It was a cold winter's evening in the city of
Perth and people from all over had gathered at a local
Baptist School in one of its rural suburbs. As the sun was
setting with a slurry of rain pouring outside, the people
inside enjoyed their quiet conversations, displays of artistic works
and small activities. Outside, under a covered walk way, were
performers, bands and speakers all representing different organisations. The
opportunity was open to raise awareness, to network those that would like
to eradicate homelessness in their local region, and to raise finances to
be able to serve the needs in their area. To do the latter, individuals
opted to join in on a nation-wide campaign to #sleepinyourcar
and experience what life was like for a person who only had a car for
a bed and shelter. There were a good 20-30 cars in the lot, waiting when we
left, to be slept in; each sponsored by their friends, families, and
communities.
During the night we learned that there were numerous advocacy groups, shelters and recovery centers all over the region. It was rather eye-opening to see all of these different groups networking and serving in an area of need. Street chaplains, shelter volunteers, mentors from rehabilitation centers, and local advocacy leaders. My personal favorite, was a really cool (and previously homeless) guy, who trained people to learn and to focus on employment; to be dog-walkers and trainers as a way to become empowered again, to regain momentum, and to be employed longer term. Some of the dogs being walked were from local shelters. Those dogs in particular became trained to help veterans, and the disabled. Cool idea!
Fusion Australia is ‘a non-profit Christian Youth and Community organization with a deep and ongoing commitment to developing resilience in individual lives and the community through local initiatives’.
This includes, but is not exclusive to, homeless youth which in Australia makes up 42% of the homeless population.** They did a wonderful job in bringing the community and many other organizations together for one night.
Though the event was hosted by Fusion, YWAMers also played a very active role. We had a band ministry (Musicians for Missions) contribute, bringing and operating the sound board and equipment, sharing a few songs and contributing to the story sharing times.
During the night we learned that there were numerous advocacy groups, shelters and recovery centers all over the region. It was rather eye-opening to see all of these different groups networking and serving in an area of need. Street chaplains, shelter volunteers, mentors from rehabilitation centers, and local advocacy leaders. My personal favorite, was a really cool (and previously homeless) guy, who trained people to learn and to focus on employment; to be dog-walkers and trainers as a way to become empowered again, to regain momentum, and to be employed longer term. Some of the dogs being walked were from local shelters. Those dogs in particular became trained to help veterans, and the disabled. Cool idea!
Fusion Australia is ‘a non-profit Christian Youth and Community organization with a deep and ongoing commitment to developing resilience in individual lives and the community through local initiatives’.
This includes, but is not exclusive to, homeless youth which in Australia makes up 42% of the homeless population.** They did a wonderful job in bringing the community and many other organizations together for one night.
Though the event was hosted by Fusion, YWAMers also played a very active role. We had a band ministry (Musicians for Missions) contribute, bringing and operating the sound board and equipment, sharing a few songs and contributing to the story sharing times.
We had Art Refuge, another ministry in YWAM that had worked for several years with the homeless and displaced people of Perth, come and share some insights through art that had been created from those very people. People that had been homeless, and even some from those that had served to those people being homeless. Many of the pieces were declarative of 'family', 'home', and the 'journey' it takes to get out of a seasons displacement or homelessness. The ministry also put out an activity table where others could draw out their thoughts, or write declarative statements over homelessness.
Another ministry from YWAM, supporting Fusion with their presence, was the Resting Place, a pioneering ministry establishing supportive family homes for young women between the ages of 14-18 (those homeless, or at risk of being homeless). What a great event for them to make connections, and build bridges in the city.
YWAMers, from the ministries of Priceless and Nexwave set up, and served a sausage sizzle. Priceless is a ministry who serves in prevention, advocacy, reseach, networking, and restoration in the area of modern day slavery. Nextwave is a ministry that mentors and invests in youth through high school seminars, camps, mission trips, work experience, and trainings
Interwoven between speakers from different organisations, were also some YWAMers who shared testimonies and encouragement.
Among all the speakers, there were numerous individuals who shared their stories of what it had been like for them to live through homelessness. After the our time was done; a major reflection, was hearing the those testimonies, including what circumstances got them there – sharing about how they got help, recovered, and found hope with the support of the community around them, including ministries and organizations like these.
** Info gathered by 2012 Census sited here -http://www.homelessnessaustralia.org.au/index.php/about-homelessness/homeless-statistics
"Fusion Perth's Sleep in Your Car 2016 - a night of live music, speakers, art, activities and discussion all centred around the topic of homelessness and aimed at bringing people together to share stories and learn from each other. Followed by a sleep-out to raise funds for Fusion's ongoing work with young people experiencing homelessness in Perth!" - Fusion Perth, Australia
From Fusion Perths' Facebook page:
"Thanks to everyone who came along to 'Sleep in Your Car' on Saturday night - musos, artists, poets, sleepers, speakers, volunteers and visitors. We raised almost $500 to add to our online total of $3,400 - and just look what we've achieved nation-wide! Keep those donations coming#SleepInYourCar2016"
Important links:
What is "Sleep in Your Car" all about?
What is it like to feel homeless?
For a winter night in Australia, experience it ...at a 'sleep in your car event'.
For a winter night in Australia, experience it ...at a 'sleep in your car event'.
http://www.sleepinyourcar.com.au/
Statistics
Summerized - http://www.sleepinyourcar.com.au/more-on-homelessness/
Full report on Youth Homelessness - http://apo.org.au/resource/home-and-away-child-and-youth-homelessness-report
QUICK VIDEO / ABC NEWS FACT CHECK: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-10/fact-file:-an-interactive-snapshot-of-australia's/7156044
More info about:
Fusion, Western Australia
http://www.fusion.org.au/wa/index.php?p=perth
