“Every young person deserves a safe place to call home, yet thousands of young Victorians are facing homelessness every night.” Said Vicki Sutton, CEO, MCM. “Sleep at the ’G is a powerful reminder that together, we can make a difference.”
On any given night, over 7,600 young Victorians aged 12-24 are without a safe place to call home. Many young people resort to couch surfing, sleeping in cars, or staying in crowded and unsafe housing. The 2024 MCM census of 177 children and young people aged 15-24 who were homeless revealed the following:
o 4 in 5 young people grew up experiencing family violence. Of those young people, 54% were known to child protection.
o Youth homelessness is not a choice. Youth homelessness is a result of disadvantage leading to a crisis – like family violence, abuse and mental health.
o 2 in 3 young people had been experiencing homelessness for at least 2 years with couch surfing the most common form of homelessness experienced by young people.
o 45% attended an emergency department for mental health concerns with a staggering 64% of those young people discharged from hospital into homelessness.
o 55% of all young people recorded had reported self-harm, suicidal ideation or attempts to take their own life.
With youth and adult homelessness closely linked, MCM is working towards intervention by helping young people avoid homelessness for life. Sleep at the ‘G provides a fundraising one-night sleepover at the MCG and raises essential funds to provide stable housing and wraparound support. This in turn enables young people to build independence, reconnect with education and employment, and break the cycle of homelessness for good.
“By coming together as a community,” Vicki Sutton, CEO, MCM said, “we can raise the vital funds needed to provide housing, support, and hope for a brighter future. The time to act is now—because no young person should have to navigate homelessness alone.”
The YHI supports young people experiencing homelessness and other complex needs as they transition to independent living. It is known that many of these young people require significant support to maintain housing. To work to fill the gaps YHI is designed to support young people experiencing homelessness through this transition period. The initiative provides three interchangeable levels of housing and support for up to four years helping young people as they move towards autonomy.
“The annual Sleep at the G is so important in raising funds for these services” said Sam Barrett, Youth Housing Initiative Manager. “We now have properties at Werribee and Point Cook and can provide housing for our most vulnerable homeless youth”.
This year the night will be hosted by Briohny Dawson with activities held over a two-hour period for one big sleepover at Melbourne’s most celebrated sporting and entertainment venues. Fun activities include mini golf, a Leggo building station and photobooth. Music includes DJ Shimmy Barnes, Tanya George – Melbourne Based Vocal Looper, Phil and Robbo (Phil Ceberano and Russell “Robbo” Robertson), Not My Circus, Ganga Giri and Happy Melon. Two AUSLAN signers will also be on hand to ensure everyone gets the most out of the experience. A highlight of the night will be the fireside chats with SATG Lived Experience participants sharing their compelling stories. Sleepers will receive a hot breakfast in the morning before going off to share their stories of the night.
Briohny Dawson is known for her media connection to the AFLW through the AFL Grand Final Preview Show on Channel 31 and as the on-ground host of the 2021 AFL Women’s Grand Final. They also have a strong connection to the queer community having hosted the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. Their connection to the MCG and at-risk communities makes them the perfect host for the night along with her skills as a vocalist.
“By coming together as a community,” Vicki Sutton, CEO, MCM said, “we can raise the vital funds needed to provide housing, support, and hope for a brighter future. The time to act is now—because no young person should have to navigate homelessness alone.”
MCM is a leading community support organisation that for over 165 years has been delivering programs and fundraising to create inclusive, fair and just communities across Victoria. The organisation provides a broad range of support in: Homelessness, Early Years, Disability, Early Childhood Intervention Services, Education, Palliative Care and Mental Health service areas. Sleep at the G is one of the organisation’s major fundraising initiatives and will be held on May 15 at the MCG in Melbourne.
For more information visit SleepAtTheG.com.au.
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