Winter Shelter Network

Why a Network?

Stable One's mission to journey alongside those experiencing homelessness extends beyond our own local area of the Yarra Valley in Victoria. We are keen to encourage more churches to partner together to help the most vulnerable in their communities by replicating our Winter Shelter model.

Although we encourage each project to be autonomous to address local needs and suit local circumstances, we also believe there is significant benefit in being connected for continual improvement and the development of best practice. For this purpose we have established the Winter Shelter Network.

Affiliates in our Network work together to enhance our collective impact and to provide a strong reference point for churches in other communities who are in need of assistance and encouragement in starting a new shelter.

Starting a Shelter

We love to hear from churches or community groups who are keen to start exploring the possibility of starting a new shelter. Based on our extensive research, experience and insights from answering many frequently asked questions, we have created a comprehensive Toolkit to share with those who are keen to learn more. This Toolkit covers the 'whys' and 'hows' of getting started, including:

- Why Run a Winter Shelter?

- Buildings & Equipment

- Volunteers, Shifts and Staffing

- Training & Rosters

- Risks, Health & Safety

- Budget & Insurance

To enquire about how to start a shelter in your area, and for free access to our Toolkit, please contact us.

Affiliation

Affiliation with our Network brings with it a number of benefits, both to individual affiliates in their mutual giving and receiving as we share ideas, encouragements and problem-solve together, but also on a broader scale as we support others in the start up of new shelters.

Our Network affiliates receive:

Personalised assistance and equipping to start a shelter
Provision of administrative resources including detailed operational policies and procedures, sample forms, role descriptions, volunteer and guest handbooks
Access to our online library of training and conference videos
Project Coordinator training, support and consultancy
Regular online Network meetings for encouragement, troubleshooting and prayer
Access to (at cost) and assistance with our online Volunteer Management System
Free attendance for two affiliate representatives at our annual Winter Shelter Network Conference to share learnings, collaborate and develop best practice, and receive training from a variety of guest speakers

To support the development and maintenance of resources and the continued facilitation of the Network, affiliates are asked to make an intial financial contribution followed by an annual donation to Stable One. Donation amounts are flexible based on the local circumstances of each affiliate.

To enquire about affiliating with our Network we invite you to contact us.