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 in a prominent location to provide a safe space, food and necessities to those who need it. Breakfast is also distributed several times per week near Hamilton Train Station.

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.

Joerg Lehmann - Homeless Services - Reach Homeless Newcastle
Joerg Lehmann - Homeless Services - Reach Homeless Newcastle

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!

Joerg Lehmann - Homeless Services - Reach Homeless Newcastle

Gary Parsisson

EXECUTIVE Director

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

chair

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.

Jodi Hughes - About Reach Homeless Services Newcastle
Joerg Lehmann - Homeless Services - Reach Homeless Newcastle

Alex Rees

director

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

Director

 

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.

Joerg Lehmann - Homeless Services - Reach Homeless Newcastle
Ravelle King

Ravelle King

Director

 

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

Director
Laurie joined the Board of Reach Homeless Services in 2022, bringing with him his extensive experience in export marketing, business planning and HR Management. While Laurie continues to offer management consulting services to both current and emerging Hunter companies, he has also now brought his formidable skillset and positive energy with him to the Reach Team.
 

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.

With almost 20 years working in the Newcastle and Hunter region under his belt, Laurie is very often helping Reach make unexpected and important connections with people and businesses that can help us Reach our funding and program goals.
Laurie Sullivan
Sarah Cutts

Sarah Cutts

Director
Sarah Cutts is the founding director of The Social Haus and joined the board of Reach in 2024, bringing her passion for digital marketing to help Reach spread its mission and purpose throughout Newy and beyond!

Initially joining Reach as a volunteer, Sarah wanted to be involved in a local charity that gives back to the community she loves so much here in Newcastle. A keen foodie, she understands the importance of a good meal in making someone’s day better and is dedicated to ensuring that everyone has access to a decent feed and basic necessities.

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 & Saturday 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 
Joerg Lehmann - Homeless Services - Reach Homeless Newcastle
Joerg Lehmann - Homeless Services - Reach Homeless Newcastle

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

Matthew Talbot Homeless Service

for men and men with children Phone: 131812

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 homelessness assistance. We suggest the Hunter Homeless Connect Directory is a great tool. This directory can be accessed via: Hunter Homeless Connect