Vinnies CEO Sleepout

On Thursday 17th June 2010, the Vinnies CEO Sleepout took place in capital cities across Australia.  The event challenges business and community leaders to experience homelessness first-hand for one night, raise important money, and with fresh insight go on to effect change in social opinions on this serious issue.  All money raised goes directly towards helping Australia's estimated 105,000 homeless men, women and children find the warmth, safety and dignity that they desperately deserve.

Kevin Young, founder of The Investors Club participated in this event raising a $2,615 including a donation of $1,135 from Club Cares.  The housing crisis is something Kevin is very passionate about. Australians are struggling to find affordable housing as a result of the banks’ high rate policies and the credit squeeze enforced on builders. Too many people are being forced to live on the street because of the housing crisis.

In Queensland, the St Vincent de Paul Society operates a range of accommodation services and support to help alleviate the suffering of people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness.  Their goal is to offer long-term solutions that truly break the cycle of poverty and homelessness by offering people a hand up, not just a hand out.

Nearly half of Australia's homeless are women and sadly, around thirty percent are children. The flagship Families Back on Track project on the Gold Coast provides a safe and caring environment to facilitate the re-establishment of homeless parents and their children back into the community through support, education and one-on-one case management.

www.ceosleepout.org.au