Regional Women's Refuges Are Being Ripped Apart". 23 March 2015.
6. ^ "Samaritans appoints new CEO". 7 December 2015.

* v
* t
* e

Homelessness in Australia

Service providers|

* Anglicare
* Barnardo's
* Caretakers Cottage
* Coast Shelter
* Detour House
* FareShare (Australia)
* HomeGround Services
* Jewish House
* Launch Housing
* Mission Australia
* Najidah
* Orange Sky Laundry
* Salvos
* Samaritans Foundation
* Southern Youth and Family Services
* Taldumande Youth Services
* Toora Women
* UnitingCare Australia
* Vinnies
* Wayside Chapel
* Wesley Mission
* Wintringham Specialist Aged Care
* Youth Off The Streets
* Youthcare Hervey Bay
* Launch Housing
* WAYSS

Peak body organisations|

| Homelessness|

* Council to Homeless Persons
* Homelessness Australia
* Homelessness NSW
* Homelessness SA
* NT Shelter
* Queensland Shelter
* Shelter Tasmania
* Shelter WA

|

Youth homelessness|

* National Youth Coalition for Housing
* Queensland Youth Housing Coalition
* Yfoundations
* Front yard
* Melbourne City Mission
* Wombat housing Support Services
* Youth projects
* Street smart Australia

|

Events|

* Homeless Persons' Week
* Youth Homelessness Matters Day
* Youth Refuge Week

Government programs|

* Supported Accommodation Assistance Program

Misc.|

* The Choir of Hard Knocks
* The Big Issue (Australia)
* The Oasis (2008 film)

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