Schools learning about homelessness
Bring your school community together for a great cause and empower your students to create real impact. Your school’s kindness will help ensure that Hutt St Centre is here for whenever people need us.
Your students can advocate for an end to homelessness.
At Hutt St Centre, we believe education is a powerful tool for change. By helping young people learn about homelessness in South Australia, we can foster understanding, empathy, and a shared hope for a more inclusive future.
We believe students carry immense power: not only to learn, but to lead. With your guidance, they are discovering how their voices and actions can help shape a future where homelessness is rare, brief, and non-recurring.
Lesson Plans and Resources
Our ready-to-use lesson plans will help you teach your students about homelessness with confidence. Each lesson is designed for a specific age group, covering Years R–12, but can easily be adapted to suit younger or older students.
Classroom Activities and Print-outs
Get creative with classroom activities! These activities give students fun, hands-on ways to learn about homelessness and the work of Hutt St Centre.
FAQs for Student Assignments
Equip your students with all the information they need to research homelessness independently, with Hutt St Centre’s webpage of FAQs for school assignments.
Run a Material Aid Drive
Hutt St Centre distributes thousands of clothing, toiletries, and non-perishable food items every year—all thanks to generous schools like yours! Run a material aid drive with your class or the whole school.
Walk a Mile in My Boots
By joining Walk a Mile in My Boots, your school will help ensure that Hutt St Centre is here for whenever people need us. Let’s lace up our boots and get started!
Request a Guest Speaker
Bring real stories of homelessness into your classroom. Learn what it’s like to experience homelessness in South Australia, how Hutt St Centre helps, and how your students can make a difference.
School Fundraising activities
Here are some hands-on ways for your students to make a real difference for people experiencing homelessness.
End of term gold coin donation:
Turn the last day of each term into a fundraising celebration! Ask students to bring a gold coin donation to support Hutt St Centre. Add a fun theme each term—think crazy colours, pyjama day, onesies, or casual clothes. Celebrate your efforts by announcing how much was raised at the next school assembly—students love seeing the impact of their contribution!
Teamwork fundraising activities:
Get your students working together to create something they can be proud of. Bake sales, school market days, or barbecues let students plan an event from start to finish: writing checklists, designing posters, dividing tasks, and managing finances. They can see their progress as sales come in—and feel proud knowing their efforts directly help people in need.
Material aid drive:
Hutt St Centre distributes thousands of clothing, toiletries, and non-perishable food items every year—all thanks to generous schools like yours! Run a material aid drive with your class, year level, or the whole school. Run it for a fortnight, a month, or even a whole term to make a bigger impact.
Promote your drive with posters, emails, or newsletters to spread the word. Once the drive is complete, take photos of your collection to celebrate your efforts, and drop the donations at Hutt St Centre Reception at 258 Hutt Street, Adelaide. If you need help, contact Hutt St Centre to arrange collection support.
Homelessness Myth-Busters
Myth 1: People experiencing homelessness are responsible for their situation.
Fact: Homelessness is complex. It happens for many reasons—like not having affordable housing, losing a job, family problems, domestic violence, or mental health challenges. No one chooses to be homeless.
Myth 2: Homeless people just rely on the system and don’t work.
Fact: Many people who experience homelessness are still employed, and many others go on to find stable work, secure housing, and contribute to their community through volunteering and other activities.
Myth 3: Homeless people don’t have skills.
Fact: People experiencing homelessness come from all walks of life. Many have worked in professional jobs, have completed higher education, and have artistic or creative talents that aren’t always recognised. Even famous writers, like George Orwell, experienced homelessness at some point.
Myth 4: There is plenty of affordable housing.
Fact: There isn’t enough. In Adelaide, low-cost housing options have dropped from over 1,000 beds in 1990 to just 201 today. Private rentals are expensive, and waiting lists for public housing can last years. Private rental options are also very limited and waiting lists for public and community housing can last for years. Without enough housing, more people experience homelessness.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the tribute page that I create active for?
Your tribute page is active indefinitely. You or your loved ones can visit the page whenever you like and read through messages of love and support left by others.
How do I inform funeral or memorial service guests to donate to Hutt St Centre?
If you’d like to invite family and friends to donate in memory of your loved one, you may wish to include this request in their death notice. You could use wording such as:
"In memory of [Loved One’s Name], donations to Hutt St Centre would be appreciated."
Donations can be made:
- Online: Donate in Memory
- By post: PO Box 7047, Hutt Street, Adelaide SA 5000
Thank you for considering this meaningful way to honour your loved one’s legacy.
I need more than 50 envelopes; can you send me more?
Yes, we can provide more than 50 envelopes. Please reach out to our team on 08 8418 2509 or email us at fundraising@huttstcentre.org.au. Otherwise, you could create a tribute page in memory of your loved one and share a QR code or link to the page with many people at once. Our team can talk you through the best options available.
How will donations made in memory of my loved one be used?
Your donation will help provide essential support to people experiencing homelessness when they walk through our doors at Hutt St Centre. This includes:
- Nourishing meals
- Healthcare and counselling
- Hot showers and laundry services
- Social connection and support
Hutt St Centre relies on the generosity of our community to offer these vital services. Your loved one’s memory will live on through the kindness and hope their tribute brings to people in need.
Is this donation tax deductible?
Yes. All donations of $2 or more are tax deductible.
Help and Support
For school-related questions and enquiries, reach out to Hutt St Centre's school liaison, Jacinta, at jacintam@huttstcentre.org.au
For all other enquires, please call us directly on 08 8418 2509 or email us at fundraising@huttstcentre.org.au
