IT HAS been a decade since the Sheltered by Grace homeless shelter opened its doors in Waterford.
And if there was one thing shelter founder Jason Loakes said he learned over those 10 years it was to never prejudge anyone's potential to get back on their feet.
"You never know who will succeed and who will fail and we give everyone the same opportunity to succeed," Mr Loakes said.
"Some people need to come back several times before coming back."
Sheltered by Grace has supported people during their darkest moments with many suffering from family breakdowns, drug and alcohol problems and mental health issues.
Many have overcome their setbacks to secure a permanent roof over their heads and returned as volunteers to support others afflicted by homelessness.
Success stories include an "internet guru" who was an ex-client for three years and Kingston man Barry Gilchrist, who conquered alcoholism and returned to his family.
Mr Loakes said demand for homeless services was still red hot in Logan.
"We are getting more than 20 phone calls a day and we are still a very small shelter so we have to turn people away," he said.
"We have got plans to expand with a $100,000 grant but the red tape you have to go through is ridiculous."
The grant was designed to help fund a two-story transition centre to provide counselling, training and accommodation for eight more people in need.
Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows that there are more than 116,000 homeless people on any given night in Australia.
Mr Loakes said he was blessed to overcome early hurdles to keep the shelter standing for its 10-year anniversary.
"We are not just keeping men and women alive and off the streets, we are reconnecting people with their families and friends and helping with drug, alcohol, spiritual and financial problems," he said.
"What I'm most proud of is that we heal not only the individual but families."
Sheltered by Grace will celebrate the milestone with an open community event to be held in late January or early February.
The event will include a jumping castle, sausage sizzle, fairy floss and more.
Donations to the homeless shelter are welcome and can be made by visiting sbg.org.au.
The Waterford shelter is located at 157 Old Logan Village Road.