The Property Industry SleepOut was an incredible night of coming together in reflection of what we have to support homeless youth and what they go through.
On the 11th of November, our industry got their sleeping bags, tents, pillows and blankets and took to office spaces, backyards and the outdoors to sleep out in support of homeless youth. The night kicked off with an opening message from the Property Industry Foundation CEO Kate Mills who took the time to explain the work the Property Industry Foundation is doing to bring tangible results to young lives and help build more bedrooms to support youth in need of a solid foundation and the support systems to empower themselves.
With the Foundation having currently built around 100 bedrooms for homeless youth, we intend to keep the strong pace into providing more for those who have less.
The night then crossed to our event MC Cameron Gardiner who’s a Development Manager for MacDonald’s and the newest Co-Chair of the NSW Future leaders Committee. Cam spoke on why we have all dedicated time to sleeping out, creating great context into our unified act to not simulate the rough conditions of how some young people have to sleep at night but as an act of solidarity as we work together to raise funds to make a difference.
Cameron then crossed to Brooke & Tiarna from Platform Youth Services to hear their stories and how through programs like Platform Youth Services and the Property Industry Foundation, they were able to receive the support to focus on their well-beings.
Brooke & Tiarna gave their compelling testimonies on escaping family hardship affecting their mental health and ability focus at school. Having experienced circumstances such as abuse and suicide at a young age, both where able to go into Platform Youth Services and get the support they need to focus on their health and education with great outlooks like university study now on the horizon!
As if our virtual sleepers couldn’t be anymore uplifted after hearing from Brooke & Tiarna, the Kari choir provided a holiday season treat for our sleepers, recording Christmas carols to serenade us into the festive spirit.
Once we were all in a relaxed state, Charlotte Thwaites from the NSW Future leader Committee and the Unispace team logged in from their office pyjama party to test our musical knowledge with a game of musical bingo. The challenge of guessing the songs being played was even greater due to the well-choreographed dance routines going on in the background. Sleepers logged in through the night with their bingo victories.
Once we were all danced out, Cam took time to announce our individual and team fundraising champions.
David Burke from Unispace put in a massive effort to bring in close to $8,000 in donations, winning himself a Hotel Voucher Donated by Little National Hotel and $250 Dinner Voucher at Merivale
Donated by Construction Assignments!
The highest fundraising team went neck and neck between Unispace and Savills each raising over $10,000 in donations! It was Unispace (riding the apparent high off the office pyjama dance party) that brought in the $44 to edge out top sot for highest fundraising team.
But the Unispace team didn’t just want to be the highest fundraisers, they went for best dressed team on the night with a pyjama celebratory can can routine that brought their nights winnings to 6x Free Bowling Passes Donated by Strike, 1x10kg bar of Cadbury Chocolate.
Donated by Rider Levett Bucknall, $250 ClassBento voucher Donated by Taylor and SMEG Microwave Donated by SMEG! A solid win after some fantastic fundraising by the team at large for homeless youth.
All that was left was award the best-dressed individual which proved to be a no contest to Anh Ho from Stantec for her adorable yet comfortable Christmas themed pyjamas. Anh easily won over her strategic choice of neck cushioning in order to comfortably tune into the nights events whilst sitting upright.
The Property Industry Foundation wants to thank all those that fund-raised, donated and provided prizes for the night. Through your amazing support we were able to raise close to $45,000 to go towards house projects likebuild a 4-bedroom house in Granville for young people who will be enrolled in university or TAFE while they live there. Without this kind of support – a stable home with wrap-around support – these young people would simply not have the opportunity to commit to long-term study. This home is a chance for them to break inter-generational poverty and homelessness.
We love being able to spend time with our industry partners and help play a part in changing young lives, so we thank you and look forward to continuing to bring us all closer together in our mission of stopping youth homelessness.
