It has been nearly six months since we opened our doors at Dom’s Place in Hornsby.

Dom’s Place supports men, women and families who are experiencing, or are at risk of homelessness. It shares its name and values with our friend Dom, a delightful young man who was involved with CatholicCare until his passing in 2021.

It operates as a ‘one-stop-shop,’ an inclusive space where people can feel safe and connected. Some people pop in to get a meal, wash their clothes and chat with a social worker to address housing needs. Others come and play a game of pool, use the computers and connect with employment pathways. Case management, counselling, groups and mental health supports are available, as well as referrals to other services as needed.

Other local services also operate from Dom’s Place including legal, housing, cultural, financial and medical services.

People can drop in when they like, no appointment is needed, and we are already welcoming around 20 people a day.

We are seeking fundraising support in order to grow this important service. Please give generously to this campaign which will directly support the vulnerable in our community.

Since opening we have started the following groups onsite:

· A 6 week drug and alcohol group that was so successful that it is being extended for the participants and additional groups are being planned.

· Smart recovery, wellbeing and self-care groups.

· Walking and art groups.

· BBQ breakfast and lunches where clients do the cooking.

· Social outings including movie trips.

We have a gardening group kicking off shortly where clients will work together to create a garden for Dom’s Place and we hope to start a literacy group shortly with the support of volunteers.

The feedback we hear from clients is wonderful and includes statements such as:

We are seeing some incredible outcomes already. Clients are engaging more with CatholicCare services and are achieving better outcomes since Dom’s Place opened. They’re bringing their friends and other people they have met to Dom’s to seek support from staff where they may not have previously reached out. Rough sleepers are accessing the services onsite and are becoming more open to housing supports.

We have also noticed that substance use in some client’s has reduced since opening as they are engaged in a routine, accessing groups and embracing the connections offered on site at Dom’s.

Some clients have advised that they want to volunteer at Dom’s Place in the future or explore studies in community services which is wonderful to hear and gives us confidence that our services are making a difference.

Dom’s Place is located at 9 Leonard Street, Hornsby and is open between 9.00am and 5.00pm Monday to Friday. Please join our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/domsplacehornsby for more information or call 1800 324 924.

The incredible team at CatholicCare were there to give Dom a safe place to stay, an understanding ear and they opened up a plethora of options for his future.

A traumatic change occurred in our once loving home when we found ourselves navigating the impact of alcoholism within our family unit. This awful disruptive affliction meant that ‘home’ was now unpredictable, chaotic and stressful.

In this confusing time Dom thankfully found help and refuge with the CatholicCare team. Dom would talk of the friends he had made, how they had supported him and how he felt he had made a positive impact on them too. Dom’s compassionate nature found a place where it was appreciated and needed and this inspired a passion in Dom to pursue becoming a case worker himself. Heartbreakingly, just as Dom was beginning his journey he passed suddenly from a heart condition leaving his friends and family devastated, and an unfulfilled mission behind.

Dom’s Place aligns so closely with the heart of our beautiful boy, a place which will foster a non-discriminative community, giving tools for independence and a direction for the future to those that feel they have nowhere else to go.

Most importantly though Dom’s Place will keep present his spirit of companionship, warmth and charisma. I can just imagine him welcoming all that come with open arms and with that amazing cheeky grin, making them feel loved, secure and ready to tackle their future.

Please support this important community initiative – every dollar helps.

Thank you, Angie x

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