In a powerful act of solidarity, The Outpost Chair along with another board member, will spend an entire week living on the streets in Geelong this November to raise awareness about homelessness and the challenges faced by those without stable housing.

Leaving home with nothing but the clothes on their backs, Amy and Maggie will walk in the shoes of others, traveling to Geelong’s city centre and surrounds, experiencing firsthand the struggles of finding food relief, shelter, services, and other necessities to survive the ‘Week on the Streets’.

During their ‘Week on the Streets’, they will interact with the Geelong community, asking for assistance with locating resources like meal services, blankets, and other essential supplies, and explore the regions support services to gain insight into the day-to-day realities of those living on the streets and explore gaps in the system.

This initiative is designed to:

• Spotlight the unfiltered reality of homelessness to the broader community with an aim to raise awareness, respect, and appreciation for others

• Feature the genuine stories behind the faces on the streets in knowing that homelessness does not discriminate

• Deepen understanding for The Outpost as an organisation, and in turn, benefit those they serve 365 days per year

• Share insights gained from the week living on the streets with the region's community service providers so together they can make a targeted and informed difference.

The Outpost hopes this week-long experience will shine a light on the challenges faced by vulnerable community members, encouraging local support and awareness around accessible services for those experiencing homelessness, and how to access a hand-up when it's needed most.

The Outpost is committed to supporting individuals facing homelessness and food insecurity in the Geelong region. Through community action and compassionate outreach, The Outpost, along with the community, aims to create a safer, more inclusive environment for all.

This initiative is supported by The Outpost’s Lived Experience Advisory Forum (LEAF), a Sub-Committee of guests who attend the Outpost, who advise the Board on key initiatives and needs.