By Aaron Cordy
YOUTH homelessness affects many young people in the region, with more than 70 known cases of kids sleeping rough in Shepparton each night.
That is why local businesses and Councillors are calling for more businesses to sign up to be part of Under the Same Stars, the VIP Sleepout event organised by North East Youth Services held at the Deakin Reserve on Wednesday, April 16.
Co-owner of Everyday Supplies and mother of three boys, Jac McCarty will spend a night sleeping rough for young people in the community.
“I didn’t know we had 79 people living rough in our own area. I’ve got two teenagers who fall into that category, and I can’t even fathom the idea of them sleeping on the streets and not having food or shelter. That’s just appalling,” said Jac.
“I just put myself in that position with my kids. I can’t imagine that future for my kids. They’re the same age as these kids, they could be playing sport with these kids, or they could be going to school with these kids. My kids are lucky to have shelter, but they don’t. Why should they miss out? It’s terrible. That’s how I feel about it, and that’s why we contribute, and we’ll do all we can to support it going forward.”
Council has thrown its support behind the night, with Mayor Cr Shane Sali, Deputy Mayor Cr Anthony Brophy, Cr Paul Wickham, Cr Sam Spinks and CEO Fiona Le Gassick taking part in the sleepout.
“Youth homelessness in itself, is obviously an issue in our region, right across the state and the country,” said Cr Sali.
“The experience of being around other community members that want to create awareness to this, and that’s what it’s about, and that’s what Council’s role is.”
Event organiser Jim Gow wants everyone in the community to get involved. Tickets for VIPs’ are $199, general public $49, and 16–25-year-olds are free.
The event is on Wednesday, April 16, at 6pm at the Deakin Reserve, going all night until 6am the following morning. Tickets are available online for both CEOs/ VIPs and the general public at https://www.trybooking.com/CXZLN.
This event is fully supervised and is a drug, alcohol, smoke and vape free event.
“That’s what I like about the sleepover, this money is staying here. It’s staying with our kids and our people in our community. And that’s what I look at before I contribute to something, is it going to stay here” said Jac McCarty.
