To celebrate its 15th anniversary, the annual Vinnies CEO Sleepout will be held at Parliament House, the home of Australian democracy, on 20 June.
Politicians, CEOs, and leaders will sleep in the cold to raise funds and awareness for Vinnies front-line support services across the ACT and surrounding regions that combat poverty and homelessness.
In previous years, they have slept out at the National Museum of Australia, the National Portrait Gallery, and the National Arboretum.
This year, the event hopes to raise more than $800,000.
“This year’s theme is ‘change needs you’,” Lucy Hohnen, CEO of St Vincent de Paul Canberra/Goulburn, said. “I am challenging leaders in business, politics, and the community sector to help drive the change we need to address homelessness in our region. At Vinnies, we see firsthand what the cost of living and housing crisis is doing to people from all backgrounds and stages of life. We know that’s it’s never been worse.”
Homelessness is increasing. In 2021, 1,777 people were homeless in the ACT – an 11 per cent increase since 2016. According to last year’s ROGS reports, there were 200 more persistently homeless people in 2021–22 than there were in 2018–19. The ACT average (42.9 per cent) of people accessing homelessness support
“Through our front-line services, made possible by community support like the Sleepout,” Ms Hohnen said, “we meet people at their lowest ebb and give them the essential hand up by preventing evictions, finding a safe place to sleep, rebuilding trust, and more.”
“Our fundraising target reflects the significant need in our community that we need to meet, and I would like to hope that with this inspiring venue, the stories of lived experience that the participants will hear on the night, and seeing the impact of our work, we may well exceed that amount, we’ll need every dollar.”
Vinnies calls on leaders to register and committing to raise at least $4,000 or to support someone taking part and help raise critical funds for Vinnies frontline services.
Registrations are now open. To sign up, or to nominate your boss, visit: https://www.ceosleepout.org.au/register-lightbox
Senator Sue Lines, President of the Senate, said: “Homelessness is a major issue across Australia. This is an issue which we are deeply committed to – and where the centre of Australia’s democracy needs to lead by example.”
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Milton Dick MP, said he was proud to participate this year. “I encourage everyone to reach out to their networks, spread the word about the Sleepout, and let everyone know that Vinnies need their support,” he said.
The Department of Parliamentary Services is supporting the Sleepout.
Departmental secretary Rob Stefanic said: “Our department has proudly maintained an association with Vinnies for a number of years, including through the COVID-19 pandemic. I am honoured that we’ve been able to now finally host this critical fundraising initiative.”
After a Sleepout last year on the Far South Coast of NSW, Vinnies Canberra/Goulburn introduced specialist homelessness services to the region. This year, they will stage satellite Sleepouts in Merimbula and in Young. The funds raised in these communities will be used to support people experiencing or at risk of homelessness in their region.
