Backpack Beds for the Homeless
Donation protected
The issue of the homeless….for me, it’s now personal!
You can help me purchase Homeless Beds and deliver them , or you can sponsor me in the CEO Vinnies Sleepout
I have been guilty in the past of being in a hurry walking past those homeless on the streets, and in the Sydney CBD, I probably do it numerous times a day. We all have at one time or another. It’s not that we don’t care, but we all get caught up in our own lives, and really, what can we do?
It is only in the last couple of years that I was exposed to the real side of Australia’s homeless problem.
One day I did stop! It was 26 June 2013. I am a big animal lover and an advocate of many pet rescue organisations. A post flashed up on my computer from a rescue organisation appealing for help to find the dog of a homeless man in the Sydney CBD called “John”. I opened the story and immediately recognised John. I had seen him and his dog Carrie in Pitt Street Mall many a time. The story was that some young boys had walked past John and started kicking Carrie, who ran up George Street in fear. The story went on to tell of the long association of John and Carrie, but what caught my attention was that John could not find a bed in a shelter or any other form of accommodation, because they do not allow Carrie.
John had been searching for some days and had made up signs, but Carrie was nowhere to be found. I figured there was only two likely options, either Carrie had been run over on the roads or someone had found her. I offered a reward, and as it turned out, Cassie was returned the next day.
I introduced myself to John the following day and that afternoon rang three homeless organisation asking how it was in this day and age, we could not somehow accommodate a homeless man and his little dog. I was shocked at the response from all three being, basically “it’s easy, put the dog down”. One young man came off second best when he went on the say it was only a “…… dog”. I tried, to no avail, to suggest that to me, and many people, pets are family. In Johns case, it is well and truly his family and whilst I do not like seeing the dog living on the streets either, this dog is fed, well cared for and certainly loved.
I went on to research the issue and it was well documented that numerous people in the Sydney CBD chose to stay on the streets at night because they have a pet that cannot be accommodated for. I read a story of a young teenage girl who was sexually abused by a family member and ran away from home. Her only companion was an Alsatian, who had also tried to alert other family members to her abuse. I can fully understand how she would never part with the one family member, albeit with four legs, who was trying to protect her.
Even today I find it frustrating that we cannot accommodate more of our homeless and surely we could accommodate their pets somehow. I tried to argue the case with one charity that if I could provide the animal cages and volunteers to assist feed and water the animals of a night, surely we could provide some space somewhere. (I do appreciate that there is a massive difference between housing John’s little fox terrier Carrie, an Alsatian or pit bull, or even a cat). It was a frustrating and fruitless discussion, and frankly I did not know where else to turn.
I then tried to investigate finding some form of shelter for John and Carrie myself. I can tell you from experience you don’t know where to start. There was one facility at Camperdown that provided a room that allowed pets, but the waiting list was beyond probably my life span. It was a frustrating and vain attempt. Then I tried searching for, say a garage that could be rented out and accommodate a mattress/bed, but more importantly, was out of the cold and elements, again to no avail.
I try to see John and Carrie weekly, and often sit in Pitt Street for a chat. Whilst most people are just doing their own thing, I have also been amazed, saddened and at times angry at the abuse people have given John and frequently me for talking to him. How me sitting with him effects total strangers or what their issue is I do not know, but you would be surprised how often it happens. I recall one day where a well dressed man in a suit felt the need to abuse me so badly and with language so poor that a crowd formed to see what was happening. I can unequivocally say I felt more comfortable sitting on the streets with John than I did anywhere near this well dressed image of a business man. Yet the public perception of who was safer on first view would be very different.
