Rugby heroes to join MA staff at Brisbane Winter Sleepout

Queensland Reds and Wallabies players Radike Samo and twins Saia and Anthony Faingaa will tonight join a group of Mission Australia staff from the Brisbane South Employment Solutions team sleeping rough to raise money for our homeless services.

Mission Australia’s Elia Tuqiri said staff taking part in the Sleepout at Citipoint Church are aiming to raise up to $10,000 to help people experiencing homelessness.

“In my job I meet a lot of people who are desperately looking for work as they are at risk of losing their home, or worse, are already homeless,” Elia said.

“In many cases, it’s not just individuals who are homeless, but families with young children without a stable home. Many are couch-surfing at friends’ places or sleeping in their car, because they haven’t got a place of their own. In the toughest cases they are sleeping rough in our community.

“I often think of myself as very lucky to have stable full time employment and the ability to pay my rent, have food on the table and a safe place to shower and sleep.

“Sometimes we take these things for granted – and that is why we have organised this Winter Sleepout to build awareness and raise important funding for Mission Australia’s homeless services.”

Former Reds player, Charlie Fetoai will also share how he turned his life around after suffering a serious spinal injury that brought his Rugby Union career to an end.

Charlie now works as a Mission Australia Indigenous Employment program mentor, helping young Indigenous men and women to overcome challenges in their own lives and get the training and support they need to find work.

“When I suffered a serious spinal injury on the field, I went from the highest point in my life – doing what I loved, playing professional rugby – to the lowest point, where I was terrified I might not walk again,” Charlie said.

“It was through self belief, staying positive and the support of my family, friends and team mates that I was able to recover and walk again. The experience completely changed my outlook on life, and has motivated me to help others who are struggling with barriers in their lives that are holding them back.

“The Winter Sleepout is a great cause, aimed at helping people out there who are struggling with circumstances hard for any of us to imagine – and that is why I am pleased to be a part of this event.”

There will be performances by school and dance groups from 6:30pm and the players will be signing autographs from 6pm.

Meanwhile on the Gold Coast, more than 30 staff from Mission Australia’s Employment Solutions offices and the crew from Southport Rotaract Club offices will brave the winter tonight to raise money for the homeless.

Good luck to all everyone camping out tonight for Winter Sleepout to help us reach our $250,000 fundraising target. To find out more about Winter Sleepout or to make a donation, visit: www.wintersleepout.com.au

Thanks to our City2Surfers for going the distance
Huge thanks to the 150 people who ran, walked and even skipped the 14km in last weekend’s Sun-Herald City2Surf in support of Mission Australia. There was a blur of red and white singlets in almost every category of the event, from the speedy runners to the walkers.

A few even ran the whole distance in their PJs, in support of our Winter Sleepout. Along the way hundreds of well-wishers, including Senator Mark Arbib and NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell, offered their support.

Of all our fundraising supporters, first-time City2Surfer Sook Smith outdid herself, raising over $9,000 for our services and sitting at number eight in the overall top ten individual fundraiser ladder for the event.

She joined Mission Australia staff, supporters and members of Team MA, made up of clients of our homeless services, at a post-race barbecue in North Bondi.

All those weeks of training with the Sydney Roosters paid off for Team MA, with all members crossing the finishing line. Among them was Wayne Richards, who has taken part in every City2Surf since 1974.

In the lead-up to the City2Surf, Wayne attended every training session with players Ethan Lowe, Cheyse Blair, Lama Tasi and Boyd Cordner.

Thanks to Wayne, his team mates, all our fundraisers and their supporters for playing your part in this fabulous community event. Your efforts have raised a much-needed $20,000 for Mission Australia’s support services.

Media Release: Local Mission Australia staff sleep out to help the homeless

More than thirty staff from Mission Australia’s Employment Solutions offices on the Gold Coast & the crew from Southport Rotaract Club offices will brave the winter cold tonight, in an effort to raise money for the not-for-profit’s homeless services.

The driving force behind the local event – Crystal Jousovec from Mission Australia’s Employment Solutions office in Palm Beach – said she decided to organise a Winter Sleepout because she wanted to help people less fortunate than herself.

“In my job I meet a lot of people who are desperately looking for work as they are at risk of losing their home, or worse, are already homeless,” Crystal said.

“In many cases, it’s not just individuals who are homeless, but families with young children without a stable home.

“Many are couch-surfing at friend’s places or sleeping in their car, because they haven’t got a place of their own. In the toughest cases they are sleeping rough in our community.

“I have experienced homelessness personally myself in a brief moment over a year ago.

