GRASSROOTS ACTION · REAL HUMAN IMPACT

Everyone deserves more than a place to sleep.

We bring practical help, dignity and connection to people experiencing homelessness, family violence and disadvantage across Australia.

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COMPASSION IN ACTIONCOMMUNITY-LED CHANGEDIGNITY FOR EVERY PERSON
WHO WE ARE

Small acts of care.
Life-changing impact.

National Homeless Collective is an independent Australian grassroots charity creating practical responses to homelessness, domestic and family violence, and social disadvantage.

Our work starts by listening. We focus on immediate needs, respect for every individual and the belief that everyone deserves safety, opportunity and dignity.

Founded in 2015 by Donna Stolzenberg, our collective brings volunteers, supporters and communities together to help people facing difficult circumstances.

We create practical projects in response to the needs of people living in crisis and distress. Our approach centres the voices and needs of those we assist, with respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and LGBTIQ+ people.

We also create employment opportunities for women experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness. Our board is entirely volunteer-run, with 90% women and 50% Indigenous representation.

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MEET OUR FOUNDER

Donna Stolzenberg.
A vision built on dignity.

Founder and CEO · 2021 Victorian Australian of the Year

From distributing 50 donated sleeping bags to leading a nationwide grassroots charity.

Donna Stolzenberg is a proud Indigenous woman, keynote speaker, trainer, and the Founder and CEO of National Homeless Collective. Drawing on her lived experience of homelessness and hardship, Donna has dedicated her work to practical, compassionate solutions for people facing crisis.

In 2014, Donna had a simple idea: hand out 50 donated sleeping bags to people experiencing homelessness. That initiative helped lay the foundations for National Homeless Collective, which has grown into a charity responding to homelessness, domestic and family violence, and social disadvantage.

Under Donna's leadership, the charity has developed initiatives focused on period poverty, food security, education, housing safety and pathways to employment. Its work has also supported women escaping family violence, people affected by bushfires, and residents during Melbourne's COVID-19 public housing tower lockdowns.

Donna also established Kala Space, an op shop creating employment opportunities for women affected by homelessness or domestic abuse.

In recognition of her community work, Donna was named 2021 Victorian Australian of the Year.

Watch Donna's 2021 Victorian Australian of the Year recognition video.

Watch on Vimeo ↗
OUR WORK IN ACTION

What we’ve been up to.

Safer homes. Stronger futures. Practical support when it matters most.

Across our ongoing projects, National Homeless Collective continues to support women, children and families experiencing homelessness, domestic and family violence, and financial hardship. We focus on immediate safety while helping people build stability, confidence and independence.

01 / SAFETY & HOUSING

Helping women and children find safety

Sisters in Safe Housing

No one should have to choose between staying in an unsafe home and facing homelessness. We help women and children escaping domestic and family violence find safe, secure accommodation and make a fresh start.

That can mean helping negotiate an early end to a lease, arranging relocation to confidential accommodation, and providing furniture, whitegoods, household essentials and new phones. We also help families navigate the practical challenges of starting over.

02 / CHILDREN & EDUCATION

Keeping children learning

The School Project

Housing instability and sudden moves should not mean children miss out on their education. We continue to provide school bags, uniforms, stationery, lunchboxes and other essentials to children facing crisis.

When families relocate to safety, we also help children transition to new schools with as little disruption as possible, so they can keep learning, participating and belonging.

03 / SKILLS & INDEPENDENCE

Building pathways to employment

Employment support & The Plate Up Project

Our support does not stop when someone finds safety. We create employment opportunities for women experiencing or at risk of homelessness, supporting confidence, skills and financial independence.

Through The Plate Up Project, participants learn to cook nutritious meals on a budget and train alongside chefs, with opportunities to gain food-handling, knife-handling and other hospitality qualifications.

04 / ESSENTIAL RELIEF

Showing up with practical help

Black Packs, Sleeping Bags & The Period Project

Our grassroots relief work continues alongside our longer-term programs. Black Packs provides food parcels for people facing food insecurity. Our sleeping bag initiative offers warmth and essential supplies to people sleeping rough.

The Period Project helps people access menstrual products with dignity. Each initiative responds to a different need, with compassion and respect at its centre.

Help us keep showing up.

Community support helps us provide immediate relief, create safer beginnings and open doors to a more secure future.

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OUR PROJECTS

Practical support.
Where it matters most.

