The Prime Minister John Howard announced that the government will contribute $100,000 to support Anglicare Sydney's Street Outreach Program, speaking at Anglicare’s Christmas Dinner last night.
Mr Howard says that despite a long period of economic growth, there are still many people in the community who have seen prosperity pass them by.
He cites Mission Australia statistics that point out that 40 to 50 per cent of Australia's "hardcore unemployed' are between 18 and 26, a key reason for supporting the program.
Established in 1991, the Street Outreach Program provides support for homeless and at-risk youth in Parramatta.
The program, led by Stan Small, runs from St John's Cathedral and serves over 250 young people, offering counselling and guidance.
It aims to equip homeless youth for education and work, and costs $300,000 per year to run.
Each Thursday night, Mr Small runs a Bible study regularly attended by many of the youth.
Mr Howard sees Anglicare as part of a "social coalition': a partnership between the government and welfare organisations in determining public social policy.
"I believe that their experience has given them an understanding that enables them to give good policy advice," he says.
Prime Minister Howard says that the government is focused on "outsourcing' welfare services like the Job Network and Family Relationship Centres to organisations like Anglicare.
Relationships are key: Archbishop
Archbishop Peter Jensen delivered the Christmas message.
“The biblical command to love helps us see that broken, failed or non-existent relationships are so often at the bottom of social deprivation and unhappiness,” he says.
“No government can meet these needs - though it is an abiding concern that they are met. You cannot legislate that people will love each other.”
Dr Jensen says that people suffering from poverty and social disdvantage need ‘practical and lasting’ assistance. He says this means attending to our relationships: with God and each other.
“Anglicare does not exist simply to provide aid,” he says. “It exists to do so in a way that will strengthen family and friendship and community - to help relationships.”
"Its Christian stance will make it go deeper, and enact and commend the Christian message that God's sacrificial love lies at the heart of the universe."
