Dom’s Place has an eponymous name, christened after a young man who worked with CatholicCare until his passing in 2021.
The not-for-profit was created to bridge a gaping hole. Already tackling the homelessness crisis, CatholicCare found that many people who came seeking help were missing something vital: a sense of community.
Located on Leonard Street in Hornsby, Dom’s Place is a space that offers safety and connection. It is also a one-stop-shop to take care of any needs—washing clothes, getting a meal, showering, speaking with case workers, using the computers, or finding casual conversation. At the same time, other local services operate inside Dom’s that focus on housing, legal, cultural, medical, and financial support.
‘Social housing isn’t as readily available as it was, people are spending a lot longer in temporary accommodations like hotels. It’s getting very hard to exit people into long-term accommodation,’ explains Practice Manager Rebecca H, who has been with CatholicCare for 9 years. ‘At Dom’s Place, people don’t need to tick any kind of a box. They don’t have to make an appointment. The beauty of Dom’s is we are open to everyone in the community.’
Since opening its doors in April 2022, Dom’s Place has welcomed over 4,000 visitors, and currently 150 people come in weekly. Regularly, the organisation hosts BBQs, workshops, trips, competitions, and excursions to foster the feeling of belonging. CatholicCare have found that through establishing Dom’s Place, the relaxed nature of the service has clients responding to help, substance abuse has reported to have lessened, and rough sleepers have a safe place to tend to their needs.
Dom’s Place is calling out for more volunteers who may be interested in hosting workshops, or professionals who may want to impart their knowledge. Anyone from a range of professions is encouraged to volunteer—hairdressers, barbers, chiropractors, physiotherapists, yoga instructors, to name a few. Currently, Dom’s are in need of baristas to help with coffee cart operations.
For more information, visit catholiccaredbb.org.au/individual-family-supports/doms-place
