CSBB fundraiser banner

PLEASE HELP US FUNDRAISE FOR OUR DIOCESAN HOMELESSNESS SERVICES

Dom’s Place in Hornsby and Mary Mac’s Place in Woy Woy supports men, women and families experiencing homelessness or social isolation. These hubs are operated by CatholicCare, our dedicated Diocesan social services agency.

These hubs are more than just a place to get a meal – they offer connection, care and a sense of belonging without judgement. People can access a safe space to shower, wash clothes, and get help connecting with services like Legal Aid, counselling, health care and housing support. Food hampers are also available for those doing it tough.

Each year 68,000 people across NSW reach out to specialist homelessness services, desperately seeking shelter and support. Sadly, the need far exceeds available resources, meaning far too many people are left without a safe place to turn. Add to this the rising cost of living, and the demand for these essential services grows beyond what we are funded to provide. Your fundraising efforts provide a lifeline – they keep our doors open, our showers running and hot meals on the table for people who need them most.

This video will talk you through the various assets below. If you have any questions about this fundraiser please reach out to Ashleigh Donnelly, CatholicCare’s Community & Outreach Manager on 0466 255 033 or ashleigh.donnelly@catholiccaredbb.org.au. 

Hear from Bishop Anthony on how you can help

Nationally, homelessness has risen by 21% since 2015. That’s 135,000 people – each one with a name, a story, and a deep longing for stability, for dignity, for a place to call home. In response, CatholicCare is on the ground every day – at Dom’s Place, Mary Mac’s Place, across our women’s refuges, transitional accommodation and young parents’ homelessness services.

This August, Bishop Anthony is asking every Diocesan Parish and School to once again stand with CatholicCare. To pray, to advocate, and, if you are able, to give.

resource 1

Danny Casey letters

Danny Casey, Director of Schools encourages all our primary schools to participate in this important mufti fundraiser. As we strive together toward Bishop Anthony’s visionworking as one Body of ChristCSBB have a unique opportunity to support some of our Diocese’s most vulnerable individuals and families.

DANNY CASEY LETTER
Letter for primary schools Principals

 

resource 1 copy

flyer/poster & BLOGS

Launch promo: Week of 21 July
Here you will find a flyer that can be used in your school newsletter and/or printed as a poster. It is available in PDF and JPEG format.
These blogs also highlight the importance of our homelessness services and the difference they make in the lives of everyday people.

MARY MAC’S PLACE STORY
Meet Steve

DOM’S PLACE STORY
Meet David

resource 1 copy 2

TEACHING RESOURCES

To support our upcoming mufti fundraiser for people experiencing homelessness, we’ve developed a set of simple, age-appropriate teaching resources for primary school students. These are designed to help students understand the issue of homelessness with empathy and insight, and to connect their learning to meaningful action on the day.

POSTER
Who is Mary MacKillop?

DIOCESEAN FACTS
Homelessness statistics

WEB PAGES
Mary Mac’s Place
Dom’s Place

resource 1 copy 3

Social Media & APP PROMOS

Below you will find two ready-to-use promos and blurbs that you can share on your school Facebook page or parent app.

Post 1: Monday 28 July
BISHOP VIDEO
Share this video and the blurb below.

Post 2: Monday 4 August
MUFTI DAY FUNDRAISER
Share this tile and the blurb below.

resource 1 copy 4

WATCH the bishop's video

There are 135,000 people nationally – like Keira – each one with a name, a story, and a deep longing for stability, for dignity, for a place to call home. In response, CatholicCare is on the ground every day at Dom’s Place and Mary Mac’s Place welcoming those in need and helping them heal. But we cannot do this without you. 

BISHOP VIDEO
Available here.

resource 1 copy 5

SET UP YOUR PLATFORM FOR CASHLESS DONATIONS

Catholic Schools Broken Bay’s preference is for schools to use QKR to collect money for this fundraiser. If your school does not use this facility, please set up a Compass event. Details are provided below on how to set this up.
Please contact School Business Support for assistance in setting up an ‘event’ if required. 

Proceeds of the fundraiser should be banked by Friday August 29.

