Hawkesbury’s Helping Hands Inc.

Hawkesbury’s Helping Hands Inc is a community organisation dedicated to supporting individuals experiencing homelessness, those at risk of homelessness, and the working poor in the Hawkesbury region. Founded in 2011 by a young girl, Cassidy Strickland, and her mother Linda, the organisation began by serving meals in public parks and has since expanded to a permanent location in South Windsor. Over the years, it has served more than one million meals and provided a wide range of essential items and services to those in need.

Mission and Vision

The mission of Hawkesbury’s Helping Hands is to offer love, care, kindness, and practical support to vulnerable community members, ensuring they receive help with dignity every day of the year. The organisation envisions a community where no one goes hungry or feels alone, and where support is provided without judgment or conditions.

Main Objectives

• Provide free community meals regularly to those in need.
• Distribute emergency hampers to residents facing hardship.
• Offer a welcoming drop-in hub with facilities such as showers, food, and free Wi-Fi.
• Run a Technology Hub to provide computer access for those without it.
• Support disaster relief efforts during floods, fires, droughts, and pandemics.
• Host inclusive events like the annual Christmas Day lunch for people who might otherwise be alone.
• Distribute school supplies through an annual backpack drive.
• Collaborate with other charities and agencies to extend support networks.

Benefiting Groups

• People experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness.
• The working poor struggling to meet basic needs.
• Individuals and families affected by natural disasters and crises.
• Children requiring school supplies.
• Community members needing access to technology and basic hygiene facilities.

Services and Activities

• Free community meals served on weekends.
• Emergency hampers provided on a one-off basis to local residents.
• A drop-in hub open Wednesday to Friday offering showers, food, drinks, and Wi-Fi.
• A Technology Hub for computer access during drop-in hours.
• Annual Christmas Day lunch with no strings attached.
• Distribution of over 300 backpacks filled with school supplies each year.
• Provision of essential items including toiletries, clothing, blankets, sleeping bags, tents, swags, and pet supplies.
• Advice and support regarding accommodation and other available services.