Similarly, in the past I have given John jackets and clothing for him and Carrie, but then a week or so later, he will be cold because as he put it “ young people bash him at times and steal his stuff “. More recently I have noticed nasty growths on John’s hands, which need medical attention. When I asked him did he have a Medicare card, he tells me that it was stolen too
It is often said to me that I should not give John money, however, I do not know any other way to help. I have taken meals for him and Carrie only to walk the streets and not be able to find them, it’s not like he has a phone and I can call him !. We frequently tend to assume those homeless, such as John, have drinking and / or mental problems, however, is this the cause of their homeless or a consequence of it? I am still trying to understand how John found himself in this position (I am aware that he use to work building Olympic swimming pools in the Newcastle region) and in fact a couple of Saturdays ago, I asked Johns permission to come back and interview him for this article, however, in the last two weeks I have been unable to find him. It’s a strange feeling walking around Sydney and looking literally looking for a man on the streets, and I am amazed at the increasing number of homeless in our beautiful city. I guess the time will come one day when he will not be there again, and there will be no one to tell me. Similarly, should anything happen to John I would ensure I took Carrie for the remainder of her life, but again, there is not one I can ask or tell! I will look for John over the coming weeks and hopefully interview him, however, I can say unequivocally that meeting him and Carrie has enriched my life and awareness, albeit also increased my frustration on how to help.
Another long story but in summary, a trip to do Mandatory Training in regional Orange in 2014 resulted in me seeing first-hand children and teenagers living on the streets and in the underground pipelines, where winters can be bitterly cold. I had no idea the problem was so chronic. I was to learn that the issue extends beyond those who sleep on the street or makeshift dwellings, but extends to the many who are in refugee or crisis accommodation. There are large numbers of teenagers who couch surf or stay with various friends or live in cars. A young lady I became involved with was only 12 when she found herself living in a park. I walked around Orange with her and met many of her friends who were also homeless. I was shown areas under buildings that were good refuges when it was raining heavy and I recall the back door of an old pub, which it seems can be opened easily, that allows access to a small, albeit mostly cold, shower. I was to find out that offering this young girl a home was not a simple an answer as it seems, despite a year of trying.
Trying to assist the general area issue of homeless in the Orange region was also frustrating. A call to the CEO of the Orange Ex Services Club was met with a resounding ‘anything we can do to help’, however, despite jointly meeting with a local homeless organisation and personally chasing them up on numerous occasions, and offering assistance in the way of lodgings, food and funding, the organisation chose to neither take up the offer or return calls. I was increasing at a loss as to why the organisation did not accept this generous offer from the club with open arms, but will always take heart in the immediate assistance and support that was offered by this great Club to both the young lady I became involved with personally and the general issue of homeless in the Orange region. I will be ever grateful for their efforts which went above and beyond anything I would have imagined.
As I became more involved with this issue, it is amazing to me that a third of those homeless in Australia are under 17.I was shocked to learn more than 105,000 Australians find themselves experiencing homelessness on any given night of the year. Australia is labelled the 'Lucky County' yet so many people are experiencing extreme poverty. The face of homelessness is changing and now sadly encompasses an increasing number of women, families and children.
44% of those experiencing homelessness are women, and over 17,000 children under the age of 12 do not have a stable place to call home in Australia
Homelessness exists on our own door step and sadly it is on the rise.
I have risen to the challenge and will be sleeping rough at the Vinnies CEO Sleepout in Wollongong on 23rd June this year to raise vital awareness about the issue of homelessness and much needed funds, which go directly to Vinnies to support homeless services throughout Australia. I will be joining 7 of the Illawarra regions registered Club CEO’s and Directors.
You can support me in one of 2 ways:
1. Any and all funds raised by this site will go towards buying Homeless water proof and insulated beds which myself, my son and a young Year 11 student will personally hand deliver to those homeless in Sydney, incl and especially John. We will report how many beds we were able to purchase and provide receipts and will take photos of our friends reaction to your gift. I , like many , like to make sure I see exactly how my donations are making a difference
2. You can sponsor me following the link below and every dollars does to the fantastic Vinnies group in their quest to help the homeless
Please visit ceosleepout.org.au to find out more, search for Debbie Organ and make a donation or follow the link below
https://www.ceosleepout.org.au/ceos/nsw-ceos/debbie-organ-integrity-corporate-finance-group/
It only takes a moment to help write a new chapter in the story of homelessness and ultimately break the cycle. I will follow this article up with the interview with John when ( and hopefully) I see him next, but in the meantime,i t would be fantastic if you could sponsor me in either way that you see fit . Every dollar helps
Thank you for your support
Debbie
You can help me purchase Homeless Beds and deliver them , or you can sponsor me in the CEO Vinnies Sleepout
I have been guilty in the past of being in a hurry walking past those homeless on the streets, and in the Sydney CBD, I probably do it numerous times a day. We all have at one time or another. It’s not that we don’t care, but we all get caught up in our own lives, and really, what can we do?
