Vinnies CEO Sleepout

We are pleased to share the final results of the 2024 Vinnies CEO Sleepout and the impact made across Australia. Together, 1591 business, community, and government leaders like yourself attended 15 events, and raised an incredible $8.66M impacting 388,000 lives! Thank you! It’s a phenomenal number, and the money will achieve something truly priceless. Thanks to you, more people can stay in their homes, access safe, secure accommodation and have somewhere to turn in times of need. Here’s a snapshot of the assistance provided across the country – thanks to your support! South Australia   👤 2,088 people supported 🛏️ 5,482 nights of accommodation 🍽️ 21,926 meals provided Victoria  👤 4,526 people supported 🛏️ 11,881 nights of accommodation 🍽️ 47,524 meals provided  Western Australia  👤 2,490 people supported 🛏️ 6,537 nights of accommodation 🍽️ 26,147 meals provided Queensland  👤 4,410 people supported 🛏️ 11,576 nights of accommodation 🍽️ 46,305 meals provided Gold Coast 👤 1,972 people supported 🛏️ 5,176 nights of accommodation 🍽️ 20,702 meals provided New South Wales 👤 8,883 people supported 🛏️ 23,319 nights of accommodation 🍽️ 93,275 meals provided Northern Territory 👤 211 people supported 🛏️ 553 nights of accommodation 🍽️ 2,973 meals provided ACT and Surrounds 👤 2,699 people supported 🛏️ 7,086 nights of accommodation 🍽️ 28,345 meals provided Tasmania  👤 229 people supported 🛏️ 601 nights of accommodation 🍽️ 2,405 meals provided  Want to learn more? Read all of the State and Territory highlights in our National Impact Report here https://lnkd.in/gr76y_Ps #homelessnessawareness #CEOsleepout

Our Vinnies Housing Plus team attended the Anti-Poverty Week Gala at Government House in Perth earlier this month, joining hundreds of others for ‘Listening Day,’ a powerful initiative focused on raising awareness about poverty in WA. Running from 13-21 October, Anti-Poverty Week aims to increase understanding of how poverty affects individuals, families, and communities, and encourages collective action to end it. The teddy bear display represented 100 children, with 14 living below the poverty line here in Australia — an important reminder of the challenges faced by vulnerable families.

Sydney let’s get behind Vinnies NSW clothing drive appeal to help those in need. Business Sydney is proud to be supporting Vinnies NSW as they launch their biggest ever clothing drive appeal. Everyone has something in their wardrobe that they don’t need anymore. Vinnies is calling on Sydneysiders to declutter, clear out their unworn items and help Vinnies generate funding for the critical services and care people need every day. We want to start conversations about the real value of clothing donations. Think of a clothing donation to Vinnies Shops as a financial donation to Vinnies - every donation helps. Donating a pair of shoes could provide someone with a food hamper; an unworn coat could go towards the cost of running short term accommodation for a woman escaping violence; or those jeans that don’t quite fit anymore could help pay someone’s rent for a month. Yesterday, Business Sydney with a number of its members helped launched the campaign, a giant 4-metre-high Vinnies donation box has popped up in the heart of the CBD. Vinnies is encouraging all Sydneysiders to donate their quality preloved clothing and help enable them to raise funds for vulnerable communities. There was such a great buzz yesterday with local businesses taking our smaller donation boxes back to their offices to fill with quality clothing donations this week. If you’re around this week, we’d love to see you (and your quality donations) at 255 George Street Sydney. If you can’t make it into the city this week, all 220+ Vinnies Shops across NSW are also welcoming your donations. #sydney #vinniesnsw #donations #clothingdriveappeal #helpingthoseinneed #sleepingrough #welovevinnies #welovesydney

As part of our in-depth exploration of social housing, this week Ray Kelleher, Executive General Manager - Housing and Property Strategy at VincentCare Victoria Community Housing, provides insights into the true meaning and impact of social housing. We manage social housing around the state, including 185 new social housing homes being built in Footscray, Bendigo, and Wollert in partnership with Homes Victoria as part of the Victorian State government’s Big Housing Build. “Public housing is owned and managed by the government, supporting eligible Victorians. Community Housing on the other hand, is owned and managed by not-for-profit organisations like Saint Vincent de Paul Victoria,” says Ray. “We work closely with Homes Victoria to deliver more housing to Victorians in need, ensuring that every Victorian adult and children has access to a safe and supportive place to call home, which is at the core of what we do across all of our services.” These homes represent more than just a roof—they are safe havens that provide security, stability, and the foundation for families to grow and thrive. At St Vincent de Paul Victoria, we believe that every adult and child deserves a place to call home, where they can feel supported, pursue their dreams, and build a brighter future. 💙 #SocialHousing #HomesVictoria #CommunityHousing #HousingForAll