“I have a young daughter and I understand the despair of not having anywhere to live. Luckily I had the support of my friends and work mates to help bring me through homelessness and I now have my own unit which I pay rent for.

“I often think of myself as very lucky to have stable full time employment and the ability to pay my rent, have food on the table and a safe place to shower and sleep.

“Sometimes we take these things for granted – and that is why I wanted to organise a Winter Sleepout to build awareness and raise important funding for Mission Australia’s homeless services.”

The Winter Sleepout is being held at Southport Rotaract Youth Club, Lawson Street Southport, tonight from 7pm, with the group aiming to raise $1000 or more.

Raffles will be held on the night, with Jupiters Casino donating one night’s accommodation in a superior room for two adults, including buffet breakfast; and local beauty company True Beauty Revealed donating vouchers for facials and massages at their salon.

Mission Australia’s Winter Sleepout, which was first held in 1988 in Sydney’s Martin Place, is about raising both awareness and funds for Mission Australia’s more than 100 services for homeless people nationally.

Last year, Mission Australia assisted close to 30,000 people who were homeless or at risk of homelessness.

This year’s Winter Sleepout fundraising target is $250,000. With your participation, we can reach this target and help transform the lives of more homeless Australians in 2011.

To find out more about Winter Sleepout or to register, visit: www.wintersleepout.com.au

For more information on tonight’s event at Southport contact (07) 5559 6200

Media Contact: Nicola Hazell (07) 3394 8114 or 0467 783 421

Above photo: The team from Employment Solutions Palm Beach in preparation for their sleepout

Jen’s jammies hit the headlines

Permanently PJ-clad Jen Cramond, Community Fundraising Manager in our National Office in Sydney, has attracted plenty of attention this month – and a story on the front page of today’s mX newspaper will ensure more people see her in her bright jammies.

As Jen explained to mX journalist Cathy Morris, she’s been wearing pyjamas on her daily commute from Bondi to the city since the start of the month to help raise money for homelessness. And that includes when she pops out for a coffee or goes out for dinner and drinks at night.

"Generally, people give me an up and down look, and don't say anything," Jen told mX. 'But I have had a couple of people ask me what I'm doing.

"I felt a bit nervous on the first clay, after that I kind of go with the flow. It feels like my normal work attire, but I am looking forward to getting back into my normal work clothes."

Jen said she was motivated by the fact the money was going to a good cause.

"I think it's a small discomfort to raise money for such a good cause, there's lots of people out there who don't get a choice about where they sleep each night."

About 100,000 people were homeless across the country every day, with half of those aged under 25.

For every $100 Jen raises she's wearing PJs for another day this month. She has currently raised $1,400 and her last day is set to be Thursday.

"But if I receive more donations I'll keep going," Jen said, adding that she’s been wearing a variety of different types of PJs as part of her fundraising effort, but "the ones that are matching get the best reaction from people".

Great work, Jen! To show your support for Jen’s efforts and help homeless Australians visit everydayhero.com.au/jen_cramond_pj

You can also follow Jen on Twitter - @everynothingyen

Sleeping out for equality

For Adelaide’s Juliette Warnes, the opportunity to transform the lives of homeless Australians motivated her to brave a night out in the cold as part of Mission Australia’s Winter Sleepout. This is Juliette’s account of the experience.

I decided to participate in the Winter Sleepout as an individual fundraiser before asking a couple of friends to join to me. Pretty soon we had a team of about 25 young people in our fundraising group, ‘Team Radelaide’.

We began our Sleepout at around 6pm and shared soup for dinner. We had some time to chat and get to know each other while we started a small campfire to keep warm. Some of us brought along boxes and tarps to use as a basic shelter in case it rained. We spent the night talking, laughing, sharing stories and had a couple of sing-alongs.

Importantly, we set aside some time throughout the night and in the morning to reflect on what homelessness is and how we could best support people who are experiencing it.

A big highlight of the Winter Sleepout was seeing the young people involved begin to comprehend what homelessness is. A person sleeping from couch to couch is homeless, just as a person sleeping on the streets is.

I learned that we can never truly understand what it’s like to be homeless. We can go home to our comfy beds, with our supportive families who put food on the table, who ask us how our day was and offer us the emotional and mental support we need. But it is very hard for us to really grasp the reality of life for a person who is homeless.

I think the challenge of doing Winter Sleepout is keeping young people engaged in the learning experience after the event. It is easy for us to do a one night challenge, but to keep enough momentum to take action after the event is much harder.

I chose to support the people who Mission Australia helps through the Winter Sleepout because I believe in what the organisation is about. I believe in Mission Australia’s commitment to seeing equality and dignity restored to those in need.

