About
About Reach Homeless Services
Reach Newcastle Limited has been operating for over 8 years as Reach Homeless Services.
Every Friday evening in Hamilton NSW and Every Saturday evening in Maitland, our volunteers set up to provide a safe space to those who need it, in a prominent location.
The Reach team makes contact with a wide range of people in the community who could be experiencing homelessness, drugs and alcohol struggles, mental health issues, domestic violence, financial hardship or loneliness.
Mission Statement
Reach Homeless Services is dedicated to the needs of those in the community who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness. The Reach team will provide a regular, reliable and safe space where we will meet the immediate and short term needs of those we support.
Vision Statement
Reach Newcastle Limited (Reach Homeless Services) is working alongside other providers with whom we have a vision for our community where homelessness is at a minimum level, where those who are experiencing homelessness can quickly and with dignity be directed to the appropriate service to provide timely relief, and that the stigma surrounding ‘homelessness’ is reduced in the community.
Our CEO
Our beloved CEO Gary Parsisson works for Reach homeless Services on a Permanent Part-Time basis, ensuring we always have the guiding light of Gary on our side whenever we need it!
Gary Parsisson
Gary joined Reach Newcastle Ltd following the board’s decision to recruit an experienced fundraiser and strategic decision maker. Gary has over 30 years’ experience in banking and consulting, and more recently has worked in the not-for-profit sector with the Salvation Army in Sydney prior to his move to Newcastle.
Gary is passionate about assisting those who are marginalised in the community and apart from his work on the board, also volunteers with Reach Homeless Services on the occasional Friday nights.
Not just a pretty face, Gary operates with a deep sense of compassion and empathy that comes from knowing the struggles that any person can find themselves in unexpectedly. This depth of knowledge combined with an impressive professional background and ability to steer not-for-profit organisations to success, the Board of Reach Newcastle Ltd feels incredibly lucky to have him as our CEO and champion.
The Reach Newcastle Board
The board comprises a dedicated community minded team who work tirelessly to ensure we can assist those in need, using their professional and personal experiences to work together on improving services, increasing funding and staying in touch with the needs of the community.
Jodi Hughes
Jodi has a wealth of experience working as a senior change management consultant. Jodi excels at project management and engaging local communities and workforces in new projects, government initiatives, businesses and community programs. Jodi has a background in cultural anthropology, organisational communication, workforce engagement, and project management and she has more than fifteen years’ experience with government, industry, community and workforce projects.
Alex Rees
Alex Rees joined the REACH board in March 2018. Alex grew up and studied in Newcastle. He enjoys being an active member of the Newcastle community through REACH, his part time lecturer roles at TAFE and the University of Newcastle and Director role at a local environmental and engineering professional services firm.
Chris Johnston
Chris Johnston runs two local community driven cafes in Islington and Newcastle. Chris has been working in the hospitality industry for 26 years now and its fair to say that he loves his job.
Chris has long believed that coffee is the great equalizer; She does not turn away the lowly or turn up her nose at the lofty….. all are welcome in the warm embrace of her heady brew. Chris believes his cafes are the greatest tool he has in his tool chest to facilitate a space where all are welcome; where the surgeons sit next to the homeless and everyone in between… and all are treated equally, with dignity and respect. A simple coffee becomes an incredibly powerful advocate for peace, acceptance and unity.
Chris loves the work that Reach do for similar reasons, that is, the simplicity of the philosophy:
Feed the hungry, clothe the poor – Both which are done with grace, humour and love. Chris considers it a great honour to be as part of this organization.
Ravelle King
Ravelle is a freelance copywriter and Retail Manager who joined the Board of Reach Newcastle Ltd in 2021 with a background in the digital technology sector, project management, training and hospitality.
Working with clients, volunteers and the supporters who donate funds allows Ravelle to drive this change through Reach Homeless Services alongside a like-minded community and stay in touch with the realities. Ravelle is often on the ground at our operations engaging with volunteers, helping with logistics and capturing the moments and information we need to share.
Local to Newcastle since 2009, Ravelle works hard utilising her networking and copywriting skills to grow both the funding and community support for Reach Homeless Services.
Laurie Sullivan
Not afraid to get stuck into direct operations, you can often find Laurie helping out the BBQ Master on Friday or Saturday nights, running to the shops for sausage and ice top-ups and engaging with interested community members and clients at our events.
Who We Help
Every Friday evening in Newcastle from 7:30pm you will find the Reach team of volunteers setting up for the night in the James Street plaza on Beaumont Street. The team will be on site as long as they are needed (usually until around 9.30pm). Every Saturday night in Maitland the Reach team sets up at 6pm next to the Maitland Library, offering services until 7pm. On both evenings our volunteers welcome all community members who join us.
We do not discriminate and welcome all to join us on Friday or Saturday nights. Typically our clients include:
- Homeless or at risk of homelessness
- Hungry
- Suffering with addictions
- Sheltering from domestic violence
- Dealing with mental health issues
- Lonely
- Financially struggling
- Recently relocated and need assistance
- Everyone is welcome
When our clients arrive on Friday evenings, these are some of the range of services on offer:
- Hot BBQ sausages or burgers (sometimes pizza)
- Tea, coffee, milo, cold water
- Emergency grocery hamper
- Male & Female hygiene packs
- Vouchers from Connecting the Hunter
- Blankets and sleeping bags (when available)
- Clothing
- Community nursing check-ups
- Regular haircuts
- Referrals to other community providers
- A friendly ear to listen to their stories
Need More Help?
Reach Homeless Services are limited in the assistance we can provide however there are many other organisations in the Newcastle and Hunter Region who can assist with other services, they are:
Samaritans
Youth Homeless Services for transitional accommodation for 16 – 24 year olds Phone: 1300656336
Newcastle Eastern Suburbs Women and Family Homelessness
The service supports women and women with children who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, including women (with or without children) affected by domestic and family violence, or who have complex needs. Phone: 4929 6289
Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Men's Homelessness Support
This service supports men and men with children who are homeless or at risk of homelessness who may have complex needs. Phone: 4961 1411
There are many more services that range from food provision to complete homeless assistance. We suggest the Hunter Homeless Connect Directory is a great tool. This directory can be accessed via: Hunter Homeless Connect