From essential supplies to pathways towards safety, our projects respond to real needs in the community.

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01 / DIGNITY

The Period Project

Period poverty is more than a lack of products. Without reliable access to bathrooms, clean clothing and supplies, managing a period can become stressful, unsafe and isolating. The Period Project provides practical menstrual-care packs with a focus on dignity, choice and inclusion.

How it works

Packs can include pads or tampons, wipes, sanitiser and disposal bags. Volunteers prepare supplies for distribution through community and homelessness support partners.

Who it supports

People experiencing homelessness or housing uncertainty, including women, trans men and non-binary people.

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02 / FIRST NATIONS PERIOD CARE

Secret Women's Business

Secret Women’s Business is the culturally focused arm of The Period Project. It supports access to menstrual care for First Nations women and girls while recognising that communities have their own cultural needs, preferences and ways of working.

Working with communities

We work alongside Aboriginal communities and organisations in metropolitan areas, regional towns and remote outback communities across Australia. Community relationships help us understand what products and approaches are appropriate in each setting.

Why it matters

Distance, availability and cost can make period products harder to access, particularly in remote areas. Our approach combines practical menstrual-care support with respect for culture, privacy, dignity and community guidance.

How it connects to The Period Project

Both initiatives address period poverty. Secret Women’s Business focuses specifically on meeting the cultural needs and requirements of First Nations communities.

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03 / SAFETY

Sisters in Safe Housing

For women and children escaping family violence, the cost of moving into safe accommodation can be an immediate barrier. Sisters in Safe Housing has provided practical financial help at the point where secure housing is within reach.

How it works

Historically, the project has assisted with rental bonds and rent in advance, helping families establish safer accommodation and connect with other support services.

Who it supports

Women and children affected by family violence and housing insecurity.

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04 / FOOD RELIEF

Black Packs

Black Packs provides food parcels to people experiencing homelessness, housing insecurity and hardship, offering practical food relief when it is needed most.

How it works

Food parcels help individuals and families access essential food supplies during periods of crisis and financial difficulty.

Who it supports

People experiencing homelessness, housing insecurity and hardship.

See the project

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05 / WARMTH

Sleeping Bags for Homelessness

Cold nights can be dangerous for people without secure shelter. This project began with community collections of blankets and sleeping bags and grew through donations, volunteers and local outreach networks.

How it works

Sleeping bags and seasonal warmth supplies are distributed to people sleeping rough, sometimes directly and sometimes through shelters and outreach organisations.

Who it supports

People sleeping rough who need immediate warmth and protection from the elements.

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06 / COMMUNITY

Food & Community Support

Food and community initiatives help address immediate needs while creating opportunities for conversation, connection and belonging. A meal can be a first step towards a supportive relationship.

How it works

Our community-focused work has included meal and BBQ initiatives and practical relief, supported by volunteers and local partnerships. Activities depend on current capacity.

Who it supports

People facing food insecurity, isolation and hardship.

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07 / EDUCATION

The School Project

The School Project supports children and young people experiencing disadvantage, helping respond to needs that can affect their participation in school and everyday life.

Our approach

We work to provide practical, dignity-first support for students and families facing hardship.

Project videos

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08 / SKILLS & EMPLOYMENT

The Plate Up Project

The Plate Up Project helps people experiencing homelessness or living in transitional housing learn to cook nutritious meals on a budget and build skills for employment in hospitality.

Practical cooking skills

Participants learn how to plan and prepare affordable, nutritious meals, building confidence and independence in the kitchen.

Training and employment pathways

Working with chefs, participants can undertake food-handling and knife-handling training and pursue relevant certifications to help prepare for hospitality employment.

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These descriptions include established and historical initiatives. Current availability, eligibility and donation needs may vary — please email us before arranging assistance or goods donations.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

There is room for everyone to help.

Whether you can give, volunteer, or connect us with your workplace, every contribution helps strengthen our community.

01

Make a donation

Support practical, dignity-first programs through our external donation partner.

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02

Volunteer your time

Help us make a difference through packing, community initiatives and practical support.

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03

Partner with us

Businesses, schools and community groups can help us extend our reach.

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GET IN TOUCH

Change starts with connection.

Want to help, collaborate, or ask about our programs? We'd love to hear from you.

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Contact National Homeless Collective

For questions about our projects, volunteering, donations or partnerships, email our team:

info@nhcollective.org.au

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