Coats, coke and an eye-opening dose of reality

Nearly everywhere in Melbourne, the homelessness crisis is growing, as is the need for help. Social welfare volunteers go onto the streets every night to assist in some way, but they only scratch the surface.

On a surprisingly balmy winter’s night last week, two Knights of Malta and students from the University of Melbourne’s Newman College headed out for one of their weekly runs around the inner city to offer conversation, care packs and warm coats to those sleeping rough. The aim is not to solve the issue of homelessness but to offer recognition and dignity.

The outreach is part of the Coats for the Homeless program, an initiative started years ago by the Knights of Malta—the ancient Catholic lay organisation dedicated to serving the poor and sick. They distribute specially made black coats that are shower-proof, quilted and warm, with secret internal pockets for items of value.

It’s not just about giving them coats. It’s about connecting with them.

The volunteers loosely follow a St Vincent de Paul (Vinnies) soup van, stopping where it does. They also drive through the streets, looking for people sheltering outside shops who may need something. They approach respectfully, offering bottled water, a can of coke or a care pack containing essentials like socks and toothpaste. Most importantly, they offer their time.

Knight of Malta Joe explains: ‘We actually look for homeless people mainly in the city. They’re under verandas, in doorways, and we just approach them. That’s been very good, probably more what we’re about, what we should be about.’ He finds people are very receptive. ‘But look, it’s not just about giving them coats. It’s about connecting with them. That’s where I get my satisfaction from, connecting with them, because they’re really great.’

On this occasion, there was not a lot of demand for the coats. Joe and the other Knight on hand, Richard, had predicted this, because the evening was warm and dry. They gave the students­—two young women named Jazz and Sophia—vests to wear bearing the order’s distinctive eight-pointed Maltese cross and explained that many of the people they would encounter are aware of what the Knights carry and may ask for what they want.

Richard suggested starting with a friendly greeting and proffering some bottled water, while ascertaining whether the person might need anything, but mostly to take a bit of time for conversation if that was what the person wanted. Joe, recalling a recent encounter, says some might want privacy, but others are hungry for human contact. ‘This lady in the city, she said, “Oh, thank you for stopping,” because most people, when they see them, you know, they walk on.’

For the students accompanying the Knights, the experience often provides an eye-opening dose of reality. Danusia Kaska, Newman College’s faith director, says that many students find it life-changing. Volunteer work is a cornerstone of the Jesuit-administered college’s commitment to community service. It forms part of a broader ethos that encourages students to integrate their academic pursuits with practical acts of compassion.

It’s not difficult to give some of my time.

Danusia says that students are told at their initial interview, ‘We’d like you to do service.’ For some, this continues a tradition begun at their Catholic schools. ‘Community service helps the development of the whole student, not just the academic aspect,’ she says. ‘It makes them ready for life.’

Jazz was drawn to the residential college partly because of its emphasis on volunteering, which she read about in the handbook. ‘I mentioned at the interview that I’d be interested in volunteering. I haven’t done much of that in my life, and I’d really like to.’ She says there is no real excuse not to get involved with something like the Knights’ Coats for the Homeless, with the program being so well organised and close to the university. ‘It’s not difficult to give some of my time.’

The evening began in Carlton, where the volunteers approached several people on one of the main restaurant strips. Care packs were gratefully received. One smiling young woman took a can of coke, but explained that it was safer for her not to take anything else, as she had nowhere to store toiletries or extra clothing and they would likely be stolen—a stark reminder for the volunteers of the challenges faced by rough sleepers.

He was heading into rehabilitation and his sense of determination was palpable.

Later, in North Melbourne, Sophia found herself in a deep conversation with another woman. ‘She was telling me she’s on her third time being homeless. She’s gotten kicked out of her apartment just because of tenancy issues.’ The woman spoke of the particular vulnerability of being a woman on the streets and revealed that a friend had recently been sexually assaulted.

Despite her grim circumstances, or perhaps because of them, Sophia believed the woman ‘was very, very happy to talk. I think she honestly would have stayed there a lot longer if we didn’t have to leave.’ The interaction left Sophia with a sense of the limits of what she could offer. ‘I felt a little bit helpless though. “I’ll just give you some water, yeah?” Like, that’s all I can do. But just having a chance to try to do something is a good thing though, 100 per cent.’

Jazz, too, found value in the conversations. ‘It’s really interesting hearing everyone’s stories, and actually getting to talk to them, as opposed to kind of just walking past on the street. It’s a different perspective.’

The volunteers also arrived at several points where the Vinnies soup van was setting up. These locations tend to be near public housing high-rises, and the long queues attest the need for a decent meal, even for those who have shelter. Joe and Richard explain that the Knights of Malta do not judge, and if people ask for something they can give, they give it.

Once again, the volunteers fell into conversation with those who wanted it. One man clearly knew the Knights well and came up to laugh and joke with them. Another man revealed his struggles with methylamphetamine addiction, which had robbed him of his teeth and contact with his children. He said he was heading into rehabilitation, and his sense of determination was palpable. One handsome, elderly man had a long chat in Vietnamese—which unfortunately none of the volunteers could understand—but he walked away at the end of the conversation with a broad smile, leaving the impression that he had benefitted from feeling listened to.

Danusia Kaska, who has run Newman College’s outreach program for several years, says she often tells the students, ‘Treat everyone like he’s Jesus.’

‘These experiences stay with our students long after they leave,’ she says. ‘They learn that service is not only about what we offer, but also about what we receive: lessons in humility, gratitude and shared humanity.’