COVID-19 isn’t going to stop Vinnies CEO Sleepout, now in its 15th year.

This year instead of sleeping outdoors in a central location, hundreds of Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), business owners and community and government leaders across the country will nominate to sleep either in their cars, on their couches or in their backyards to gain a sense of the housing insecurity faced by thousands of Australians every night.

Our very own CEO, Alex Lang, will share his experience through an interactive live stream program with other participants around Australia from the footpath outside his house in full winter conditions on 18 June 2020.

This experience is designed to help our leaders really connect with the unfortunate realities of men, women and children experiencing homelessness. Often homelessness falls on those that least expect it, just like Tony who had a good home, a car and long-term secure employment. Watch his story…

A big part of the CEO Sleepout is raising critical funds to support Vinnies programmes but equally important is to raise public awareness on issues surrounding homelessness.

“It is absolutely mind-boggling that more than 116,000 people in Australia don’t have a safe a secure place to live, that’s almost the population of Darwin”, said Alex

Of these 116,000 around 8,200 people are visibly ‘sleeping rough’ in improvised dwellings, tents or outdoors on the streets and in parks. The majority of people experiencing homelessness may  sleep under shelter, but nonetheless lack a suitable home. Many of these people live in overcrowded dwellings, sleep on the couch of a friend or family member, or reside in crisis accommodation or boarding houses.

“Homelessness is a complex issue and there is no single cause of homelessness. It isn’t something we can fix overnight, or even over 15 years, but raising awareness forms a critical part of addressing the issues.”

“I was overwhelmed by the support I got last year in my first-ever CEO Sleepout, and over achieved my initial target of raising $5,000. I’m hopeful of doing the same this year”

Raising over $8,200 in 2019, these generous donations helped:

• feed 149 families for a day;
• keep 68 families warm last winter;
• relocate 27 people to accommodation services; or
• provided emergency accommodation for 16 families.

Please support Alex in his mission to contribute towards providing vital access to food and accommodation as well as education, counselling, employment and health services to help people overcome poverty long term.

Support the CEO Sleepout and make a tax-deductible donation by follow this link:

https://www.ceosleepout.org.au/fundraisers/alexanderlang/sydney