"Homelessness a fundamental symptom of poverty"

I like many people use to think that homeless kids leave home of their own choice. But in April this year during National Youth week, I watched a documentary on ABC called “The Oasis,” it showed me most children leave home because they have no real choice.
It was a documentary I couldn't’t shake, it left me saddened, scared, asking why and somewhat sick that in one of the most prosperous countries in the world, on any given night 22,000 children aged between 12-21 are homeless.

“The Oasis” painted a heartbreaking picture of children and young people who are the fall-out of three decades of social and economic change, of families not up to the task of child-rearing because of poverty, mental illness, violence, substance abuse, divorce and neglect; of warring blended families and families at breaking point because of angry, rebellious adolescents.
These problems were exacerbated due to young people unable to earn enough income to access a reasonable level of housing, unacceptably high rates of youth unemployment, discrimination in the housing sector and their low level of power within society.

These children sleep in cars, shelters & abandoned buildings. Many suffering serious illness, malnutrition, inadequate sleep, exposure, violent injury, substance abuse, have lack of hygiene facilities, are being sexual exploited and a deadly combination of all of the above.
It made it very clear that a large number of Australian children and youth are being denied the fundamental human rights of food, clothing, shelter and safety.
Oasis is the Salvation Army’s response to youth homelessness and disadvantaged, literally saving shattered lives everyday in Sydney.
Oasis gives these young people hope, help & opportunities to access relevant education, training, jobs, counselling & drug/ alcohol programs.

On any given night, they accommodate and feed more than 100 homeless young people, but Oasis cannot begin this work until young people are off the street and in a safe, stable environment. Many face multiple, complex barriers.
Oasis provides street outreach and accommodation (crisis, medium term and transitional), but also offers numerous cutting edge programs including:

*Oasis Education (fully accredited)
*Multimedia (film, radio and computer training)
*outdoor adventure therapy/counselling services
*training/employment assistance
*work in cleaning and gardening/lawn mowing
*handy person/repair experience.

Participants learn work and life skills to help rebuild their lives and develop self esteem, confidence, community engagement and employ ability. Many of these chronically homeless young people (aged 16-22) have suffered physical, sexual, emotional and substance abuse, and have no immediate or extended family support systems. There are significant mental health and learning difficulties.

In recent years, Oasis has launched cutting edge new program initiatives, including Street radio.net, a radio station which is streamed live to air via the internet; a groundbreaking outreach service, Nokia Street Connect, which takes internet technology and support directly to areas of need; and Dream Films - their very own film, editing and production company, which has already done excellent corporate film work.

In the past year, Oasis has:
*made 14,500 client outreach contacts, targeting disadvantaged young people
*accommodated 283 young people in our crisis and transitional programs. About half come from interstate or regional NSW, and 36% are female
*helped 335 young people become work ready, get jobs or take on further education
*provided advice and representation to 526 young people facing a legal issue
*graduated 117 young people from the Choices drug and alcohol program, with many finding work or entering further education
*helped 104 families where there was a risk of a young person becoming homeless.
However, Oasis faces major threats just to maintain existing programs. They face significant challenges in their work, with increasing demand for Oasis services and rising costs.

So how can we help:
Make a Donation
To donate directly to Oasis Youth Support Network Sydney:
Cheque or money order:
Please post your cheque or money order(payable to 'Oasis Youth Support Network, Sydney') to
Fundraising CoordinatorOasis Youth Support NetworkPO Box 600DARLINGHURST NSW 1300

Volunteering:
Volunteers, apart from being a great asset to Oasis, have a great sense of personal satisfaction and fulfilment in the gift of their time.
Whether it be simple volunteering tasks or intensive skilled support, if you or a group want to help out, please contact Oasis on (02) 9331 2266.
For the longer term volunteer, Oasis conducts regular 12 week Introduction to Youth Work training courses (one night a week plus two full weekends). This equips participants with skills in youth homelessness, boundaries, abuse, managing anger/aggression, sexual assault, health and mental issues, experiential learning, grief and loss, alcohol/drug abuse and legal issues