General News
19 April, 2024
Locals support homeless youth
THANKS to the generosity of local shoppers and businesses, young people living on the streets now have the chance to enjoy a more comfortable night’s sleep.
As the nation marked ‘Youth Homelessness Matters Day’ last Wednesday (April 17), the SleepSafe program is helping young people without a safe place to call home feel supported and cared for.
This collaborative effort between StreetSmart and Sheridan provides bed linen and towel kits that give dignity and a safer night’s rest to those facing homelessness.
Through SleepSafe, the Warrnambool Sheridan store has fundraised over 320 Sleep Kits for local charities such as Brophy Family and Youth Services who are supporting young people facing homelessness in and around Warrnambool.
Tonight, more than 28,000 young people across Australia will be without a safe place to call home.
With young people making up 23 per cent of the homeless population in Australia, initiatives like SleepSafe are having a greater impact than ever.
The comfort and dignity that brand new sheets and towels give to someone who is facing homelessness, moving on from sleeping rough, or who is finally in a safe home away from domestic and family violence, is immense.
Young people aged 19-24 have the highest rates of homelessness than any other age group.
They face complex challenges in securing safe and affordable housing, and recent data showed 28 per cent of young people presenting alone to Specialist Homelessness Services are couch surfing.
These sleep kits help to create the simple comforts of home for those facing a difficult time in their life.
They also provide much needed financial relief to local community organisations who receive very little funding.
Sheridan store staff advocate and fundraise to help provide sleep kits to vulnerable people in their region with donations helping to provide a Sleep Kit consisting of a sheet set, pillowcase and towel.
“When you’ve experienced housing insecurity and homelessness, often without the guidance and support of a parent, the comfort of a clean towel and sheets of your own help bring a sense of safety and self-worth,” CEO of StreetSmart Australia, Geoff Hills said.
Anyone wishing to find out more, or donate to the program, can head to streetsmartaustralia.org/sleepsafe.
