Metro Tasmania drives the message home to address homelessness

St. Vincent de Paul Society CEO, Lara Alexander, has welcomed Metro Tasmania’s support for the 2020 CEO Sleepout. Despite being at opposite ends of the State, Metro Acting CEO, Darren Carey, is giving up his day job for one chilly night on Thursday June 18 to join Lara Alexander and other Tasmanian CEOs for Vinnies’ annual CEO Sleepout.

Mrs Alexander said that homelessness in Tasmania should be a priority for everyone in our community; adding that here more than anywhere, while it is a complex issue, it is solvable.

“Vinnies is very grateful that Metro, a service that is vital to thousands of Tasmanians, is highlighting the importance of addressing homelessness by participating in the 2020 CEO Sleepout,” Mrs Alexander said.

Metro Acting CEO, Mr Darren Carey, said that Vinnies’ CEO Sleepout is a great initiative that raises vital funds to assist the homeless and brings the issue into sharper focus for the community to discuss.

“Homelessness and the conditions that contribute to homelessness in Tasmania are quite complex; but by creating awareness and raising funds, we can all contribute to the solution,” Mr Carey said.

“Anyone in a position of influence in their communities should do their part to help people experiencing homelessness and disadvantage. Through Vinnies CEO Sleepout, they can take an active role by raising awareness of the issue and collecting much needed funds.

“Being originally from Newcastle in NSW, where the winter evenings are slightly warmer, I am expecting the crisp fresh air on an icy night out in the Tasmanian winter to be a challenge.

“I’ll be sleeping outside, albeit for just one night, as part of my own eye-opening experience to raise awareness and bring home the realities of homelessness.

“Imagine how much harder life is for homeless and vulnerable Tasmanians who don’t have ways to protect themselves, particularly during these difficult times of COVID-19.

“This will be my first Vinnies CEO Sleepout but even with my involvement to date, I have learnt to appreciate the difficulties faced by the homeless as they try to survive on the streets,” Mr Carey said.

Mrs Alexander said that the COVID-19 pandemic had made the 2020 CEO Sleepout more difficult than normal.

“Social distancing means this year’s event will see participants sleeping in their backyards in tents, in their cars, or couch surfing like so many of the invisible homeless living in Tasmania. It is important to understand the CEO Sleepout main purpose is to raise awareness about homelessness and risk of homelessness. We cannot fix this unless the community reminds our elected officials we need to come together and find a solution” Mrs Alexander said.

The 2020 CEO Sleepout aims to raise $150,000, with Mr Carey hoping to contribute more than $5,000 from his efforts.

Vinnies 2020 CEO Sleepout will be held in the middle of winter on Thursday June 18, 2020.