Outreach
Our outreaches are entirely focused on providing aid, hospitality, inclusiveness and community.
Street Angels
Our outreach to those who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness.
Our volunteers are the Street Angels; why not come and get your wings?
Our volunteers go out into the Yarra Ranges most days of the week, with messages from the public or the Yarra Ranges Council about a particular location or known people, or visit known locations of previous rough-sleepers seeking anyone who may be there. Wednesdays we host a nutritious lunch in Melba Park, Lilydale. Our lunch provides a delicious meal, with a focus on hospitality and community.
Our approach whether on outreach or the lunch is to be as welcoming, friendly and non-threatening as possible. We enquire about how they are going, ensuring they are safe and not a danger to themselves or others. We ask if they are connected with Anchor and are aware of their services, as well as any of the other community services such as community meals or first aid etc that they may require a referral to access.
Meanwhile, we offer material aid such as backpack beds, blankets, sleeping bags, seasonal clothing (including shoes), and non-perishable food.
Without judgement, we offer our services to anyone, as long as they are not too drug or alcohol affected that it changes their behaviour to be threatening to the safety of ourselves or the others we are trying to help.
Street Angels are out there because there is no crisis or emergency housing in the Yarra Ranges.
There are many opportunities for you to earn your wings as Street Angels.
Help us reach more into the community and provide aid to the homeless or those at risk of homelessness.
Street Angels Weekly Lunch
Wednesday's at 12noon
Market Street, Lilydale. Beside the Lilydale Swimming Pool.
Holy Fools’ Street Angels have been serving a complimentary nutritious and delicious lunch every Wednesday for almost 5 years. Our volunteers’ set-up a hospitable space under a beautiful elm tree and offer lunch prepared by our amazing volunteers.
This is also an opportunity for services such as Anchor and Eastern Health to provide care for those attending.
Christmas Day Lunch
Join us for our 5th annual Christmas Day Lunch!
Come join us! There is no reason to spend Christmas alone!
Our Christmas Day lunch is open to anyone in our local community, particularly to those who are homeless or would typically be spending the day alone. Doors open at 11:45 am for light refreshments, with the main Christmas meal served at 12:30 pm.
Tasty Az helps provide the meal, which includes the usual Christmas treats including roast lamb and pork, chicken, ham, roast potatoes, vegetables and salads. We also serve Christmas puddings, fruit salad and other treats. We provide plenty of entertainment on the day, including carols, face painting, kids activities, a Christmas photo booth, our world-famous Christmas Trivia and of course a visit from Santa or his helpers with gifts for the children.
Our lunch is free, but bookings are essential.
There are limited opportunities for volunteers. Applications for volunteering will open in October.
If you’re interested in supporting in any way, either through a donation of gifts or finances, please contact us via email at info@holyfools.org.au
This is your opportunity to partner with us to provide community and nutritious (and delicious!) Christmas Lunch!
Help us to provide a delicious three-course Christmas Lunch for 100’s of people each year!
Christmas Food Hampers
Proving food-relief over the Christmas break.
For many families and individuals in our community, Christmas can be one of the most difficult times of the year.
For people on a low income, whether homeless or not, this is especially true. Many are experiencing unemployment, reduced work hours, mental health or physical health issues, increased rental or housing costs, and often struggling with the cost of living.
Each year, we gift Christmas Hampers for struggling families in conjunction with other organisations in Lilydale and the Yarra Ranges.
In 2017, we shared over 100 hampers
In 2018, we shared over 120 hampers.
In 2019, we shared over 130 hampers.
From mid-November, we start calling for donations of items for the hampers. We invite you to join us in making a difference in people’s lives by donating items for the hampers.
Details for donating goods can be found on our Facebook page.
You can also get involved with our annual hamper-packing day!
Usually held a week or so before Christmas, hamper-packing is a great way to get involved and have fun with others!
