HELP SUPPORT VINNIES CEO SLEEPOUT
The aim of the Vinnies CEO Sleepout is not only to raise funds, but raise awareness of homelessness. Our goal is not just to service the homeless, but to bring about an end to homelessness. The discomfort of sleeping on the streets is a fragment of the larger reality we hope to impart upon influential leaders of the community. With their help, and yours, we can fight the issue of homelessness together.
Here’s how your donation can help:
$50 can provide a meal and educational resource for a disadvantaged child.
$100 can help ensure a family keeps its power on this winter.
$200 provides emergency accommodation and food to a family in crisis.
$500 could relocate and establish a homeless person into one of the Society’s homeless accommodation services.
$1,000 would pay the rent for a family facing eviction from their home.
On Thursday June 18th I’ll be supporting Vinnies. If you’d like to donate, please visit:
https://www.ceosleepout.org.au/ceos/nsw-ceos/phillip-cenere-the-university-of-notre-dame-austra/
Your support is greatly appreciated.
KEY STATISTICS AND MESSAGES
There are 105,237 people experiencing homelessness every night across Australia; this represents an 8% increase since the 2006 Census.
60% of the homeless population is under the age of 35, dispelling the myth that the ‘average’ person experiencing homelessness is the stereotypical older man.
More than 17,000 Australian children under the age of 12 have no permanent home. A further 10,900 young people aged 12 to 18 are experiencing homelessness; most are estranged from their families.
17% of homeless Australians are aged over 55. Of these, 36% are women.
39% of Australians experiencing homelessness are living in severely crowded dwellings (those requiring four or more additional bedrooms to accommodate them adequately).
People living in ‘severely crowded dwellings’ represent the greatest increase of 31% since 2006.
People experiencing homelessness are more likely to suffer from severe mental health issues than the rest of the population. The experience of homelessness can trigger and exacerbate mental illness. The experience of homelessness brings with it a heightened vulnerability to violence.
Unemployment, family breakdown and drug and alcohol abuse are additional factors that lead to homelessness.
Homelessness Australia estimates there are over 1,300 homeless assistance services across Australia. Each year the homeless service system provides almost 3 million nights of accommodation.