Everything you need to know about the AMCN Winter Jacket Drive
What is the Winter Jacket Drive?
It’s a way of getting pre-loved motorcycle jackets to those who can really use them. You donate the jackets, and Mission Australia distributes them to homeless people. Simples.
Homelessness seems to be getting worse – what’s the story?
According to Mission Australia, homelessness is on the rise. More than 100,000 Australians were without a safe, stable bed on Census night in 2011 – that’s enough people to fill the MCG. And it’s expected since the most recent Census in 2016 that the number of people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness has increased. So what’s going on?
Mission Australia’s Dan Strickland, who has been with the Jacket Drive since it began in 2012, says the housing affordability crisis is probably the biggest factor, but there are other causes too: “Loss of job, trauma, health issues, mental illness or domestic and family violence. In fact, domestic violence is one of the main reasons people seek help from a homelessness service.”
And the problem isn’t just on the inner-city sidewalks.
“While many people might think of the stereotypical male sleeping on the streets or holding a cardboard sign as the face of homelessness, in reality, rough sleeping is just the tip of the iceberg. Many people are experiencing ‘hidden homelessness’ which means they might be staying in homeless accommodation or boarding houses, in temporary or unsuitable accommodation, living in severely crowded dwellings or couch surfing.”
How will motorcycle jackets help?
In the bite of winter, people who are homeless regularly face instability and a range of stressors while trying to find a safe place to sleep in incredibly cold conditions, so your jackets can make a huge difference.
“We know that a jacket won’t reduce homelessness,” says Dan, “but it is one way we can work together to provide some comfort and dignity to a person while Mission Australia and other services work to provide long-term supports and exits out of homelessness. Each donated motorcycle jacket will go a long way in providing some warmth and comfort to the people that we support who are sleeping rough this winter.”
One of last year’s recipients summed it up simply: “Today I got given a warm jacket when I was feeling cold. I am now warm and comfortable, thank you.” This sentiment was echoed by many others who were sleeping rough and received one of the jackets.
Where do I donate?
Check out the list of drop-off points around the country.
ACT
Shannons Insurance, Unit 20, 2 Yallourn Street, Fyshwick
New South Wales
Shannons Insurance, 65 Reserve Road, St Leonards
Victory and Indian Motorcycle, 554 Parramatta Rd, Ashfield
Robertson Pie Shop, 4400 Illawarra Hwy, Robertson
Northern Territory
Shannons Insurance, Hidden Valley Motor Sports Park, Hidden Valley Road, Berrimah
Queensland
Shannons Insurance, Unit 5B 305 Montague Road, West End
Victory and Indian Motorcycle, 632 Wickham St, Fortitude Valley
South Australia
Shannons Insurance, 863-865 South Road, Clarence Gardens
Tasmania
Shannons Insurance, 212-218 Murray Street, Hobart
Victoria
Shannons Insurance, 40 Corporate Drive, Heatherton
Café Moto, 611 Nepean Highway, Carrum
Victory and Indian Motorcycle, 544-554 Elizabeth St, Melbourne
The Waves Apartments, 1 The Esplanade, Cowes
Phillip Island Ride Days, Phillip Island GP Circuit
Western Australia
Shannons Insurance, Unit 5 & 6, 1500 Albany Highway, Cannington
Victory & Indian Motorcycle, 1429 Albany Hwy, Cannington
You can also mail your jackets directly to Mission Australia:
PO Box 211,
Goulburn, NSW
2580
When is it happening?
Right now! We will be collecting jackets until June 27, when the drive will wrap up at the Sydney Homeless Connect event and the donations in other states will be distributed.
Any other ways I can help?
Yep, by spreading the word. Let your mates know, and if you’re part of a club or some other motorcycling organisation, pass the word around there too. If you’re on Instagram, help us out by posting a shot of your donation and tagging it #amcnjacketdrive.