The dignity of every Australian means honouring their rights and empowering them to reach their life potential, whatever their background, circumstances or beliefs. --  Australia’s economic growth for almost 30 years has improved our living standards. Yet over 3.3 million people, including 761,000 children, have been left behind and are living in persistent poverty. -- Households relying on income support are five times more likely to experience poverty and struggle to make ends meet. Young people, single parents, Australia’s First Nations People, the long-term unemployed and those living with disability or ill-health are particularly vulnerable.  -- Together we can end poverty in Australia. Share this post and tag your local MP to act.  

In FY23-24, nearly 809,300 meals were served to individuals in crisis and facing desperate situations, each meal offering more than just nourishment – it provided hope and comfort during incredibly difficult times. 🍲 For many, it was a lifeline that brought relief and the promise of brighter days ahead. Your generosity can help ensure that even more Victorians receive the support they need. Please donate to our Spring Appeal and be part of a positive change for those who need it most. 💙

"When I was homeless, I felt like I was trapped in a crushing dark hole - just fear lurking around me, eating away my mind. I didn’t want to talk because I had forgotten how to and I was full of shame. Ozanam House became my safe space and the people here helped me to find the courage to ask for help. They pulled me out of my hole. For that, I will always love them" Today is #WorldHomelessnessDay and #WorldMentalHealthDay– a powerful reminder that homelessness is a complex issue and directly linked to mental health. We see every day that the constant uncertainty and lack of safety for people experiencing homelessness can take a toll on mental health. Access to safe and secure housing and compassionate support isn’t just about providing a roof over someone’s head. It’s about giving people the chance to heal, to feel seen and heard and to reclaim their sense of self-worth. That is what we strive to do.

Demand for our Vinnies soup vans has significantly increased, and in response, we’ve expanded our services to reach more people in need. Here are our dedicated vannies (Vinnies soup van volunteers) at our new stop on our inner-city route near the Richmond high rise towers, where there is a growing need for support. On its very first day, they served 70 individuals who rely on us for nutritious food and a listening ear. This new stop is just one example of how we continue to adapt to meet the needs of the community, ensuring that no one goes without essential support. We’re incredibly grateful to our volunteers and supporters who make it possible for us to provide this vital service. Together, we are making a real difference in the lives of people experiencing hardship.

In 2023, Vinnies kicked off the 500 Homes in 5 Years project, our single biggest single housing project in St Vincent de Paul Queensland history. With effective results in multiple Scandinavian countries, our 500 Homes in 5 Years project is a “housing first” approach. This model helps vulnerable people transition through the process of crisis accommodation to achieve secure, stable tenancies — and even home ownership. Thanks to your generosity, the first 147 homes have been secured! Locations in Nerang, Bundaberg and Toowoomba have been identified and design work is underway. Construction is due to start in early 2025! MORE SAFE HOUSING ON THE WAY Vinnies have partnered with the QLD State Government to ensure more people have access to safe homes: - In South Brisbane, a 60-unit hotel will support small families, older women and expectant mothers. - In Rothwell, 17-unit aged care centre will be used for crisis accommodation for urgent housing needs, including women experiencing family violence. Thanks to support like yours, Vinnies has drastically increased our accommodation support to meet the demand. In 2024, 128,510 nights of accommodation were provided — a 30% increase on the previous financial year. We are truly thankful for leaders like you who go without shelter for the night. The money you raise changes lives for the better and you inspire others to tackle homelessness in Australia. In the face of our cost-of-living-crisis, it’s passion and leadership like yours that can help break the cycle of homelessness.

Last night, another team of dedicated Mannixians joined the St. Vincent's Soup Van, serving meals to those in need. Thank you, Vinnies Victoria, for the opportunity to serve alongside you. with Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne, Monash University #monashuniversity #volunteeringisfun