On Thursday, August 28th, locals will roll out their sleeping bags and spend the night on the verandah of Vinnies Young for the town’s first-ever Vinnies Community Sleepout, a grass-roots initiative aimed at supporting people facing homelessness and housing stress in the region.
The event will run from 6pm to 6am at 120 Lovell Street, and organisers are hoping to raise $60,000, all of which will stay in the Western region to support local programs. Unlike last year’s CEO Sleepout, this year’s event is open to the broader community, giving more people a chance to get involved and support those doing it tough. Sharon McCoy, Regional Support Leader for St Vincent de Paul in the Western region, said the community-based approach makes it easier for people to feel connected to where their donations are going.
“Last year’s CEO Sleepout was great, but we heard from a lot of people who wanted to take part and didn’t think they fit the ‘CEO’ label,” Sharon said. “So we opened it up to everyone. This is about locals helping locals, and we’re proud to be running it right here in Young.”
The funds raised will go directly to practical and urgent support services. That includes pantry staples and toiletries, ready-to-heat meals for people in temporary accommodation, emergency swags for those sleeping rough, and case management support for people struggling to maintain tenancies or secure crisis accommodation.
“We’re seeing more people every week needing help,” Sharon said. “Whether it’s a single parent who’s fallen behind on rent or someone living out of their car, the demand is increasing and the community’s support is more important than ever.”
Organisers expect 25 to 30 participants to take part in this year’s Sleep-out. The impact will be significant. “Times are tough for everyone, but every dollar raised goes directly to helping families in our region,” Sharon said. “It might not seem like much, but even small donations can mean the difference between someone having a warm meal or going hungry. The event is also about creating awareness. While participants won’t experience the full reality of homelessness, sleeping out for one night helps foster empathy and understanding of what others face daily. In the last 12 months, Vinnies provided over 7,000 instances of assistance across the region, including food, housing support, and referrals. The need has only grown as cost-of-living pressures hit households harder. The team at Vinnies is encouraging anyone who wants to support the cause, whether by participating in the Sleepout or by donating, to get involved.
“This is more than a fundraiser. It’s about standing together as a community,” Sharon said. “We’re proud to be part of a town like Young where people care and show up for one another.”
– Liam Stuart
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