Mission Australia is a national Christian charity that provides a range of community services throughout Australia. It has its roots in the Brisbane Town and Country Mission (1859) and Sydney City Mission (1862), but was only officially established in 1996, bringing together a number of city missions across the country. The organisation specialises in the areas of homelessness and housing, families and children, early learning, youth, employment and skills,

substance abuse Substance abuse, also known as drug abuse, is the use of a drug in amounts or by methods which are harmful to the individual or others. It is a form of substance-related disorder. Differing definitions of drug abuse are used in public health, ...

, disability, mental health, and strengthening communities. Sharon Callister has been CEO since March 2022.

History

Mission Australia traces its origins back to 1859 to the Brisbane Town and Country Mission, which operated at a grassroots level to respond to need within the community for food, clothing, and housing. On 11 July 1862, Englishman Benjamin Short established the Sydney City Mission, desiring to address the spiritual and physical needs of the city's inhabitants who were living in poverty. In a public meeting, Short presented his vision for Sydney City Mission: Short gained the support of many prominent citizens, including the likes of John Fairfax, and clergymen of almost every denomination. The motto "Need, Not Creed" emerged, with those present agreeing that a city as diverse as Sydney required a non-denominational City Mission. Four missionaries were appointed in 1862 (two men and two women), with their main tasks including home visits, distributing Bibles, persuading alcoholics to turn sober, and encouraging parents to send their children to school and Sunday School.

Melbourne City Mission Melbourne City Mission (MCM), known as the Community Welfare Foundation during the 1970s, is a charitable organisation in Melbourne, Australia. History Melbourne City Mission is the city's oldest charity, having been founded in 1854. In 1850, th ...

was founded in 1854, but is not part of Mission Australia. Adelaide City Mission followed soon after in 1867, with a similar goal of addressing spiritual and physical need among the poor and disadvantaged in the city. For decades these and other missions met immediate needs, giving out food and clothing. As no government welfare or unemployment benefits existed, City Missions saved many families from starvation. During the recession of 1890 and the

Great Depression The Great Depression (19291939) was an economic shock that impacted most countries across the world. It was a period of economic depression that became evident after a major fall in stock prices in the United States. The economic contagio ...

of the 1930s, many people in need sought help from City Missions. In the mid 20th century, City Missions shifted their collective focus towards finding long-term solutions to disadvantage. In 1974 Perth City Mission, then known as Jesus People Welfare Services, was founded by Jeffrey J Hopp. In 1989, Mr Hopp resigned as president and CEO of the Jesus People Inc. and established his own company Awards Australia, the charity then went on to become Perth City Mission. In 1989 Wollongong City Mission and Wagga Wagga City Mission were founded. In 1991, Hunter Mission was established, building on community service programs provided by Mayfield Baptist Church. In 1996, Mission Australia officially formed, bringing together Adelaide City Mission, Hunter Mission, Perth City Mission, Sydney City Mission, Wagga Wagga City Mission and Wollongong City Mission. Brisbane City Mission joined soon after in 1998. In 2000, Mission Australia's

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and

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state offices opened, followed by

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in 2002. In 2008, Mission Australia Housing was established. The following lists names of organisations that have merged and amalgamated over time to form Mission Australia: * Adelaide City Mission, later known as Mission SA * Canberra City Mission * Hunter Mission * Jesus People Welfare Services, later known as Perth City Mission * Mission Australia Group Training and Mission Employment * Mission Australia Limited * Mission Australia Southern NSW * NSW Country Services * Sydney City Mission * Town and Country Mission, later known as Brisbane City Mission * Wagga Wagga City Mission * Wollongong City Mission

Description

In 2021–22, Mission Australia employed approximately 2200 staff and 750 volunteers, and supported 147,913 children, young people, adults and elderly people across 465 programs and services. The organisation specialises in the areas of homelessness and housing, families and children, early learning, youth, employment and skills, alcohol and other drugs, disability, mental health, and strengthening communities. Sharon Callister became CEO in March 2022, succeeding James Toomey, who served as CEO from November 2017.