 

Blurbs for Social media & APPs

Post 1: Monday 28 July 2025
MUFTI DAY FRIDAY 8 AUGUST
DISCOVER THE IMPORTANCE OF OUR DIOCESAN HOMELESSNESS SERVICES – A VIDEO FROM BISHOP ANTHONY & KEIRA

There is no place like home – but for many having a home is not a reality. The causes may be diverse, but the impact is the same – a loss of dignity and a sense of hopelessness.​ Dom’s Place in Hornsby and Mary Mac’s Place in Woy Woy support men, women and families experiencing homelessness or social isolation. These hubs are operated by CatholicCare, our dedicated Diocesan social services agency.

Please support our mufti day on Friday 8 August. As Bishop Anthony and Keira share here, your donations allow us to keep these essential services running.
We are going cashless this year. To donate, please visit [SCHOOL TO ADD LINK TO DONATION PLATFORM]

Post 2: Monday 4 August 2025
MUFTI DAY FRIDAY 8 AUGUST
PLEASE HELP US FUNDRAISE FOR OUR DIOCESAN HOMELESSNESS SERVICES

There is no place like home – but for many having a home is not a reality. The causes may be diverse, but the impact is the same – a loss of dignity and a sense of hopelessness.​ Dom’s Place in Hornsby and Mary Mac’s Place in Woy Woy support men, women and families experiencing homelessness or social isolation. These hubs are operated by CatholicCare, our dedicated Diocesan social services agency.

Please support our mufti day on Friday 8 August (coinciding with Mary MacKillop’s Feast Day). Your donations allow us to keep these essential services running.
We are going cashless this year. To donate, please visit [SCHOOL TO ADD LINK TO DONATION PLATFORM]

How to collect & remit the funds

Catholic Schools Broken Bay’s preference is for schools to use QKR to collect money for this fundraiser.
If your school does not use this facility, please set up a Compass event.
Please contact CSBB’s School Business Support on schoolbusinesssupport@dbb.org.au for assistance in setting up an ‘event’ if required. 

QKR INSTRUCTIONS

Department: CHARITY
Menu Name:  Mary Mac Fundraiser
Product Name: Mary Mac’s Donation
Event Date: 1 – 31 August 2025
Amount Options: $2.00, $5.00, $10.00 and Other
GL Code: xxx-2-831-60091-1000 (where xxx is your school Location Code)
GST: NA

COMPASS INSTRUCTIONS

Event Billing Item Template:  Event Template – Charities (Mary Mac)
Event Date: 1 – 31 August 2025
Roll Marking Mode: No Roll /No Attendance
Default Cost per attendee: $2.00

CASH DONATIONS INSTRUCTIONS

Sundry Receipt: Charities
GL Code: xxx-2-831-60091-1000 (where xxx is your school Location Code)
GST: NA

REMITTING THE FUNDS AFTER COLLECTION

Proceeds should be receipted to Natural Account 60091 (Charities Clearing) using department code 831 (Charity other).
Once the proceeds have been banked a Purchase Order should be created to remit the funds to the charity.
A form 30 should be emailed to CSBB Finance to arrange payment. 

Latest HOUSING & HOMELESSNESS NEWS

At the mercy of his perpetrator

For several months, 66 year old Peter lived between hotels. As he grappled with memory loss and substance use, Peter would rely on the goodwill of hotel owners and acquaintances for shelter.

Read More

Every Monday, I look half decent again!

You can tell it’s Monday at Mary Mac’s Place by looking at the queue for the shower. “Weekends are long because everyone is hanging out for Mary Mac’s to open again,” Steve says, who has been a companion at Mary Mac’s for 20 years.

Read More

I don’t even know if I would have survived

Peter never expected to be homeless. Five years ago, he was a married father of four kids, a high-end wall paperer for Sydney’s rich and famous. Learn how CatholicCare rescued Peter from despair and homelessness.

Read More

I didn’t realise I was homeless

Life would look vastly different for David, if not for the support of CatholicCare’s Together Home Program and Dom’s Place. “This place saves lives,” David says as he looks around. Now that he has a safe place to call home, David is committed to making his life a meaningful one.

Read More