Cranbrook Sleepout

On Sunday 18 May, 80 Cranbrook students and staff took part in the inaugural Youth Off The Streets Sleepout. The event aimed to raise awareness of youth homelessness and support vulnerable young Australians through fundraising and education.

Despite the rain forcing the group to relocate from the Oval to the VCH, the experience remained challenging and impactful. Students went without dinner and spent the night sleeping rough followed by a full day of school. The physical and mental fatigue the next morning gave students a powerful glimpse into the daily struggles faced by thousands of homeless youth.

Throughout the night, students engaged in reflective activities, including a collaborative “shock wall” of statistics, and heard from Peta and Gary, representatives from Youth Off The Streets. Their powerful talk sparked meaningful conversations about the causes of homelessness and how young people can help.

So far, the Sleepout has raised over to $3,500 for Youth Off The Streets through a fundraising page and BBQ efforts. More importantly, it planted seeds of empathy and reminded students that real privilege isn’t material but it’s the comfort, security, and support systems many of us take for granted.

Thank you to everyone who participated, supported, and donated. If you’d still like to contribute, please visit our fundraising page here.