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Jump up on a couch, and combat youth homelessness

16 May 2012
Jump up on a couch, and combat youth homelessness

Joe and Phoenix from The Scots College, and Ally at the launch of The Couch Project.

Remember when you were a kid and told not to jump on the couch? Well now is your chance to get all those childhood frustrations out of your system.  It’s time to jump up and down, on a couch if you must, to raise awareness that thousands of young people in our country are sleeping on a couch… and it’s not even theirs.

About a month ago The Salvation Army Oasis Youth Support Network launched The Couch Project, the first of what will hopefully become an annual event. On Friday 8th of June, Oasis is urging thousands of young people everywhere to sleep on a couch to raise money for programs to help eliminate youth homelessness.

Overwhelmed with the response so far, the Oasis Communications and Fundraising Manager, Rachel Banks says with excitement: ”We’ve already raised $7000!”  Her team has been working hard to encourage schools, groups and individuals to sign up and start raising valuable funds. It’s as easy as logging on to thecouchproject.com.au and following the prompts to register.With just four weeks to go until The Couch Project takes place, and encouraged by the amount already raised, Rachel says: “We’d like to get to $20000, we think that’s something we can potentially accomplish.”

While raising money for this cause is vital, the reason behind the campaign is to raise awareness about the issue of couch-surfing. Rachel says:“One of the really beautiful things to happen so far is receiving a referral from a young person who heard about The Couch Project and wanted to help their friend who had beencouch-surfing for some time.”She says it’s great that young people are accessing the service as a result of The Couch Project.“Ultimately that’s going to be better than any dollar figure raised.”

So the word is out there, The Couch Project is happening Friday 8th June. What can you do to help? 

  • Spread the word…on facebook or on twitter
  • Visit The Couch Project website and check out the resource page for ideas
  • Register to raise some money any way you can
  • Host a morning tea or a sausage sizzle
  • Organise a competition to raise money
  • Ask friends to sponsor you to sleep… on a couch
  • Or find out who you can sponsor to couch surf for a night

So come on, jump up on The Couch Project today so our young people don’t have to sleep on it tomorrow.

Report by Major Carolyn Harmer

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The Salvation Army acknowledges the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures; and to elders both past and present.

The Salvation Army is committed to ensuring the provision of safe and inclusive environments for children, young people and vulnerable people where they feel respected, safe, valued and encouraged to reach their full potential. The Salvation Army is a child safe organisation.