For younger visitors, the Wayside has a youth specific safe space which offers a supportive environment for young people 25 and under. The Wayside is not a homeless shelter but it does provide showers, low costs meals and clothing for the most disadvantaged members of the community.
Kennedys supports the Wayside by getting involved in:
- The Winter Woollies drive – where staff donate warm clothes, blankets and monetary donations.
- Morning and afternoon tea – throughout the year, keen bakers in the Sydney office prepare all kinds of goodies, which are taken to the Wayside Café for morning and afternoon tea.
- The Wayside Wishing Tree – a wishing tree is set up in the office each December under which presents for the Wayside’s clients are placed. Participating staff members are given a gender and age group to buy for.
Partner Penny Taylor comments "The support for the Wishing Tree has been overwhelming, with not just staff members participating but also family and friends of Kennedys. It goes without saying that the Christmas and holiday period can be a sad time for those less fortunate than most and if by receiving even a small gift at Christmas puts a smile on someone’s face on Christmas Day, then I think we are doing something really worthwhile here."
Find out more about the Wayside Chapel on the Wayside Chapel website.
