About Us
Our Mission
Inspired by Jesus Christ, our mission is to support the Church as it provides accommodation to
people in need and journeys with each person, offering physical, social, emotional and spiritual care as an expression of God’s love.
Our Vision
More than a place to stay.
We recognize that homelessness is not just a lack of shelter. The Church is uniquely positioned and called to care for ‘the least of these’ (Matt 25:40)
Our Values
Integrity
- In honouring God we honour people
- We are transparent and accountable
- We treat all people with respect and dignity
Community
- Each person matters
- We prioritise connection and inclusion
- We journey with people towards stability
Unity
- We work together as the Church
- We collaborate with others
Our Story
Stable One was born out of the personal journey of our founder, Jenny, and the prayers of the Church.
Jenny writes …
In 2016 whilst volunteering at a foodbank in Lilydale, I had the privilege of meeting and assisting people who were struggling to make ends meet and had my eyes well and truly opened to the issue of homelessness in my community. In my mind, this was a city issue, not one experienced amongst the leafy rail trails and wineries of the Yarra Valley. It turned out that there were men, women and children, who were my neighbours, sleeping in cars, in parks and reserves, on friend’s couches, or in sheds and on porches.
An ecumenical prayer group came together to ask God what we could do to make a difference. We believed God was showing us three things:
Be the Church – work together (1 Cor 12: 27)
Love Like Jesus (Matthew 25:35-40)
He cares about the ‘one’.
If you only help one person, it’s still worth trying (Luke 15)
Research highlighted great work already happening in our community - 26 emergency relief services were offering food parcels, meals, clothing, assistance with bills, etc. The critical need that was not being met, however, was for safe, affordable housing.
We continued to pray regularly and saw answers in the form of people who had different experiences and knowledge of projects in other places around the world. Three different projects in three different countries were brought to our attention, all doing similar things – offering crisis shelter to people experiencing homelessness using church buildings. We gleaned all we could from their experiences, shared the vision with local pastors and plans were begun for a Winter Shelter pilot the following year.
Stable One was registered as a charity at the end of 2016 with the express purpose of helping the Church to do the things we believe God showed us. We worked hard on research, policy development and logistics and were ready to open our first Winter Shelter on 1 June 2017 with 165 trained volunteers.
Our guests were offered 'more than a place to stay' through the building of community, connection, care, belonging and the love of Jesus.
Stable One was born out of prayer, and that is how we continue to operate. We want to follow God, one step at a time.
Since we began, I have met many more people experiencing homelessness. Their stories, their courage, their resilience and their hearts inspire me. Seeing the Church respond to their needs and show God’s love for them in such practical ways fills me with joy.
— Jenny
Why Stable One?
This name came from those who initally met together for prayer. There was a real sense that homelessness was an issue too huge for us to solve, but that it was okay if we only helped just one person. God confirmed that message to us in the next few days and weeks through different people and through scripture. Particularly we read the story of the lost sheep. Read it here.
For those experiencing homelessness, stability is crucial to their well-being. Not just in terms of a place to live, but in terms of strong foundations on which to build. As Christians, we believe that the firmest foundation on which to build a life is Jesus Christ. He is the Stable One.
We want to offer people more than just a roof over their heads and a bed for the night. We are the church. We are a community, a family. We have the opportunity to build relationships with people who are often lonely and isolated, and to love them like Jesus.
Our Board
David Wells
Board Director
(Chair)
Ann Fraser
Board Director
(Vice Chair)
Rev Philip King
Board Director (Treasurer)
Lyndell Fraser
Board Director (Secretary)
Jenny Willetts OAM
Managing Director
Dr David Wilson
Consultant
Kerryn Pell
Board Director
Ian Bunston
Board Director
Stacey Aslangul
Board Director