Winter Sleepout is a Mission Australia event to raise funds and awareness of homelessness in Australia.

To find out more about Winter Sleepout and register a team visit www.wintersleepout.com.au

Stopping the spiral into homelessness

Every homeless person has a story – and the more you hear, the more you realise that often it’s personal tragedy and misfortune that sets a person on the path to homelessness.

We first met Tom* after we received a call from a concerned Mission Australia supporter – she was worried about a man who had taken up residence on the steps of a Sydney shopping centre.

Tom was initially reluctant to accept help, but it was clear that he was in dire need of care. Tom, aged 61, was underweight, long-haired, barefoot and wearing tattered clothes. After we spent some time with Tom, he cautiously shared his story with us.

Tom grew up on an isolated farm in rural Victoria with his brother Pete* and their mother, who battled a lifelong mental illness. Tom left school in Year 10 and started a career as a fitter and turner. He lived a simple life, earning enough money to get by.

But five years ago Tom was made redundant when his factory closed down and he struggled to find another job in the small rural town. When he could no longer scrape together the rent, Tom had no choice but to move to Sydney to live with Pete.

Tragically, not long after Tom moved to the ‘big smoke’, Pete was killed in a car accident. Depression and anxiety soon gripped Tom. No longer able to afford the high Sydney rent, Tom moved into an illegal boarding house. He made some money doing odd jobs, but never enough to escape his situation.

The chaotic environment of the boarding house intensified Tom’s anxiety and depression. The other residents were drug users and tried to steal the few possessions Tom owned. He became isolated and withdrawn, untrusting and suspicious of everyone.

When things become unbearable, Tom took to the streets – begging from passersby and rummaging through garbage bins for food. Eventually he settled in the alcove of a suburban shopping centre, where Mission Australia outreach staff came to know him.

Within days of hearing Tom’s heartbreaking story, we built up enough trust with this fragile man for him to accept a new pair of shoes and socks. We offered him a bed in an emergency accommodation service, but it took several weeks before he could even bring himself to get in the van with us.

Now Tom is almost ready to move into supported accommodation, and has taken another big step – he’s had a haircut. Feeling much more positive about the future, he is even talking with Mission Australia staff about enrolling in a TAFE course and finding a job.

You can help Australians like Tom by making a donation to Mission Australian’s Winter Appeal. Every contribution will help us to prevent individuals and families from spiralling into the homelessness.

* Names have been changed to protect identities.

Creative Youth Initiatives fundraise over $2,000 in overnight Winter Sleepout

Sydney's Creative Youth Initiatives (CYI) team are back at work and reflecting on their 15-hour Winter Sleepout late last week.

Since the first Winter Sleepout in 1988, thousands of people have registered to give up their warm beds in the height of winter for one night to fundraise for homeless services.

This year the CYI team decided to arrange their own overnight sleepout at their Surry Hills workshop - with enough fun and games for the team to (mostly) make it through the night without a wink of sleep.

The Creative Youth Initiatives' art and music studio, with access to piano, guitars, electric drums, and facilities for painting, was ideal for the team to remain preoccupied while staving off the slumber.  View photos from the night here.

Games, drinks and food were organised through the night, while an office was turned into a 'chill out' zone where the team could retreat for some well-deserved down-time.

The team managed a tremendous effort, with almost $2,200 funds raised, granting them pole position in Winter Sleepout's leader board of group fundraisers.

At the ground level, CYI provides free creative programs for young people aged 16 - 25 who are facing varied challenges in their lives, such as homelessness, mental health issues or family breakdown, and have been reflecting on their Winter Sleepout experience.

Team member Melissa Fenyo said "Winter Sleepout is there to raise awareness of what it must be like to be homeless...but there is nothing trivial about not having a home."

"For many being homeless means sleeping on the streets, in parks or bus shelters - exposed to the elements.

"Many young people who are homeless would be couch surfing, never quite sure how long it will take before they outstay their welcome.

"Then there are the homeless who are in boarding housing or caravan parks with no lease to give them long term security and not knowing when they might get booted out. No ongoing stability and security can exarcebate any mental health issues and make life even tougher.

"The CYI winter sleepout was an opportunity for staff to appreciate their work place, their homes, raise awareness in the general community and also to develop a greater understanding and deeper empathy for many homeless young people who access their services. Lack of sleep made life the next day very difficult.. whatever goes up must come down.

"Being homeless would often mean not having a good nights sleep, making it hard to stay focused and motivated. The Winter Sleep out is a fantastic Mission Australia initiative and one which CYI will continue to be involved with.

"CYI staff would like to thank everyone who donated to our winter sleepout. We are proud to say we have raised $2,195 and are still open to take donations until the end of August."

