From the Justice and Mercy (JAM) Team

Service with a smile: Recognising National Homelessness Week 2024

This year’s National Homelessness Week was a chance for SAC students to learn about the causes and impacts of homelessness, and support those experiencing it. On Friday 9 August, many students across different year levels rose bright and early to participate in The Hutt St Centre’s community fundraising event, ‘Walk A Mile in My Boots’. It was a particularly chilly and frosty morning, but nothing could dampen the enthusiasm of the large gathering of walkers who traipsed the one-mile distance between Victoria Park and the South Parklands. A special congratulations goes to the Mangos sisters – Mariana 6GB, Charisse 3SC and Angelique RCM, who collectively raised over $5,000! Last year, Mariana raised well over $4,000 for The Hutt St Centre in 2023, so the family has now generated close to $10,000 for this wonderful local cause.

Another equally significant event at which SAC was well-represented was Homelessness SA’s memorial service, paying respect to people who have died while experiencing homelessness in South Australia. Held in Tarntanyangga/Victoria Square during lunchtime, students and members of the community were invited to plant a pinwheel in the lawn, symbolising a person’s precious life. They also blew bubbles as a visual symbol of their commitment to improving outcomes for those experiencing homelessness, and their hope for a better future. Students then met with members of local organisations, such as Fred’s Van and The Hutt Street Centre, to discuss actions that they were taking to improve outcomes for those experiencing homelessness.

Concluding this important week was the annual Year 12 Winter Sleepout. A large number of Senior students braved a cold night, sleeping outside in the SAC grounds with only a piece of cardboard to pad the ground. This immersion encourages Year 12s to deepen their insights into homelessness and correlating social issues, learn from local organisations and enhance their own perspectives. We welcomed Teresa Branch, Manager of Fred’s Van and the Vinnies Women’s Crisis Centre, who shared information about her work and the people she encounters daily who are in need of support. Service is an important component of the Winter Sleepout, and this cohort gave their service with a smile! In addition to announcing a donation on behalf of the College of $500 to Vinnies Women’s Crisis Centre, the students cooked a nutritious meal of vegetable soup for the Men’s Crisis Centre and delivered goods to Catherine House. This year’s cohort demonstrated courage in sharing their own reflections during group discussions, and powerful observations as they appropriately engaged with all the activities.