More than 350 Soul Hub sponsors, volunteers and community members danced and dined to help raise in excess of $100,000 at the inaugural Big Ask Gala.
The four-hour event at NEX doubled as a fundraiser and thank you for the group’s supporters.
The money raised on the evening takes the campaign total to $1,322,282.
The non-government charity that provides much-needed assistance to those facing hardship in the Newcastle community is hoping to raise $1.8 million for a new home base.
After 20 years of working from its CBD address, Soul Hub, previously Soul Café, has secured a rent-free tenure of 437 Hunter Street.
The move is thanks to a partnership with the Ian and Shirley Norman Foundation.
It will allow the provision of a fit-for-purpose designed space, aptly named “The Hug”.
The Hug will include seating for up to 150 people, a full commercial kitchen, engagement rooms for doctors and health specialists, a laundry service, as well as health and wellbeing spaces.
On 30 June, Soul Hub CEO Rick Prosser announced the ambitious plan to raise the money to bring the dream to fruition.
“We never had a dream to build a big organisation or a brand,” he said.
“We had no vision to do that sort of thing.
“But, we had a deep conviction to do what we can with whatever we have for those who come in through our door, they are some of the most vulnerable people in our community.”
Soul Hub is now in its 20th year.
It began with a few men, Bill Elkington, Max Barrett and Ken Gibson who initiated a breakfast in Denison Street to those they say obviously needed something to eat.
Two decades on… and the dozen Soul Hub volunteers provide an array of assistance.
“We provide everything from a hot meal to drug and alcohol programs, accommodation assistance and laundry service,” Rick says.
“Our guests receive comfort, food, friendship, and a helping hand in numerous forms – think haircuts, podiatry, dental and legal-aid.”
The eight-month Big Ask campaign is progressing.
Having acquired a Construction Certificate, builders have begun the interior redevelopment.
“Walls are going up and services are being installed,” enthuses Rick.
At the Big Ask Gala the group announced ongoing support from the Wests Group of $300,000 thanks to the 2023 Club Grants round.
The evening also offered a chance for Rick and his team to publicly thank Dr Milton and Maureen Sales for their pioneering work in establishing the Soul Clinic in 2010.
The Soul Clinic has provided specialised help by health professionals to its guests with the support of the Brunker Road Medical Practice managing a roster of doctors volunteering their time.
This initiative became the catalyst for many more health professionals volunteering expertise in their chosen field and other services providing practical help.
“This work caused Soul to become more than a meal,” Rick added.
“Today it’s a convergence of help and we are thankful for the committed sacrificial work of Dr Milton and Maureen Sales.”
“Newcastle we are on the move and we’re asking for help to get there. At a time of increasing need in our community we invite and welcome our community to journey with us to establish the new Soul Hub location.”
The statistics:
- Soul Hub has been serving the people of Newcastle since 2003.
- It has dished up 48,667 meals since its opened.
- It relies on its more than 200 volunteers to exist.
- Nearly one in every 200 Australians are currently homeless.
- An estimated one in five Australians aged 16-85 experience a mental health disorder each year.
- Nearly 50% of those experiencing homelessness have suffered a substance abuse problem, with roughly two-thirds of those occuring as a result of their homelessness.
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