Don’t let poverty leave kids hungry and homeless this Christmas

✓ One-Off

Recurring

Giving a recurring gift has a greater impact

$50 can provide a family of four with a Christmas meal

$75 can provide a child with breakfast and essentials for a week

$250 can provide emergency accommodation for a family at risk of homelessness

Other Amount

Your Donation:

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The reality of poverty in Australia

This Christmas, 1 in 6 children will be living in poverty*

*Statistics from the Australia Council of Social Service - Poverty in Australia 2022.

The cost-of-living crisis is pushing more families into poverty, leaving many without essentials.

This robs children of their futures, affecting their development and opportunities.

Some live in cars or overcrowded spaces, their childhood dreams replaced by adult worries.

Statistics from the Australian Council of Social Service - Poverty in Australia 2022 paint a sobering picture:

Homelessness disrupts education, leading to poor academic performance.

Homelessness increases the risk of mental health issues.

Homelessness raises the likelihood of future homelessness in adolescence and adulthood.

PLEASE DONATE NOW

A father and his daughter: James^ and Olivia’s^ story

When James’ wife Cristina^ died, his world crumbled. Drowning in debt and struggling with being a single father, he quit his trucking job to care for Olivia. “Everything I knew about being a man went up in smoke,” James recalls.

Facing homelessness, James swallowed his pride and sought help at one of our Barnardos Children’s Family Centres. “You didn’t see a failure. You saw a father,” he wrote. Barnardos provided crucial support - from CV help and rent negotiation to parenting courses and counselling.

James learned to redefine fatherhood: “I learned to talk to Olivia, to be there in ways my father never was.” Today, their bond is stronger than ever. While challenges remain, James faces them with newfound confidence.

“I’m not the man I thought I had to be,” James reflects. “I’m the father my child needs me to be.”

PLEASE HELP FAMILIES LIKE JAMES

The impact of your support

Stories like James and Olivia’s are just one of many. Thanks to supporters like you,
thousands of Australian families are finding hope and stability.

In 2023-2024, your help supported:

878 parents and carers
through parenting programs.

1,068 children in early learning
and education programs.

686 children, young people and families through supported housing.

Your support doesn’t just address immediate needs – it breaks the cycle of poverty,
giving children the best possible start in life.

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Become a Barnardos Buddy with an ongoing donation

By becoming a Barnardos Buddy today, you will not only help provide essential services but also bring hope and the promise of a brighter future to many vulnerable children in our care.

Your ongoing support can change lives.

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^Stock images. Models used for illustrative purposes
and names changed to protect privacy.