Speaker - Michael Starr Coast Shelter

Coastshelter is a registered Community Housing Provider operating crisis accommodation refuges across the region for people who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or experiencing domestic and family violence. Our club and individual members have a long history of support for

Coastshelter, through Toast the Coast, volunteer support and participation on Coastshelter’s Board and working as part of the team.

Last week we heard from Michael Starr, CEO of Coastshelter about what Coastshelter has been up to over the last twelve months and the plans for the future.

The causes of homelessness can be numerous, sudden, and affect people from all stages of life. Poverty, unemployment, mental illness, domestic violence and a shortage of affordable housing are common contributing factors leading to homelessness. Coast Shelter provides a safe environment for people to access services and support to help get their life back on track.

Coast Shelter delivers a response to strengthen after-hours domestic violence support as one of the leading causes of homelessness, including increased crisis and temporary accommodation. They also provide tailored local service options such as safety planning, case management, and assessment.

For 30 years, Coast Shelter’s Community Centre and Restaurant has provided free meals, as well as personal, financial, legal and health support and care for the most vulnerable people in our community.

Through the generous support of over 200 volunteers, and corporate and financial donors, the Community Centre kitchen prepares and serves thousands of meals every year.

The service is an inclusive and safe meeting place for all people when they need help the most. Coast Shelter is committed to helping people when they need help the most and we thank the team and their corporate partners, donors, funding bodies, staff and volunteers for their ongoing support

and commitment to ending homelessness on the NSW Central Coast.