Mary Mac’s Place
OPEN TO ANYONE WHO IS HOMELESS, TRANSIENT OR NEEDING A HELPING HAND
Mary Mac’s traditionally supplies a sit down meal served to our companions by our wonderful volunteers. Currently we are offering a takeaway meal due to COVID restrictions. But it’s more than just a place to get a meal – it provides connection, value and belonging without judgement. Mary Mac’s offers a place to shower and to wash clothes. We offer friendly support and companionship to address the experience of isolation and loneliness of some vulnerable people in our community. Flyer here.
Mary Mac’s can provide a pathway to other services like Legal Aid, homelessness support services and health assistance. With assistance from our community partners, a selection of food is available daily as a take home for those in need, and from time-to-time we can provide food hampers.
Mary Mac’s provides social, community and friendship opportunities for men, women, families, young people, the elderly, and the socially and economically disadvantaged.
It was commenced by parishioners of St John the Baptist Church Woy Woy, and the work has continued through CatholicCare, supported by many volunteers.
Our companions have many different faces. There are many reasons why people find themselves in difficult circumstances. Mary Mac’s offers a helping hand and a friendly place, with lots of advice on hand to assist.
There is an increasing number of women and children using the service that are escaping domestic violence and sleeping in their cars because it’s not safe at home. We also have families where the main income earner has fallen ill and needs surgery or treatment and paying for this means they cannot afford their rent and food. We see pensioners that lose a partner and now cannot afford rent, food or bills on a single pension and people pushed out of the rental market due to rising cost of rent.
Sadly we have seen an increase in need in this community and others. Currently up to 100 meals per day are supplied, 5 days a week. Everyone is welcome.
It’s really important that we assist our communities when they need us most ...
Social isolation due to mental health issues or circumstances beyond people’s control is a shared community responsibility. Let’s welcome people into our communities and help them to move forward. Many people are only a pay cheque away from financial difficulty. One day we may also need assistance. It’s nice to know there is somewhere like Mary Mac’s to go.
Mary Mac’s Place does not receive any formal funding. The work is able to continue through the generosity of the community in providing donations and grants.
We are incredibly thankful for the donations we receive. Without your generosity CatholicCare would need to turn many people away. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all our donors. We are a registered charity with an authority to fundraise. You can Shout a Mate a $6 Plate here. Donations of $2 or more are income tax deductible.
This service is located at the Ethel Cox Centre
100 Blackwall Road, Woy Woy
M: 0428 122 136
E: marymacs@catholiccaredbb.org.au
* Mary Mac’s logo credit: Sr Dorothy Woodward