It is only in the last couple of years that I was exposed to the real side of Australia’s homeless problem.
One day I did stop! It was 26 June 2013. I am a big animal lover and an advocate of many pet rescue organisations. A post flashed up on my computer from a rescue organisation appealing for help to find the dog of a homeless man in the Sydney CBD called “John”. I opened the story and immediately recognised John. I had seen him and his dog Carrie in Pitt Street Mall many a time. The story was that some young boys had walked past John and started kicking Carrie, who ran up George Street in fear. The story went on to tell of the long association of John and Carrie, but what caught my attention was that John could not find a bed in a shelter or any other form of accommodation, because they do not allow Carrie.
John had been searching for some days and had made up signs, but Carrie was nowhere to be found. I figured there was only two likely options, either Carrie had been run over on the roads or someone had found her. I offered a reward, and as it turned out, Cassie was returned the next day.
I introduced myself to John the following day and that afternoon rang three homeless organisation asking how it was in this day and age, we could not somehow accommodate a homeless man and his little dog. I was shocked at the response from all three being, basically “it’s easy, put the dog down”. One young man came off second best when he went on the say it was only a “…… dog”. I tried, to no avail, to suggest that to me, and many people, pets are family. In Johns case, it is well and truly his family and whilst I do not like seeing the dog living on the streets either, this dog is fed, well cared for and certainly loved.
I went on to research the issue and it was well documented that numerous people in the Sydney CBD chose to stay on the streets at night because they have a pet that cannot be accommodated for. I read a story of a young teenage girl who was sexually abused by a family member and ran away from home. Her only companion was an Alsatian, who had also tried to alert other family members to her abuse. I can fully understand how she would never part with the one family member, albeit with four legs, who was trying to protect her.
Even today I find it frustrating that we cannot accommodate more of our homeless and surely we could accommodate their pets somehow. I tried to argue the case with one charity that if I could provide the animal cages and volunteers to assist feed and water the animals of a night, surely we could provide some space somewhere. (I do appreciate that there is a massive difference between housing John’s little fox terrier Carrie, an Alsatian or pit bull, or even a cat). It was a frustrating and fruitless discussion, and frankly I did not know where else to turn.
I then tried to investigate finding some form of shelter for John and Carrie myself. I can tell you from experience you don’t know where to start. There was one facility at Camperdown that provided a room that allowed pets, but the waiting list was beyond probably my life span. It was a frustrating and vain attempt. Then I tried searching for, say a garage that could be rented out and accommodate a mattress/bed, but more importantly, was out of the cold and elements, again to no avail.
I try to see John and Carrie weekly, and often sit in Pitt Street for a chat. Whilst most people are just doing their own thing, I have also been amazed, saddened and at times angry at the abuse people have given John and frequently me for talking to him. How me sitting with him effects total strangers or what their issue is I do not know, but you would be surprised how often it happens. I recall one day where a well dressed man in a suit felt the need to abuse me so badly and with language so poor that a crowd formed to see what was happening. I can unequivocally say I felt more comfortable sitting on the streets with John than I did anywhere near this well dressed image of a business man. Yet the public perception of who was safer on first view would be very different.
