Valuable funds raised from the event will help Vinnies provide immediate relief to vulnerable people as well as raise awareness about the challenges people experiencing poverty and homelessness face. Photo: St Vincent De Paul Society.
The St Vincent De Paul Society’s “Drive-In, Sleep-In” is a new community event that aims to focus on those less fortunate who have no option than to sleep in their car.
Families, friends, community, and business organisations are encouraged to camp in their cars on the night of 12 October to donate their good night’s sleep and experience what it is like to sleep in unideal conditions.
Every night, more than 9000 Western Australians experience homelessness; of these people, 3656 are adolescents and children – specifically 1493 are children under the age of 12 years.
The Vinnies “Drive-In, Sleep-In” will commence with a drive-in movie at 6pm on 12 October at Galaxy Drive-In Theatre, a modest dinner and breakfast will be made available.
Carl Prowse, Vinnies Executive Manager of Social Enterprise, said sleeping in your car for one night will be eye-opening and leave you with a greater sense of empathy and understanding for people experiencing disadvantage.
Valuable funds raised from the event will help Vinnies provide immediate relief to vulnerable people as well as raise awareness about the challenges people experiencing poverty and homelessness face.
“People experiencing any type of homelessness have to face loneliness, fear and hunger as well as barriers to medical care, employment and education,” Mr Prowse said.
“So many families and individuals have no choice but to sleep in their cars each night; this new event brings to our attention the complex issues that surround homelessness and social disadvantage.”
The Vinnies “Drive-In, Sleep-In” will commence with a drive-in movie at 6pm on 12 October at Galaxy Drive-In Theatre. Photo: St Vincent De Paul Society.
He said the challenge will require people to break out of their comfort zone for one night only.
“Homelessness and poverty is often overlooked and misunderstood by the wider community, so this is a glimpse into the reality of what it’s like to not have a home and to understand what the impact might be that we don’t always see in our busy lives.” Mr Prowse added.
The success of “Drive-In, Sleep-In” is vital to Vinnies’ work in the community helping people experiencing, or at risk of homelessness in WA.
Being part of this inaugural event means the funds raised and the night that people give can change lives.
For more information, call 08 6323 7543 or visit: driveinsleepin.org.au