Every Tuesday and Wednesday night, people experiencing homelessness can now find a safe place to sleep at Emmanuel City Mission.
Our Night Sanctuary has officially expanded to two nights a week. It’s an important step the team has been working towards, and your generosity has helped make it happen.
As we mark Anti-Poverty Week from 11–17 October 2026 we want to share what that progress means for the people coming through our front gate.
Responding to what we see at the front gate
Anti-Poverty Week calls on Australians to understand poverty and take action together to end it.
At ECM, we see the need for that action every day. People come through our front gate needing a meal, a shower, clean clothes or somewhere to pause. Some are sleeping rough. Others are facing hardship that makes it difficult to meet their everyday needs.
Being on the ground means we get to know the person behind those needs. We listen, build relationships and respond with practical care.
And we know that the need for a safe place to rest continues long after the day ends. That’s why growing our Night Sanctuary matters.
What another night makes possible
Since opening in November last year, our Night Sanctuary has offered people experiencing homelessness a safe place to sleep on Wednesday nights.
Now we’re welcoming visitors on Tuesday nights too.
An additional night means more opportunities for people to get a bed and some rest, alongside the care and support they know at ECM. It also means more time with a team who knows them, listens and keeps showing up.
For someone sleeping rough knowing there is somewhere safe to go that night can make a real difference.
A meal or a bed meets an immediate need. The relationships built around that care matter too. Our visitors can return to a place where they are known, welcomed and treated as people.
Your support is part of every welcome
This expansion has been made possible by the generosity of our supporters and the commitment of the people who help deliver the service.
If you’ve supported ECM, you’ve helped us take this next step.
Your generosity reaches people directly. It helps us respond to the needs we see at our front gate and extend that care into another night each week.
There is still much to do. Ending poverty and homelessness requires sustained action across our community. Here at ECM, we’ll keep listening to our visitors and working towards more nights of sanctuary.
This Anti-Poverty Week, we want to thank you for helping turn care into action.
Every Tuesday and Wednesday night, you’re helping make a safe place to sleep possible.
Watch Roby’s message above to hear more about this milestone and the difference you’re helping make.