Housing support sector staff have built a Wall of Gratitude to share the experiences of those working behind the scenes this Homelessness Week.
The installation, comprised of unsent, handwritten letters from workers to clients, is filled with the recognition of resilience, patience, and perseverance – even in the most desperate of situations.
The project is the initiative of CatholicCare state-wide coordinator of homelessness support services Denise Leonard, who said it provided workers with an opportunity to stop and reflect on the work they do as social workers, community workers, and support workers within the space of housing support.
“This project shines a light on the impact on professionals working in this area,” she said.
“The experience of workers in this space, and the powerlessness that many of us feel and experience is far greater than it ever was before, as is the level of distress and hopelessness that clients are experiencing.”
Denise said while in previous years the focus of the week had been on homelessness itself, the issue was now clearly in the spotlight.
“There has been no abating. The cost of living and affordability has sadly broadened the field of people coming into our service,” she said.
“At the beginning of the housing crisis, we were feeling like there would be a light at the end of the tunnel. Now, we feel like we are still weathering the storm, and there is more to come.”
Denise said she was in awe of staff, who maintained the compassion, tenacity, and care to keep “fighting the good fight.”
“It is not common that we see the other side of homelessness – those working behind the scenes of the rental crisis or working with people experiencing it directly,” she said.
“Our workers wrote these letters to clients, thanking them for the experience and the opportunity – the privilege – of walking alongside them in the journey.”
The letter excerpts offer powerful insight into the relationship between staff and clients.
“One starts beautifully, saying ‘I hope this letter finds you with the same courage and determination that has inspired me’,” Denise said.
“It is lovely and kind of poetic, but also a very moving statement.”
Denise said as a worker, there were times it was okay to not know what to do, and simply feel what the client was feeling.
“That can be a bit raw,” she said.
“You’re truly walking alongside the client.”
Denise said it was vital CatholicCare continued to be the “squeaky wheel”, advocating for more resources in the sector.
“The mantra has been housing ends homelessness – but for many people, housing alone does not end homelessness,” she said.
“There is a layer of psychosocial issues of coping and disadvantage. It is about recognising that we need more in terms of resourcing and supporting individuals who have those houses. This week is about saying what do we need? What do we want for our population? And repeatedly saying – they deserve more.”
The Wall of Gratitude is on display simultaneously in CatholicCare offices state-wide during Homelessness Week.
Other news you may be interested in
Housing support sector staff have built a Wall of Gratitude to share the experiences of those working behind the scenes this Homelessness Week.
The installation, comprised of unsent, handwritten letters from workers to clients, is filled with the recognition of resilience, patience, and perseverance – even in the most desperate of situations.
The project is the initiative of CatholicCare state-wide coordinator of homelessness support services Denise Leonard, who said it provided workers with an opportunity to stop and reflect on the work they do as social workers, community workers, and support workers within the space of housing support.
“This project shines a light on the impact on professionals working in this area,” she said.
“The experience of workers in this space, and the powerlessness that many of us feel and experience is far greater than it ever was before, as is the level of distress and hopelessness that clients are experiencing.”
Denise said while in previous years the focus of the week had been on homelessness itself, the issue was now clearly in the spotlight.
“There has been no abating. The cost of living and affordability has sadly broadened the field of people coming into our service,” she said.
“At the beginning of the housing crisis, we were feeling like there would be a light at the end of the tunnel. Now, we feel like we are still weathering the storm, and there is more to come.”
Denise said she was in awe of staff, who maintained the compassion, tenacity, and care to keep “fighting the good fight.”
“It is not common that we see the other side of homelessness – those working behind the scenes of the rental crisis or working with people experiencing it directly,” she said.
“Our workers wrote these letters to clients, thanking them for the experience and the opportunity – the privilege – of walking alongside them in the journey.”
The letter excerpts offer powerful insight into the relationship between staff and clients.
“One starts beautifully, saying ‘I hope this letter finds you with the same courage and determination that has inspired me’,” Denise said.
“It is lovely and kind of poetic, but also a very moving statement.”
Denise said as a worker, there were times it was okay to not know what to do, and simply feel what the client was feeling.
“That can be a bit raw,” she said.
“You’re truly walking alongside the client.”
Denise said it was vital CatholicCare continued to be the “squeaky wheel”, advocating for more resources in the sector.
“The mantra has been housing ends homelessness – but for many people, housing alone does not end homelessness,” she said.
“There is a layer of psychosocial issues of coping and disadvantage. It is about recognising that we need more in terms of resourcing and supporting individuals who have those houses. This week is about saying what do we need? What do we want for our population? And repeatedly saying – they deserve more.”
The Wall of Gratitude is on display simultaneously in CatholicCare offices state-wide during Homelessness Week.
Other news you may be interested in
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