Similarly, in the past I have given John jackets and clothing for him and Carrie, but then a week or so later, he will be cold because as he put it “ young people bash him at times and steal his stuff “. More recently I have noticed nasty growths on John’s hands, which need medical attention. When I asked him did he have a Medicare card, he tells me that it was stolen too
It is often said to me that I should not give John money, however, I do not know any other way to help. I have taken meals for him and Carrie only to walk the streets and not be able to find them, it’s not like he has a phone and I can call him !. We frequently tend to assume those homeless, such as John, have drinking and / or mental problems, however, is this the cause of their homeless or a consequence of it? I am still trying to understand how John found himself in this position (I am aware that he use to work building Olympic swimming pools in the Newcastle region) and in fact a couple of Saturdays ago, I asked Johns permission to come back and interview him for this article, however, in the last two weeks I have been unable to find him. It’s a strange feeling walking around Sydney and looking literally looking for a man on the streets, and I am amazed at the increasing number of homeless in our beautiful city. I guess the time will come one day when he will not be there again, and there will be no one to tell me. Similarly, should anything happen to John I would ensure I took Carrie for the remainder of her life, but again, there is not one I can ask or tell! I will look for John over the coming weeks and hopefully interview him, however, I can say unequivocally that meeting him and Carrie has enriched my life and awareness, albeit also increased my frustration on how to help.
Another long story but in summary, a trip to do Mandatory Training in regional Orange in 2014 resulted in me seeing first-hand children and teenagers living on the streets and in the underground pipelines, where winters can be bitterly cold. I had no idea the problem was so chronic. I was to learn that the issue extends beyond those who sleep on the street or makeshift dwellings, but extends to the many who are in refugee or crisis accommodation. There are large numbers of teenagers who couch surf or stay with various friends or live in cars. A young lady I became involved with was only 12 when she found herself living in a park. I walked around Orange with her and met many of her friends who were also homeless. I was shown areas under buildings that were good refuges when it was raining heavy and I recall the back door of an old pub, which it seems can be opened easily, that allows access to a small, albeit mostly cold, shower. I was to find out that offering this young girl a home was not a simple an answer as it seems, despite a year of trying.
Trying to assist the general area issue of homeless in the Orange region was also frustrating. A call to the CEO of the Orange Ex Services Club was met with a resounding ‘anything we can do to help’, however, despite jointly meeting with a local homeless organisation and personally chasing them up on numerous occasions, and offering assistance in the way of lodgings, food and funding, the organisation chose to neither take up the offer or return calls. I was increasing at a loss as to why the organisation did not accept this generous offer from the club with open arms, but will always take heart in the immediate assistance and support that was offered by this great Club to both the young lady I became involved with personally and the general issue of homeless in the Orange region. I will be ever grateful for their efforts which went above and beyond anything I would have imagined.
As I became more involved with this issue, it is amazing to me that a third of those homeless in Australia are under 17.I was shocked to learn more than 105,000 Australians find themselves experiencing homelessness on any given night of the year. Australia is labelled the 'Lucky County' yet so many people are experiencing extreme poverty. The face of homelessness is changing and now sadly encompasses an increasing number of women, families and children.
44% of those experiencing homelessness are women, and over 17,000 children under the age of 12 do not have a stable place to call home in Australia
Homelessness exists on our own door step and sadly it is on the rise.
I have risen to the challenge and will be sleeping rough at the Vinnies CEO Sleepout in Wollongong on 23rd June this year to raise vital awareness about the issue of homelessness and much needed funds, which go directly to Vinnies to support homeless services throughout Australia. I will be joining 7 of the Illawarra regions registered Club CEO’s and Directors.
You can support me in one of 2 ways:
1. Any and all funds raised by this site will go towards buying Homeless water proof and insulated beds which myself, my son and a young Year 11 student will personally hand deliver to those homeless in Sydney, incl and especially John. We will report how many beds we were able to purchase and provide receipts and will take photos of our friends reaction to your gift. I , like many , like to make sure I see exactly how my donations are making a difference
2. You can sponsor me following the link below and every dollars does to the fantastic Vinnies group in their quest to help the homeless
Please visit ceosleepout.org.au to find out more, search for Debbie Organ and make a donation or follow the link below
https://www.ceosleepout.org.au/ceos/nsw-ceos/debbie-organ-integrity-corporate-finance-group/
It only takes a moment to help write a new chapter in the story of homelessness and ultimately break the cycle. I will follow this article up with the interview with John when ( and hopefully) I see him next, but in the meantime,i t would be fantastic if you could sponsor me in either way that you see fit . Every dollar helps
Thank you for your support
Debbie
Organizer
Debbie Organ
Organizer
Haymarket, NSW