Way back at the end of 2014 when The Footpath Library Founder Sarah Garnett and I sat down to discuss the next EPIC! writing competition, the only thing we knew for sure that kids everywhere love stories. So providing Australian school children the opportunity to write a short story and win prizes had to be…
Last month a light was shone on the number of young people experiencing homelessness through Youth Homelessness Matters Day. Each night in Australia, approximately 26,000 12-25 year olds don’t have a safe and secure place to sleep. A disproportionate number of these are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex (LGBTI). The small number of studies…
Dashing Print has been assisting The Footpath Library for the last five years, providing free printing of all The Footpath Library marketing materials. Russell Kavnat took some time out from his busy role as both Managing Director and Sales Director to share his views on how providing books to the homeless community has the power…
After experiencing homelessness for 10 years, Grahame discovered The Footpath Library and rediscovered her love of reading. She shares her story about how The Footpath Library opened a new world of opportunities through the gifts of books. If you would like to help us help more people like Grahame, please consider donating. By donating $20 you…
Meredith Jaffe has generously been donating her time to coordinate our Ambassador Program for nearly three years. She says that it’s very important for us as a library to have writers as our Ambassadors as they are uniquely placed to understand the power of books to transform our lives. Meredith also gave her take on…
While I’m a crime writer by trade, most of my favourite books are what might be called satirical epics. In particular, I love Cervantes’ Don Quixote, one of the most amazing novels ever written (and the first, as I understand it.) I also love Zorba the Greek by Nikos Kazantzakis, for the same reason I love Don Quixote. Like all…
Liz joined The Footpath Library almost a year ago and has helped transformed our social media presence with her digital marketing skills. She took some time out to explain how Facebook can help shine a light on homelessness in Australia. What attracted you to volunteer at The Footpath Library? I’ve always loved reading, and when…
Kennards Self Storage has been supporting The Footpath Library for years. They generously provide space in their storage centres for us to accumulate, store, sort and distribute our books in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. We sat down with Managing Director, Sam Kennard to learn about how the Kennards has taken The Footpath Library out of…
What do you visualise of when you think of a library? Maybe your local library, a building you regularly go to in your community. It’s probably not a 85 foot boat! In Norway however this is the local library for many remote villages. Traditionally, the sea has been the main mode of transport along the…
We wanted to share a touching poem by a little known poet, Michael Bell. The rain was pouring, thunder in the distance Her tattered coat offered no resistance I saw her walking, soaking wet Filled with anger and regret Cast aside from all she’s known Living in a cardboard home I had to…
In January we launched the first ever EPIC! Short Story Competition for Primary and Secondary school students across Australia. Addressing the theme Home is… students are invited to submit a short story on what home means to them. In line with our values, we hope to encourage children to think about the importance of a…
Older women in Australia are increasingly at risk of becoming homeless. Lack of superannuation savings, unaffordable housing, divorce and domestic violence all play key roles in this sad trend. Following strong anecdotal evidence that a growing group of people becoming homeless in Australia are women aged over 55 there was a clear need that research…
“Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more!” ― Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
Children in homeless families are now the largest single group who seek support from the homeless service system. On a basic level, homelessness for children means missing out. Missing out on the things that other children take for granted such as a safe place to sleep every night, school excursions, regular nutritious meals and the…
We are seeking an additional Board member. This is a non-paid role and we are looking for someone with strong connections in the private sector who is based in Sydney or Melbourne. For further information please email [email protected]