Coffee drinkers will also be asked to put money in a bright yellow CafeSmart box on the coffee shop’s counter.

Designed to coincide with Homelessness Prevention Week, the national CafeSmart initiative will not only raise money, it will also remind people homelessness is a problem, even in Orange.

All of the money raised by participating Orange cafes, including Byng Street Cafe, The Endsleigh, Byng Street Hospital Coffee Cart, Factory Espresso, Hawkes General Store, Good Eddy, Racine Bakery and Roberts Bakery, will go to Orange organisations, including Veritas House.

 Veritas House general manager Jody Pearce said her organisation, which runs Emerge Youth and Family Services in Orange, would benefit from this year’s CafeSmart initiative, organised by StreetSmart Australia.

“Emerge has a specific focus on supporting vulnerable children, young people and their families in the Orange, Cabonne and Blayney areas,” Ms Pearce said.

“On any given night Emerge provides accommodation and or support to 30 local children and young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.”

Ms Pearce said the main causes of youth homelessness are domestic violence, family breakdown, lack of affordable housing and poverty.

“For around 30 years Emerge has operated a six bed 24 hour, seven-days a week, youth refuge that is often filled to capacity with kids requiring accommodation and support,” she said

“On a yearly basis Emerge provided assistance to over 150 children and young people in need of accommodation and support in our local community.”

tracey.prisk@fairfaxmedia.com.au