What are the main goals of Altru Festival?
The main goal of Altru Festival is to provide more than just a fun day out,it’s about creating real, tangible support for people facing hardship. We want to break down barriers to essential services by offering them a welcoming, judgment-free festival environment. Altru is about restoring dignity and creating connection, it’s not just about meeting immediate needs but also setting people up with ongoing support and a sense of belonging.
What services and activities can the community expect to find at the festival?
Altru blends practical support with festival fun. On the services side, guests will have access to:
- Housing assistance and legal support
- Medical and mental health services
- Employment resources and financial guidance
- Haircuts and personal care
- Pop up grocery store
- Gifting- back to school pack, clothing and shoes
- Festival fun – win a toy, face painting, arts and crafts
The idea is to create a space where people feel like valued guests, not just recipients of aid.
What resources are needed or requested the most by those at-risk?
The most requested resources are housing support, mental health care, and medical services. Many guests face systemic barriers that make it hard to break the cycle of poverty. Basic needs like food, hygiene, and clothing are also consistently in demand.
Are there any specific partners or organisations involved in Altru Festival?
Yes! We partner with a range of incredible nonprofits and service providers, including organizations focused on housing, LGBTQIA+ support, domestic violence prevention, and mental health care. We also work with local businesses and brands to secure resources and create long-term solutions. It’s about building a network of support that extends beyond the festival.
What common misconceptions about homelessness do you hope to address with Altru Festival?
One of the biggest misconceptions is that homelessness only affects certain “types” of people. The reality is that almost one-third of full-time workers in Australia are struggling to make ends meet. Hardship doesn’t always look like rough sleeping—it includes people living in cars, couch surfing, or stuck in unstable housing. Altru challenges the idea that poverty is a personal failure—it’s often the result of systemic barriers, lack of access to support and now rising cost of living.
How can the general public support these at-risk communities year-round, beyond the festival?
Consistency is key. Volunteering regularly with local organizations, advocating for better housing policies, and supporting nonprofits financially (even small donations count) are meaningful ways to help. Most importantly, we need to change how we talk about poverty and shifting from judgment to curiosity and understanding. Being informed and compassionate can create powerful change.
How do activities and entertainment contribute to a sense of hope or healing for people experiencing housing insecurity? What roles will they play during the festival?
Joy is healing. Music, art, and entertainment create a sense of normalcy and connection that many guests have been deprived of. It’s not just about meeting basic needs it’s about creating moments of hope and reminding people that they deserve joy and to have a break from fight or flight. When someone feels valued and part of a community, it opens the door to healing and hope.
Will Altru Festival provide ongoing support to attendees that need it?
Yes. Altru doesn’t stop when the festival ends. We work closely with local organizations to ensure guests are connected to long-term support like housing assistance, mental health services, and job training. The goal is not just to create a positive experience, it’s to provide a starting point for lasting change.
Why are volunteers so important? What roles do they play, and how can they be prepared to make the biggest impact?
Volunteers are the heart of Altru Charity. They bring the vibes! They are intentionally putting good back into the world. Each guest is paired with a volunteer to help them navigate the services available, answer questions, and simply make them feel part of our community. Volunteers create a sense of dignity and connection that’s hard to replicate. It’s not just about logistics it’s about human connection. When a volunteer treats a guest with respect and care, it reinforces the message that they matter. That impact lasts long after the festival ends because kindness is only learned once it’s experienced.
How do you see the event growing or evolving in the future?
Our goal is to make Altru sustainable and expand to more cities across Australia, including regional areas where support is often harder to access. But the real dream? To reach a point where Altru charity isn’t needed because poverty and hardship have been addressed at a systemic level. We believe poverty is a solvable and preventable societal issue and while we’ll keep building and expanding for as long as we’re needed, the ultimate success would be putting ourselves out of business.
Altru is a charity redefining how society addresses social inequality. With an all-volunteer team and a 0% admin model, every dollar contributed goes directly into delivering measurable impact. Interested in volunteering at Altru Festival? To find out more, click HERE
Sunday March 23, 10-5 pm
Atherton Reserve, Napier St, Fitzroy VIC 3065
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