It’s time again for National Homelessness Week, the annual event to raise awareness of homelessness in Australia. This year it is held from Monday 7th to Sunday 13th August with the theme – ‘It’s time to end homelessness’… We couldn’t agree more, it is high time to end homelessness and put the right measures in place to prevent it from here on.
Homelessness Week is an important opportunity to advocate for positive social change. National and local community events, media and social media activities are all taking this opportunity. Check Homelessness Australia for the latest updates including the launch of Homelessness Week 2023 focussed on the solutions needed to end First Nations homelessness.
People experiencing or at risk of homelessness face an acute housing shortage, a cost of living crisis and a rental crisis. They may also be facing the end to their out-of-home care, family violence and/or trauma (abuse/neglect), physical or mental illness, addiction, job loss and/or disability. We hear (and say) – everyone deserves a home, that it is a basic human right but so many are going without. We are seeing families and young people in crisis.
What can you do to help?
Raising awareness is good – you can do this by sharing our work on socials (see links below), have conversations with people about the issue, advocate for change – help to bring in legislation and policy change by using your vote and writing to your local MP. Sign and share this petition.
Treat your fellow humans with dignity – we have, in a way, forgotten how to look out for each other. Check on your neighbours, ask if they’re ok, if you see someone struggling help them, pay it forward, try not to judge the person next to you. Above all, organisations need funds, we can only do as much as we can by stretching every dollar.
We have an active group of supporters who help us to go the extra mile and offer wrap around services to young people beyond a safe and secure home. The need for our services has grown. We have expanded rapidly in a short period of time. While we have grown, we are providing the same level of personal care as previously, the type of care we have become known for.
Visit our community fundraising page to find lots of ideas of how you can help us secure a future for children and young people – because everyone deserves to live life to their full potential! If you would like to know ways to donate to Burdekin please visit our donation page. You might also like to consider fostering a teen or volunteering with us – however you help is always appreciated.
