Crisis accommodation will be expanded in Redfern, New South Wales, thanks to a $10,000 grant awarded to not-for-profit charity Cana Communities, from energy provider Jemena.
The funding will help expand operations at St Francis House in Redfern, increasing crisis accommodation from four to six nights per week and adding a weekly community lunch. The initiative will provide shelter, meals, and support to an additional 1,040 people annually.
CEO of Cana Communities David Ballhausen said the charity was deeply grateful to receive a grant from Jemena's Community Grants Program.
"This generous support will help our volunteers open additional nights at St Francis House in Redfern, covering the cost of food, utilities, and essential care," he said.
"It is at St Francis House that our amazing roster of volunteers selflessly provide kindness, reassurance, and a safe space for those in our community who would otherwise have no one."
Now in its seventh year, Jemena's Community Grants Program has already provided about $870,000 in funding to 85 community groups. This includes $70,000 awarded earlier this year to initiatives supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
For its second round of grants in 2025, Jemena invited applications for initiatives that address disadvantage from not-for-profit organisations, schools, and charities delivering projects across Jemena's footprint. Pleasingly, this year, 16 community groups will share in over $163,000 of funding.
Craig Ypinazar, Jemena's Executive General Manager, People, Safety and Governance said the company was committed to supporting the most vulnerable in the communities in which it operates.
"Local volunteer organisations are at the heart of their communities. We can see from the type of applications we received that cost of living is still a major concerns for many in our community. These grants can go some way towards assisting those who really need it." Mr Ypinazar said.
"This year we have provided assistance to a range of different services including food programs, multicultural outreach programs and an animal rescue that supports disadvantaged pet owners, especially those escaping domestic and family violence."