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View the photo album from the event at the link below.  Updates were provided througout the night by the team on Twitter and Facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/MissionAust?v=photos&ref=sgm#!/album.php?aid=247652&id=17311508507

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Media Release: Mission Australia to roll out the welcome mats to raise awareness of Brisbane’s homeless

Mission Australia’s Winter Sleepout

Today Mission Australia will be rolling out 387 welcome mats in King George Square to raise awareness of Brisbane’s homeless, and its Winter Sleepout campaign.

Mission Australia’s Winter Sleepout campaign aims to raise awareness and funds to help combat the growing issue of homelessness in Australia.

The campaign has been running since 1988, and this year Mission Australia is encouraging social teams, work mates and community groups to get together and sleep out for one night during winter and seek sponsorship for their efforts.

Mission Australia State Director Tony Stevenson said he hoped Tuesday’s event in King George Square raised awareness of the issue of homelessness in Brisbane, and encouraged people to get behind Mission Australia’s campaign and organise their own winter sleepout.

“Living without a stable home is only one of the problems faced by people who are homeless,” Mr Stevenson said.

“Many also feel isolated and lonely, often going for days without conversation or even making eye contact with anyone.

“Money raised from the 2010 Winter Sleepout campaign will go towards supporting those people currently facing homelessness, and helping them get back on their feet.”

Details of the event in King George Square are as follows:

• Date: Tuesday, 13 July 2010
• Venue: King Gorge Square, Brisbane City
• Time: 5.30am – 1.30pm

Local restaurant Groove Train in King George Square is getting behind Mission Australia’s Winter Sleepout campaign, by offering customers the option of adding $2 to their bill from 12 July to 12 August 2010. Money raised from this initiative will go towards Mission Australia’s 2010 Winter Sleepout campaign and supporting Australia’s homeless.

Mission Australia is one of the country’s longest-running community service organisations. For over 150 years, Mission Australia has been helping to transform the lives of Australians in need. In 2008-2009, Mission Australia assisted more than 13,000 homeless individuals and 950 families through its homeless services.

Additional information regarding Mission Australia’s Winter Sleepout can be found at www.facebook.com/mawintersleepout

Sydney youth service to host Winter Sleepout - with a creative edge

Mission Australia's Creative Youth Initiatives (CYI) team are getting prepared for their inaugural 'Art-and-Music-athon', a 15-hour creative drive hosted at their headquarters in Sydney's Surry Hills.

The event is set to kick off at 6pm, Thursday 22nd July, to run through the night to 9am the following day.

CYI's creative team will perform at the event and are each fundraising through CYI's Everyday Hero page to help achieve the fundraising target of $4000.  Supporters contribute to the event by making a donation to individual team members.

The 'Art-and-Music-athon' is a fundraiser for the Winter Sleepout appeal, which in turn strengthens ground-level services such as CYI, or neighbouring services Mission Australia Centre or Missionbeat.

CYI Service Manager, Irene Drivilas, is getting excited about hosting the new event in the wake of the successful album launch of Still Spinning.

"The night will be a buzz of creative inspiration as participants add their expressive flavour and style to musical and artistic activities, games, teasers, energisers and dares; all under the direction of the dynamic CYI team."

With the challenge run overnight, participants will be aided by regular breaks, ‘Down Time' rooms, and food & beverages.

Check out the event site for details, all are welcome!  www.everydayhero.com.au/creative_youth_initiatives 

Back by popular demand - Mission Australia's Winter Sleepout

Mission Australia Winter Sleepout 2010:  2-8 August

Australians have been supporting the Mission Australia Winter Sleepout for over 20 years.

Ever since our first Winter Sleepout in 1988, thousands of people across the nation have shown support for homeless Australians by giving up their own warm beds in the height of winter to raise funds for homeless services.

The Winter Sleepout has proven to be an easy, interactive and fun way to raise awareness and much needed funds to support Mission Australia’s homeless services.

While there will be no ‘public event’ this year, we are encouraging Australians to get a group together and organise their own individual sleepout and be rewarded with sponsorship from family and friends.


While we are encouraging sleepouts to take place during National Homeless Persons Week, August 2nd - 8th, participants may choose to sleepout at any time during winter.

Why not get a group of co-workers, family and friends together and sleep-out in your office or back yard?

There are 105,000* homeless Australians who could do with your support, so call (07) 3394 8136 or email PerovicP@missionaustralia.com.au to order your ‘Winter Sleepout Toolkit’ or check out our website at www.wintersleepout.com.au and start organising your own sleepout today!

*ABS 2008. Counting the Homeless, 2006. Australian Census Analytic Program.