STORIES FROM THE STREETS       WEBSITE & FORUM ENQUIRIES - EMAIL: friendsofthestreet@hotmail.com  Mob: 0415073540

          WHO ARE  'FRIENDS OF THE STREET'

We are every day people, neighbours, friends and the business sector that have come together to help those in the Community suffering serioushardship.

People come up to me and ask..."Why do we do what we do?"

Checking parks and gardens, behind waste bins, businesses and shops..Looking after the 'faceless people' The homeless men, women and children and those that feel forgotten amongst our community.....The greater percentage being Aboriginal/Torres Straight Islander, Supplying warm blankets and dry clothes, to make sure they have enough meds for their medical problem they might have..

To providing a feed of hot chips or a thermos of hot chocolate to 3-4 people huddling under a piece of tarp trying to keep dry in a downpour..And then there are the 'Couch Hoppers'...those that are lucky enough to know someone, to have a friend that will put them up for a few nights, or to share someones backyard shed with some other poor soul...I've been on the other end where i needed help and there was none. I've lived in a cardboard box and in doorways, abused as a child 'wardie' of the state, and no-one cared, met and shared some life with murderers and child killers, rapists, and  tough guys, prostitutes and corrupt police....none of it was overly good...but it was all a life learning experience, and most of these people had a nice side to them.....warped as it sounds..
because life's just not that black and white....it's who people really are that's important....not just the bad things they may do...

"Isn't it dangerous 'out there'?"
 For those on the the streets?..yes very..more so towards the cities..Some Homeless suffer violence by those with nothing better to do than create further hardship issues for people that just want to be left alone..
Personally...in our area, No...It can be 'delicate' at times, but a trust is built up and trust leads to friendship...

Take care all...

Phill...
Founder - Chairman
Friends Of The Street.
Qld Australia.
STORIES FROM THE STREET
The stories below are true...they involve real people in desperate situations. All names and places have been edited.

THE OTHER END OF THE PHONE:


I'M GONNA TOP MESELF!
That's what this 57 yr old fella on the other end of the phone said to me...he was near a bridge over a river and contemplating what he saw as a hopeless future..
He'd lost his wife of many years to cancer 10 years ago...he lost his job through the depression of it all, he lost the house, ran out friends couches to sleep on, and now it's just him and his old dog of 16 years that he is now looking at 'putting down' because he can't look after it any more, let alone himself..
After a longgg chat, He finally changed his mind and we found him somewhere temporary to live, some food..a bit of company......but sadly his old friend will probably have to move on upstairs..whats wrong with society today?..people just don't seem to care about others as they should...and it's really starting to piss me off..there are no services around here for homeless issues...those with the power to do something about it agrees with all the needs, but thats where it ends...
..........more important issues to deal with...crap..
LETTERS AND MAIL:

December 2010
I would like to give this letter in support of an excellent and extremely valuable service that is currently running in my community.
On the 4th of December 2010 i found myself in a terrible financial position, due to the recent national bank melt down.
As a result i had no funds to supply my family with essential medications and food. 
My daughter had recent spinal surgery and desperately required medication, i was at a loss of how to obtain funds to get this especially as it was a Saturday and all charity organisations are closed.
A friend informed me that there a charity called Friends of the Street that maybe able to help me...
I contacted this organisation immediatly.. I was responded to that same day, i was very surprised.

Not only did they help to to supply my desperate medical needs they supplied me with enough food to get me through till i paid paid the following week.  Since that day i was also informed that a Christmas hamper would be delivered to me just to help for christmas, that was such a wonderful surprise and a relief as Christmas is such a financial struggle. I am extremely grateful for this help as there was nothing else out there to help me. Friends of the Street will be a valuable service to our community and i hope it will continue...
(name withheld for confidential reasons)
A morayfield mum.
December 2010
To Whom it may concern.
I am a single mum of five and a grandmother of seven. My eldest daughter is in hospital and i am looking after her five children, I rang several organisations today, non of which could help, then i was given the number for Fots, within hours they arrived with nappies, food and clothing,
if it wasn't for friends of the street, i don't know what i would have done.
sincerely
(name withheld for confidential reasons)
Caboolture Mum
To it may concern.
My partner an i struggle from fortnight to fortnight to put food on the table, we have had to ring friends of the street for help with food. we have had to go to court for personal problems and phill was there to give support, my partner and I have known phill for 17 months and he is the only one who have done anythnig for us both.
(name withheld for confidential reasons)
morayfield couple.
I am a mum with 3 kids, my husband is on low wages, we struggle from week to week, one afternoon a friend gave us this flyer and twice we have had to get help from friends of the street and they were right there to help. I am glad to have people like this close, even if you need someone to talk to, they are there when you need them, no questions asked.they are wonderful and kind and generous and they go to great lengths to help,
Keep up the good work Friends of the Street.
From a very grateful mum to people that give their all to help anytime.
FROM OUT ON THE STREETS:
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