It’s spring time and I want to tell you about my determination to grow hope. It’s a determination that drives everything we do at The Exodus Foundation. Crucially it focuses our attention on improving the health of our needy guests. I’m talking about rough sleepers like Terry who was frail and suffered many of the illnesses common to the homeless – including diabetes and heart disease. Terry’s home was a suburban bus shelter and he came to us for hot...
Sometimes it’s the little things that make all the difference at my Exodus Foundation. A kind word or a comforting touch lets our homeless and needy guests know that they are not alone – that we are here to help. When I sit in our Loaves & Fishes Free Restaurant during the lunch time meal service I often witness some of the most impressive acts of kindness. The other day I watched a frail, homeless guest shuffle in. I could see that...
It’s seven o’clock on a chilly morning as I write this blog. The homeless are already queuing outside my Exodus Foundation, seeking refuge after another night on the streets. As winter sets in their plight will become even more desperate, but thanks to your support they don’t need to be cold and alone. Together we’re making their future better. We’ve got hot meals, healthcare and support services. In fact my amazing staff and volunteers often perform miracles – you can see...
Easter is a special time of year. To me it’s all about hope for a better future. I share that hope with all the homeless and needy guests who come to my Exodus Foundation. It is also a holy time of year and I think the work that my team and I do among the homeless makes it especially meaningful. I often wonder where Jesus would be at Easter, in a splendid church or helping the poor? We’re giving help and hope...
The timeless message of Easter is about hope. It’s about new life springing out of darkness and despair. Here at my Exodus Foundation we believe in doing hope, not just talking about it. Every day we see lives changed by caring acts of service performed by our wonderful staff and volunteers. Sometimes it’s giving a free meal to a hungry homeless person in our Loaves & Fishes Free Restaurant, but often it’s much more than that. Often it’s life...
Christmas Day is a time for family, and that’s what makes it so special at The Exodus Foundation. We become the family that thousands of needy, poor and homeless Sydneysiders don’t have. It truly is one of the happiest days of the year. Our guests arrive early and before long the queue for Christmas lunch stretches down Liverpool Road. This year marks the 32nd anniversary of our free Christmas Day lunch for the poor and homeless. “It’s a testament to the...
Christmas is a special time for families. It’s a time when we hold our loved ones close. I’m sure you know what I mean – that sense of belonging and the feeling of being loved. That’s why I want to thank you especially. Your support at Christmas means my Exodus Foundation becomes a loving family for thousands of desperately needy Sydneysiders. Without you, they’d have nothing. This Christmas we’ll serve up to 3,000 hot lunches with all the trimmings to the...
By Rev. Bill Crews For nearly 30 years we’ve been giving hope and better futures to the homeless. Now we are Sydney’s most significant frontline charity, preparing 800 meals for the needy every day, but these meals are just the beginning. The homeless need a range of specialised care services, so we have a team of counsellors and professionals to help. They see 80 people every day and help break the cycle of homelessness. I honour your support. It gives us all the...
Dear supporter, I always like to thank those who have given to our work. It’s because of these kind people that we have been able to change the lives of so many homeless Australians for almost 30 years. Together we’ve achieved much, but there is still a lot more to be done. Today, many Australians are stuck in grinding poverty and the number of homeless people on our streets has reached crisis levels. I’m sure you’ve seen it. For these needy people...
A bitter winter is looming. Already the nights are getting cold and it’s got me worried. You might remember a homeless lady died on a freezing night two years ago in Hornsby. Her fate is something me and my team at The Exodus Foundation work hard to prevent every day. At last count there were 19,471 people who were homeless or sleeping rough in greater Sydney. Sadly, too many of them are children and young people. Mary cares for one of them...
