Hillsong CityCare, in alignment with our commitment to making a significant and sustainable social impact within our community, has undertaken a thorough assessment of all our CityCare programs. This evaluation has led us to make some difficult decisions in order to better serve our community’s needs.
One of these programs, the ‘Homes of Peace’ program, located at our central Brisbane location, has been a beacon of hope and transformation for victims of domestic and family violence. Over the years, it has brought about remarkable stories of growth and restoration. However, after careful consideration, we regret to announce that the ‘Homes of Peace’ program is no longer sustainable for the long term. As a result, we will officially cease operations by the end of this year.
For those who have contributed to the Homes of Peace program, your impact and generosity have made a lasting impact. Here’s one beautiful story of just one of the many families who have had their lives forever changed:
“Recently one of our clients moved into her life of independence after being in our program for the past 12 months. The house she received is perfect for her young family, situated closer to her support network and nearby all the services she needs. Homes of Peace was able to donate all of her furniture and décor, enabling her to set up this house as her new home. The best part is, she is now paying less in rent than she was while using our services and has signed a three-year lease for long-term security.
Thanks to the connection with Homes of Peace and CityCare Youth programs, her oldest son smoothly transitioned to Hillsong Youth, where he connected and found a supportive community through the staff and volunteers from both CityCare and Youth programs. In fact, on the Friday night before their move, her son made a decision to follow Jesus and took a Bible home from the youth program.
Homes of Peace after-care support will continue to assist her and her family for the next three months, helping them integrate into a new Hillsong location and find their community.”
We want to assure our community that our commitment to supporting victims of domestic and family violence will continue to be a primary focus. In this new phase, we will continue our efforts through various initiatives:
- Annual provision of toys and food hampers at Christmas to domestic and family violence shelters across Australia.
- Running the Shine women’s program and extending our support to domestic and family violence shelters nationwide.
- Ensuring our pastoral care staff are trained in domestic and family violence response, to provide support and care to our congregation and the broader community.
We are immensely grateful for the incredible support and dedication shown by our volunteers, staff, and partners in the ‘Homes of Peace’ program. We remain committed to the vision of making a difference in the lives of those affected by domestic and family violence and will continue our mission through other meaningful initiatives.
For further inquiries or information, please contact us at [email protected].
About Hillsong CityCare:
Hillsong CityCare is a community-focused arm of Hillsong Church, dedicated to creating a positive and lasting impact on the lives of those in need. With our core mission to, “Building hope with vulnerable communities,” our programs and services are designed to engage with our local communities with the desire to see individuals, families and communities flourish.
Nov 6 2023
