For improving the lives of people experiencing homelessness across the Blue Mountains and western Sydney, Wentworth Community Housing’s Jenny Ranft was honoured with the ZEST outstanding not-for-profit community leader award.
Ms Ranft of Linden has devoted more than 30 years working in social purpose organisations, as well as local and state governments, to support disadvantaged people and improve local communities.
"Being able to see social changes over time is energising," she told the Gazette.
She's convinced those in first world countries like Australia can put an end to homelessness.
"I think in a first world country like Australia, in a community as strong, resilient and community spirited as the Blue Mountains, it's absolutely possible," she said.
"We most recently saw a coalition of housing, local government and others come together to rehouse people from a rough sleeping site from Judges carpark in Penrith, so we can do the same."
Ms Ranft said ending homelessness "doesn't mean no-one is going to be homeless again but as a community we identify [them] early.. we know what services to connect people to and we work with them to find a pathway back into a home".
"I'm amazed at the resilience of the people in western Sydney and the Blue Mountains. We have a real spirit of looking after each other.. and looking after people facing hard times, whether that's homelessness, women and children escaping domestic violence, people with mental health challenges or struggling with alcohol… there's that spirit of care for each other. It's not something that's always there in big cities."
In 2016, Ms Ranft started a community-wide project to end homelessness in Penrith, the Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury, approaching a range of community organisations, local businesses, real estate agents, volunteer groups and local government to work together and establish Heading Home – Ending Homelessness Here.
Wentworth chief executive officer, Stephen McIntyre, said he was thrilled to see the importance of Jenny’s "inspirational" work endorsed by the award.
“Through passion and conviction, Jenny has been able to establish partnerships contributing to resolving homelessness," Mr McIntyre said.
The award was warmly acknowledged by local members, including Stuart Ayres and Susan Templeman, with specific references to her work in homelessness, he added.
Unable to attend the ceremony to receive the award in person from NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Ms Ranft said she felt surprised and grateful.
It takes people from every section of the community to become part of the solution to homelessness and this award belongs to them
- Jenny Ranft
Organised by the Western Sydney Community Forum, the ZEST Awards showcase some of the exceptional people and projects that make a difference in the region. Winners were announced during a presentation at Sydney Olympic Park.