Junior Vinnies Winter Sleepout

On Thursday 29th August, 62 students and 7 staff participated in the Saint Ignatius Vinnies Junior Winter Sleepout to support and raise awareness for homelessness in Australia, as well as raise funds for the Drysdale St Vincent de Paul branch. Leading up to the Sleepout students were fundraising for St Vincent de Paul via our fundraising page. Students and their family and friends raised a total of $731 for the Drysdale St Vincent de Paul Chapter.

The evening commenced with an acknowledgement of country by Abigail Valentine-Rawlins (FIRE Carrier) and a prayer and reflection written and led by Isabel Kincaid (Liturgy Captain). Students were welcomed by Isabella Harry (Justice Captain) who then introduced our guest speaker Sammy. Sammy is from the Jesuit Social Services Just Voices Program and shared his personal story and challenges of homelessness. Sammy is also a successful rapper and performed a few of his raps with the students!

Students from Years 7-10 spent the rest of the evening in small groups run by Year 9, 11 and 12 leaders where they learnt about the key issues associated with homelessness including demographics, causes, government funding and Catholic Social Teaching. Students were challenged to reflect on how this new information could inform their thoughts, words and actions when personally responding to homelessness.

Students ate a simple dinner of soup, a ham and cheese sandwich and a muesli bar to simulate a meal provided by a soup van on any given night in Melbourne. Students were randomly allocated a sleeping space in the gym that statistically represented primary, secondary and tertiary states of homelessness in Australia.

Overall, the experience was very rewarding and offered an opportunity to express solidarity for those facing homelessness and provide an insight into the everyday challenges and struggles that is a reality for 116,000 people in Australia.

Alicia Deak Justice and Service Coordinator