text: by: Susan Holt
  “Snuggle season”. That’s what I call winter. It’s the time of year when the uggies are thrown on (and sometimes worn in public!), the blankets come out and all the winter woollies get first pick from the wardrobe.
  I’ve recently become very aware that I’m afforded the privilege of having winter as my favourite season as someone with a safe home.
  Across Australia, 3000 people are expected to reach out to homeless services, such as Mission Australia, in the next hour. Around 122,000 people are experiencing homelessness, many of them Australia’s hidden homeless, on any given night.
  Hearing these numbers can feel overwhelming. Mission Australia, however, are unswerving in their passion to serve the needs of these Australians, moving each one towards independence.
  Mission Australia stand with individuals and families across the country to provide practical support, find suitable housing and target the main known causes of homelessness in a bid to prevent more people facing a night without a safe home.
  As such, we are standing together with Mission Australia whose founding purpose is, “Inspired by Jesus Christ, Mission Australia exists to meet human need and to spread the knowledge of the love of God.”
  Right now you can share your stories of how someone has stood with you through a difficult time, just as Mission Australia does with Australians in need.
  Mission Australia believes homelessness can be ended in Australia. This instils great hope in me that one day, all Australians will be safe and warm throughout snuggle season.
  To pray for the work of Mission Australia and find out more, click here.