Whenever SalvoConnect Western chaplain Fiona White tells this to a classroom full of pupils, the looks on their faces says it all.

“They begin to realise children alongside them might have experienced something they haven’t known about,” she said. “It’s a big number.”

Because homelessness does not always involve sleeping on the streets, the faces of parents and children who couch surf or have no regular place to call home in Ballarat can remain hidden.

“Often the public get an idea of what a homeless person looks like and while some families do fit that picture, some don’t,” Ms White said. “But the impact on the children is still the same.”

Alison Ford works with children from six weeks to six years old and sees the consequences firsthand in her role as child care coordinator with SalvoConnect Western.

“Some come in under developmental areas, they might present as a four year old but they might have the skills of a two year old,” she said.

“There is also the additional needs of the mums and dads – they might need extra food resources, help with homelessness or even with parenting basics such as how to pack lunches or change a nappy.”

A lot of the children do not have language or communication skills with parents dealing with other problems or as a result of family violence and trauma.

“Some children come in really withdrawn and you have to sit one-on-one with them,” Ms Ford said. 

“It’s often harder to reach out to them because they’re scared and being here is another challenge for them as they don’t understand safety.

“Then you have the hyperactive child that doesn’t know how to calm down.”

But programs such as mindfulness, animal farms, counselling services and equine therapy, along with parenting courses and the nurturing chid care centre, provide early intervention to break the cycle of homelessness.

The organisation also provides essentials such as food items and school supplies, which allows children to look the same as other children and feel like they belong.

SalvoConnect Western’s Walking Home is a fundraising event where much-needed proceeds go directly towards these children by funding these initiatives.

The walk takes place on Saturday, March 17, with three distances to choose from with starting points at Smythesdale, Haddon or Lucas and the end point at Victoria Park.

For more information or to register visit www.salvationarmy.org.au/walkinghomeballarat.