Taking its inspiration from metropolitan-based events such as MCM’s ’Sleep at the G’ or Vinnies’ CEO Sleepout, The Salvation Army North East Youth Services has created Shepparton’s own VIP sleepout called Under The Same Stars.
Salvation Army NEYS youth participation worker Jim Gow said bringing the event back this year was a no-brainer for his team, with 79 16- to 25-year-olds going without permanent housing in Greater Shepparton each night.
He urged people to consider the event as a networking opportunity with a purpose.
“We are aware that people want to help, but aren’t always sure how,” Mr Gow said.
“This is a great opportunity to not only help, but to network with others and experience what many experience each and every single day.”
Youth Homelessness Matters Day is on the third Wednesday in April each year, which is why April 15 has been chosen for this year’s sleepout.
The sleepout starts at 5pm and concludes at 7am the following day.
All funds raised will go directly to youth homelessness in this region.
“It’s important that the funds stay local for us. Many fundraisers send money to different areas; however, this money is raised by locals for locals,” Mr Gow said.
The $25,000 raised last year has not yet been spent.
It sits in a dedicated account that will be added to until there are enough funds to build something with bricks and mortar.
“It isn’t consumed in organisational costs or day-to-day expenses,” Mr Gow said.
While funds await growth before being utilised, Mr Gow said last year’s event had helped in other intangible ways.
“I think the event has helped shine a light on youth homelessness more with a thought that people may consider their judgments when they see someone in this position,” he said.
“I feel that this reduces stigma in our community also.”
A side event called Miles From Home will be quite literally ‘run’ in conjunction with the sleepout.
Last year, local ultra-marathoners Peter Ralph and Vic Bovalino ran 100 miles (around 161km) from Epping, in less than 22 hours to arrive at Deakin Reserve, where the sleepout is staged, during the night.
“It was a massive personal achievement, but now we want to create more of a community running event — something that the running community can be a part of, not just Vic and I,” Mr Ralph said.
“This has been in our minds for a while, and why not raise funds for a worthy cause by doing it, everybody wins.”
The pair are lacing up their sneakers to run for 24 hours straight this year, but others are not expected to commit quite that intensely.
Mr Gow said participants could pick how many laps of the 1km circuit surrounding the Deakin Reserve precinct that they would like to complete by running, walking or rolling their wheelchairs.
“That’s about personal achievement,” he said.
Miles From Home starts earlier than the sleepout, at 7am on April 15, but will finish at the same time (7am on April 16).
Participants can sign up and invite their friends and family to sponsor them with monetary donations, which will also be funnelled into the sleepout bucket.
The Under The Same Stars sleepout will include information about local homelessness statistics for under 25s and where the funds raised will go, guest speakers discussing their homelessness experiences, and exercises in simulating budgeting when earning Youth Allowance and the challenges that brings.
Entry to the fully supervised, and drug-, alcohol-, smoke- and vape-free event, is via prepaid ticket only.
To register for the sleepout or sign up for Miles From Home, visit the event page.
