Winter weather highlights the importance of Vinnies CEO Sleepout

As Winter begins and temperatures fall across the state, the St Vincent de Paul Society NSW is calling on everyone to support the 2024 Vinnies CEO Sleepout. The Society’s specialist services rely upon funds raised at the event to alleviate the hardship thousands of people experiencing or at risk of homelessness are facing across the state.

“This time of year is difficult for so many people, but none more so than the 35,000 people who will go to sleep in NSW tonight without a secure and safe place to call home,” said Yolanda Saiz, St Vincent de Paul Society NSW CEO.

“Every day, our services are seeing more and more people in need of assistance and events like the Vinnies CEO Sleepout allows the St Vincent de Paul Society NSW to provide critical support when people need it most.

“The Vinnies CEO Sleepout is only one night for participants to gain an insight into the realities of homelessness, but we hope that it will inspire leaders from business, community and politics to use their platforms to bring about change for the better of us all,” said Ms Saiz.

Close to $1 million has been raised in NSW so far to support the St Vincent de Paul Society NSW in delivering crisis accommodation, domestic and family violence refuges, GPs for people with complex needs, alcohol and other drug facilities, social housing, case management, mobile outreach Vinnies Vans and more.

Approximately 90,000 people have been assisted by Vinnies this year with 7,300 supported directly by the Society’s homelessness and housing services where the key reasons for people reaching out for assistance are domestic and family violence (30%), housing eviction (16%) and housing stress (10%).

 “There is an urgent need to support people who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of it across the entire state. These services are critical to helping people who are experiencing disadvantage be able to lead flourishing lives, take care of their health, maintain employment and live beyond one day at a time,” said John Adams, St Vincent de Paul Society NSW Acting State President.

“I urge everyone to give generously to the Vinnies CEO Sleepout so that our services have the capacity to support people now and meet the need that will exist into the future,” said Mr Adams.

The 2024 Vinnies CEO Sleepout will take place on Thursday 20 June across Australia with NSW events in Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong.

Donations can be made online at www.ceosleepout.org.au – all donations over $2 are tax deductible.