LESSONS FROM THE CEO SLEEP OUT

I woke up at 3am this morning. It was COLD. The piece of cardboard I was sleeping on was damp from the moisture in the Winter air. As I moved the cardboard roof I had made for me (see the picture above ) I could feel the whoosh of cold air creep in. It wasn’t comfortable and I had a couple of hours left to try and get some more sleep.

For me though, I knew this was temporary. I knew I only had to wait a couple of hours before the other 180 CEOs and Business leaders I was surrounded by would wake from their cardboard box beds and join me down at the coffee and breakfast station. (Thank you to the amazing Rapid Relief Team). I also knew I could go to a clean toilet, put extra warm clothes on, head home to have a shower, hug my family and enjoy the comfort of my warm house before heading to work today.

Sadly, that is NOT the reality for thousands of Queenslanders. Many are sleeping rough. Without the safety of being surrounded by people they know or trust. Without the warmth and good nutrition. Without access to clean hygiene facilities. When we consider we live in the lucky country, how is it that these basic human dignities are not afforded to all of our community? This is the reason why I choose to take part in this year's Vinnies CEO Sleepout . I was honoured to be part of the GOATS team, at the time of print have collectively raised over $500,000 for people in need.

So what did I experience and learn?

• On arrival we were met by the most glorious Vinnies volunteers and team giving us name tags ( great to see all the “1st timers with blue lanyards) and veterans with yellow plus great for connecting and networking plus our blue beanies!
• We slept out at the Brisbane Riverstage and to begin, we were walked through a path that viewed the upcoming 500 homes in 5 years ( launched by Vinnies in 2021)? that are due to be build over the next few years in QLD. DID YOU KNOW THAT THERE ARE MORE THAN 43,000 QLD’ERS ON THE SOCIAL HOUSING WAITING LIST? There is a 2 year + wait to secure a home, as rental costs reach record high across the state this is only increasing.
• We did the “cost of living” experience. We were given a persona ( based on a real Vinnies client and their personal situation, a blank weekly meal planner, a shopping list with real life prices and a Budget ( as seen in the above photo) . It was a confronting exercise when you consider not only food, but other essential items to live, be hygienic and stay healthy. Vinnies shared how they are able to support to give? “A HAND UP” to the people in their housing to have access to items and clothes from their Vinnies stores ( another? reason to donate goods) This is especially helpful when starting out in a home needing crockery, cutlery and kitchen utensils etc as well as getting a wardrobe approach for a job. It was incredible to hear about the crisis hampers they deliver as well as fuel an travel vouchers for those needing to afford travel to work.
• We finished the cost of living and headed to the “pledge” where we were met by young QLD teenagers participating and volunteering in? a Vinnies Leadership Program ( I am curious about how we can support this program at Luminate Leadership in the future!!)? We each write on a small cardboard house our commitments, mine is in the photo above!
• My favourite activity was the “walk a step in their shoes” where we were given the choice of using our own lived experience or a persona of a Vinnies client. Everyone had the same starting point in a single line and question by question we were to move forward , or backwards depending on our lived experiences in life. Questions like, can you afford your rent/mortgage, can you afford private healthcare, can you afford holidays etc . And then the questions to step backwards , have you experienced violence in the home, have you had to flee for safety, do you have language barrier or a visible or invisible disability. At the end of the questions, the group was widely dispersed.? It was confronting and a beautiful reminder about the perspective and reality for so many people as they navigate through life with many hurdles to jump. For those with more privilege, Toby Jenkins said it best when we spoke on the microphone, "For those of us who are considered privileged, we have a responsibility to support others."
• For the next couple of hours we sat and listened to amazing stories, videos, speakers, a panel of advocates sharing why the event is so important. Anthony Ryan , CEO of BEDA spoke about his special story and relationship with Terry and how it changed his perspective and challenged his bias on people who are homeless.

He reminded us to “Take the blinkers off and consider what we need to be better for the people in our community. He also quotes Mother Theresa, “The worst form of poverty is loneliness”. Let's remember to connect with all humans!

• So many of the stories of people needing help were everyday QLD’ers, struck by tragedy, grief, mental illness or victims of violence. People impacted by the housing crisis and increased cost of living. Females over the age of 55+ without financial support. Homelessness could happen to anyone and it all depends on the support around them and the support of the amazing people at Vinnies QLD that will determine if they can find a home and be safe and HAND UP or have to endure sleeping rough.

I left my 1st CEO sleep out with a variety of emotions and thoughts:?

1. We have to do better. This IS a problem that CAN BE SOLVED , We need to get a move on especially before our Olympics. Have you listened to our PODCAST episode on it yet?? You can Listen here?

2. Homelessness impacts generations to come. Many children are impacted, I believe that stats are roughly ? people impacted by homelessness are under 16. We need to break this cycle and create brighter futures for these children and their future generations.

3. I am deeply grateful for the support from our community. Thank you to everyone who helped me personally raise almost $8,000. ?The page is STILL OPEN if you wish to CONTRIBUTE HERE

4. When people come together to make a difference, amazing things happen.The CEOs, business leaders and their communities supporting the amazing work.I loved meeting and speaking to so many phenomenal wholehearted leaders at the event. Leadership and community in the city of Brisbane is in safe hands. To Matt Kratiuk - TACTIC and Kirsty Rourke - SICA , thank you! Along with? the other team advocates have been incredible leaders and have really allowed so man people to shine a focus on this important conversation.

The work Vinnies is doing in our community may not be noticed by everyone but is incredibly powerful and meaningful. They are heroes.?

With gratitude, Cherie xx