Services

Homelessness and housing

Mission Australia offers specialist support services that enable people to avoid and escape homelessness. It provides crisis and transitional accommodation, as well as social and affordable housing. In 2021–22, Mission Australia assisted 23,755 people through 78 homelessness services. In 1979, Sydney City Mission launched the Missionbeat homelessness outreach service. Missionbeat vans patrolled the city streets offering support to homeless and intoxicated individuals. The Missionbeat Sydney service continues today, with a primary focus on supporting long-term rough sleepers. Youthbeat services, which offer support to vulnerable young people on the street, operate in Tasmania and Perth, and Mission Australia has plans to launch another mobile outreach service targeting young people in the Northern Territory. In 2008, Mission Australia established Mission Australia Housing, a Tier 1 community housing provider.

Families and children

Mission Australia provides extensive support for families and children. In 2021–22, Mission Australia assisted 20,862 people through 63 families and children services.

Strengthening communities

Mission Australia provides a network of place-based community development and early intervention and prevention programs tailored to meet the needs of local communities. These programs seek to listen to individuals and equip them to transform their communities. In 2021–22, Mission Australia assisted 19,567 people through 20 strengthening communities services.

Employment, education and training

Mission Australia helps people of all ages who have experienced barriers to employment to gain the skills and confidence to find and keep a job. It offers a variety of service models including Disability Employment Services, Transition to Work and ParentsNext. In 2021–22, Mission Australia assisted 20,067 people through 152 employment, education and training services.

Alcohol and other drugs

Mission Australia offers holistic support to people affected by alcohol and drug issues. Programs and services support individuals to overcome dependency, and seek to address the underlying factors that led to their addiction. In 2021–22, Mission Australia assisted 5,660 people though 32 alcohol and other drug services.

Mental health recovery

Mission Australia provides individual, targeted and flexible care for people with mental health issues to help them overcome the challenges they face and achieve their goals. In 2021–22, Mission Australia assisted 4,021 people through 33 mental health recovery services.

NDIS

Mission Australia is an NDIS Partner in the Community in various locations in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia. It delivers Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) and Local Area Coordination (LAC) services, helping people with disability get the supports they need and supporting their inclusion in their community. In 2020–21, Mission Australia assisted 34,250 people through 18 NDIS services.

Other services

Other areas of Mission Australia's work in addition to those listed above include support for people affected by domestic and family violence, people requiring financial support, and people linked to the justice and corrections system. In 2020–21, Mission Australia supported 13,491 people through 60 family and domestic violence, financial wellbeing, and justice and corrections services.

Research, impact measurement, policy and advocacy

Mission Australia works to influence public policy relating to homelessness and disadvantage and raise awareness and support of key social issues.

Research

Mission Australia undertakes research and produces publications on the key issues affecting its services and the people who access them. Its research findings also contribute to discussions about key and emerging issues with government, in the media, and within the community services sector, academia, business and the community.

Youth Survey

Mission Australia's annual Youth Survey is Australia's largest annual survey of young people of its kind. The 21st Annual Youth Survey saw 18,800 young people aged 15–19 participate in 2022 and identified the environment, equity and discrimination and mental health as the three most important issues in Australia today.

Policy and advocacy

Mission Australia seeks to influence policy decisions through submissions and reports that draw on evidence, the expertise of its staff, and the experiences of the people who access its services.

Reconciliation Action Plan

Mission Australia launched its first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) in 2009. The RAP is an agreed strategy on how the organisation intends to contribute to reducing the gap in living standards between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. Following this, Mission Australia developed a second RAP in 2017. Its third RAP, an Innovate-level RAP for 2022–23, received endorsement from Reconciliation Australia in January 2022.

Funding

Mission Australia is a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission. The organisation receives income from federal, state and local governments, rent, fees and fundraising. In 2021–22, Mission Australia invested 88% of its income back into its programs and services.

References

External links

* {{Authority control Charities based in Australia Australian vocational education and training providers City and Gospel Rescue Missions 1862 establishments in Australia 1999 establishments in Australia Non-profit organisations based in New South Wales