The coming week always means a lot to the homeless and those connected to missing people.
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It's National Homelessness Week and National Missing Persons Week.
National Homelessness Week
Anglicare Goulburn consistently helps out the homeless in the region by doing things like giving out food and assisting them to obtain housing.
Reasons for homelessness including domestic violence, unemployment and financial instability.
Anglicare's Goulburn and Yass Homelessness Support Service coordinator Tracey Roberts said COVID-19 and bushfires this year made things worse.
"The need for community support has never been greater," Ms Roberts said.
"Last month we assisted 178 clients in Goulburn alone.
"This is why having the support of people in our community is so encouraging.
"The community should be really proud of the way they are stepping up to make a difference for people who are facing housing stress.
"Having a safe and appropriate place to rest, live and bring up your children should not be an optional extra just for those who can afford it. It's essential for everyone."
Anglicare has received a lot of support to help their cause by receiving food donations from Goulburn First National Real Estate, Dream Admin, Crust Pizza, Tarago CWA, Goulburn Soroptomists and Orana Preschool.
"Seeing the range of people reaching out to help children, volunteers organisations and businesses is really encouraging and needed," Ms Roberts said.
"The Anglicare team are so grateful."
Mission Australia's SE NSW and ACT area manager Daniel Strickland has dealt with many homeless people in the past and said not everyone understood the true lifestyle of the homeless.
"One of the biggest misconceptions is that the homeless are those who have it rough," Mr Strickland said.
"There are some who are among us and seem to live normal lives.
"Over the years, we've experienced several times that some living on the streets doesn't want to be found.
"Quite often it's due to the trauma they've experienced in their life."
For more information about Anglicare's services, call 4823 4000.
National Missing Persons Week
The aim of the week is to raise awareness about the issues and impacts surrounding missing persons.
Inspector Alison Brennan from the Hume Police District said police never give up on any missing person case.
"We use this period of time to really ramp up on getting the community aware of missing people, particularly those in the long term category," Inspector Brennan said.
"Anyone missing for over three months is classified as a long term missing person.
"The cases stay open and we actively investigate."
Fortunately, the majority of people who are located missing are found almost immediately.
Over time, 99 per cent of those reported missing have been found.
Mr Strickland said weeks like these, "highlight the concern at the time and gets people to have a discussion".
"We hope that through these campaigns, we come together as a community and that it does have an impact".
People can go to any police station to report a missing person.
Those who have difficulties with coping with a missing person, who's a loved one, can all the Families and Friends of Missing Persons Unit on 1800 227 772 or go to https://www.missingpersons.justice.nsw.gov.au/
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