Sanctuary in the City
For over 100 years, the Baptist movement has sustained a strong missional commitment to addressing the needs of vulnerable and homeless people in the Adelaide CBD. Baptist Care SA is now planning to forge new transition pathways off the streets of Adelaide toward safer and more sustainable accommodation.
Inspired by the grace of God and the servant heart of Jesus, we accept the challenge to support the healing and restoration of people who are living in despair and languishing under layers of adversity that are beyond their control.
The WestCare Centre, located in Wright Street Adelaide, is a well-established ‘Sanctuary in the City’ that provides a safe, welcoming and supportive place for thousands of socially and economically disadvantaged people every year. Uniquely, 4-5 generations of Aboriginal people have found sanctuary and community in this place.
In an effort to build upon our heritage of faithful service, Baptist Care SA is developing bold plans to further enhance the range of support services and facilities to advance this highly missional service area. Four exciting projects are being actively pursued that aim to increase our capacity for service including:
• Enhanced Inner City Homelessness Service Model – We aim to add additional services and better align existing services in order to further strengthen the transition pathways of vulnerable people who are living and surviving on the fringes of the city
• Master Planning for the WestCare Site – The 5-10 year facility development plan will provide the blue print for a phased upgrade of the Centre’s ageing facilities to revitalise our ‘Sanctuary in the City’. We aim to enhance our capacity to respectfully respond to the needs and aspirations of thousands of vulnerable people who walk up the lane each year, including approximately 40% Aboriginal people, seeking hope, practical assistance and ‘sanctuary’ from the trauma and despair of their circumstances
• Health and Wellbeing Centre – In December this year, as a first step toward a larger development, we will open a Homeless Respite Centre (pilot program) that will provide 10 safe and supported beds for the recuperation of people who would otherwise be discharged from the Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH) onto the streets
• Housing Strategy – This pivotal work will increase Housing Transition Pathways that increase access to appropriate, affordable and stable accommodation for people living on low incomes.
How can you be a part of these exciting initiatives?
• Become a missional project partner for the Homeless Respite Centre
o We would warmly welcome any financial support (Approx $50k is
required) and in-kind contributions for the refurbishment of an ageing
building to accommodate
o Compassionate volunteers are also needed.
• Pray with us that the Homeless Respite Centre will become a place of restoration and blessing in the lives of vulnerable people.
Graham Brown
Chief Executive Officer
Baptist Care SA
