The Collingwood Football Club Foundation, in partnership with the Salvation Army Project 614 Team, and with the backing of the City of Melbourne and the Victorian Government, today announced a three-year sponsorship agreement to support a cafe servicing homelessness and disadvantaged people in Melbourne.

The CFC Foundation through the Magpie Nest Program is providing $150,000 in funding, as well as on-going support through fundraising events and initiatives, which will help to maintain and extend services provided at the cafe.

The cafe provides free meals and direct links to a range of support services for people who are homeless or at risk, including free legal advice and representation; housing assistance; and drug, alcohol and mental health services.

The cafe, formerly known as the Hamodava Cafe, will be called the Magpie Nest at Hamodava Cafe and is located off Westwood Place behind the Salvation Army at 69 Bourke Street Melbourne.

Collingwood President Eddie McGuire said the cafe is a vital part of the Magpie Nest Program, one of the largest philanthropic projects in the club’s history.

“The Collingwood Football Club was born in the years of the Great Depression and caring for this city’s most vulnerable people is integral to the fabric of our club.

“Homelessness is a growing problem in our community. The Magpie Nest at Hamodava Cafe provides a vital point of contact for people who are isolated and at risk.

“It is an important link to the Magpie Nest Program, which provides accommodation and support for people who are sleeping rough on the streets or living in unsafe rooming houses. There are major benefits for the whole community, both economically and socially if we can significantly reduce homelessness.”

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said Magpie Nest was an example of the positive impact that sporting clubs could make in the community.

“'Good old Collingwood forever’! We hear a lot about the importance of culture in football clubs and the need to lead by example, and the Collingwood Football Club Foundation is doing just that through Magpie Nest.

“This is a great example of organisations coming together to address the issue of homelessness and make a genuine difference to the lives of our city’s most vulnerable people.”

Minister for Housing Wendy Lovell said, “It’s great to officially open the Magpie Nest at Hamadova Café and recognise the great work being undertaken with this new café venture.

“Magpie Nest is a great example of how effective partnership between corporate and community organisations can work hand-in-hand to provide better outcomes and opportunities for some of Victoria's most vulnerable people,” Ms Lovell said.

Salvation Army Major Brendan Nottle said, “We are very thankful to the Collingwood Football Club Foundation, The Victorian State Government and the City of Melbourne for their commitment and on-going support in addressing one of the most significant issues faced by our society.

“Magpie Nest is an innovative, sustainable and holistic approach to addressing the complex needs of people who are homeless in Melbourne. By working together in partnership governments, sporting clubs, private organisations and service providers can have a major impact in helping vulnerable people in our community.”

About Magpie Nest at Hamodava Cafe
The partnership will help to expand and support the range of services being offered at the cafe and provide a direct link to the Magpie Nest Program.

The partnership will:
-  Enable the cafe to extend its operating hours
-  Promote awareness of the Magpie Nest Network amongst people experiencing homelessness
-  Provide support for the free legal service – the Urban Justice Centre
-  Provide support for the Nightwatch Service.
-  Provide support for the Friendship Club
-  Provide additional volunteers for the cafe and other services
-  Generate sponsorship and further fund raising initiatives and events

About Magpie Nest
Magpie Nest currently has 25 houses operating around Melbourne providing homes for up to 70 people. The Collingwood Football Club Foundation in partnership with the Salvation Army Project 614 Team is expanding the project further with a goal of reaching 50 houses in 2015.

The Project 614 Team Case Workers, funded by the Victorian State Government and the Salvation Army, identify and provide wrap-around case management support for participants in the program.

By treating people with respect and care, the case workers are able to build relationships and trust with the participants. By taking people out of the city and placing them in a settled home environment the program is able to provide them with access to proper health care and support and assist in opportunities for employment and transition to independent living.

Magpie Nest seeks to deliver significant economic benefits to the community by reducing the impact of homelessness on Melbourne’s health and justice services.

Magpie Nest seeks to deliver significant social benefits by taking people off the streets and by offering a viable alternative to living in unsafe rooming houses.

The first phase of Magpie Nest has been extremely successful:
-  The program has supported over 100 participants 
-  30 per cent of participants have transitioned to rental or community housing
-  15 per cent have moved to homes interstate with family or a partner
-  Houses are now provided exclusively for women.