Armidale locals can help make a difference for local people experiencing homelessness this Homelessness Week (4–10 August) by joining the NSW Vinnies Community Sleepout to address the rising demand for assistance across the region.
Participants in Armidale will sleep out at the Sport UNE Gym on Friday, 22 August, with funds raised from the event remaining in the local community to support the work of local services operated by the St Vincent de Paul Society NSW.
“As we mark Homelessness Week and the theme ‘Homelessness Action Now’, it’s important for everyone to recognise the scale of homelessness and how we can all play a part in ensuring support is available in times of need,” said Sarah Wilson, St Vincent de Paul Society NSW Regional Director – North West.
“The NSW Vinnies Community Sleepout aims to inform people about homelessness on a large scale, while also bringing the issue down to the local level to show how everyone could be without a safe place to live.”
Over 800 people were supported by St Vincent de Paul Society NSW members in the Armidale region over the past year, with two-thirds of people seeking food assistance and one in five people accessing assistance for the first time.
“More than half of the people reaching out to our members in Armidale and neighbouring towns over the last year experienced housing stress.
“By supporting people through an early intervention approach, we can help to prevent people from becoming homeless by connecting them with support in the local community before it becomes a major crisis.
“Taking part in the NSW Vinnies Community Sleepout is a tangible action everyone can take to recognise the challenges that exist in the local community and play a part in supporting people facing hardship,” said Ms Wilson.
Funds raised from the night will support the Start Fresh Community Connections Program, connecting people assisted by Freeman House to engage with the local community and build supportive social networks as part of their recovery journeys.
St Vincent de Paul Society NSW members assisted over 100,000 people across the state during the last financial year.
Register to take part or donate at www.vinnies.org.au/communitysleepout.
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