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Rough Edges

Life’s rough at the edges

Over the two days and six nights per week it is open, the Rough Edges cafe serves up to 100 people who are disadvantaged, homeless or at risk of homelessness every day. Relying on donations from local businesses and restaurants, Rough Edges provides food, a safe lounge-room style environment, television and games. Hospitality and relationships with patrons are at the heart of the vision of Rough Edges. Over 100 volunteers ensure that Rough Edges can remain open.

During daytime sessions, the cafe doubles as a waiting room for Community Assistance and Partnership Program (CAPP) services, which provide 40-minute appointments for legal advice, counselling, financial and practical assistance. While they wait, clients can have a coffee, something to eat and a chat with Rough Edges volunteers.

Collaborating with other organisations to provide services and workshops for patrons is a big part of Rough Edge’s mission:

  • Pets in the Park provide a monthly veterinary clinic
  • Orange Sky come every Friday to provide laundry and shower services
  • Pass it on Clothing are here on the third Friday of every month with a clothing service
  • Local Darlinghurst cafe Latteria is partnering with Rough Edges to facilitate a series of cooking courses
  • Rough Edges is working with experienced photographers to run camera craft courses

CAPP also collects and distributes resources to alleviate financial and material stress. CAPP workers collaborate with other agencies to build stronger connections with schools, businesses, the church and other organisations with shared goals.

Key Facts:

  • 100 volunteers at Rough Edges cafe'
  • 100 Disadvantaged and homeless people helped each week
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Anglicare acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the original and ongoing custodians of the lands and waters on which we live and work.

Inspired by the gospel of reconciliation in Jesus Christ, Anglicare's vision for reconciliation is a nation in which Australia's First Peoples are restored in dignity, respect, empowerment and opportunity..