Everyday presents an opportunity to have a positive impact on the lives of young people who want nothing more than to feel important, cared for and acknowledged. Small gestures of compassion can have ripple effects that last for years, just as major government reforms can stir huge waves that are felt for just as long, but not always for the better.
The decisions we make every day have an impact, even if we are not completely aware what that it is. A small donation can be the thing that changes someone's life, just as much as a large one can. Nothing is ever wasted and no one is ever taken for granted.
The focus for this months newsletter is about recognising when and how you can make a difference and knowing that everything and everyone helps to shape and change the lives of these young people for the better.
You can join us at the ball, spend a night cooking dinner for the young people in crisis, or just learn more about what it means to be homeless. Nothing is wasted. Nothing is forgotten.
God Bless
Captain Darren Kingston
SAVE THE DATE: 23RD ANNUAL OASIS BALL
That's right! This year marks the 23rd Annual Oasis Ball and we would love to have you join us for 'A Night in Little Italy'; celebrating the work of Oasis and raising much needed funds for the programs and services that support disadvantaged and homeless young people in Sydney.
We are thankful to the City of Sydney who have once again donated the beautiful and iconic Sydney Town Hall as our venue for the 23rd Annual Oasis Ball.
Please mark the 28th August 2015 in your diaries and stay tuned for the official invites and more exciting announcements in the coming months.
To register for your official invite please click here
COST OF YOUTH HOMELESSNESS IN AUSTRALIA
A number of key Australian institutions, government agencies and service providers within the homelessness sector have contributed to a new study on The Cost of Youth Homelessness in Australia Report.
This report provides insight and understanding into youth homelessness, it’s prevalence and the associated impacts on both the individual and society. We encourage all our supporters to download it and read through it.
We are very much looking forward the the release of the next set of findings on the economic impacts of homelessness on the community.
VOLUNTEER WITH OASIS
We are always on the look out for volunteers at Oasis Youth Support Network. There are a number of ways you can get involved with our programs and services and work along side the young people who access our service. Below you will find a list of our regular volunteer opportunities that we are currently recruiting for. For more information on these and how to get involved, email contact Nicole or check out our website.
MONDAY LUNCH PROGRAM
DAY: Every Monday TIME: 10:30AM - 1PM VOLUNTEERS: 1 - 4 people FOOD: Cooking for 20 - 30 people
CRISIS ACCOMM DINNER
DAY: Sunday - Thursday TIME: 4PM - 7PM VOLUNTEERS: 1 - 4 people FOOD: Cooking for 15 people
BBQ BREAKFAST
DAY: Every Thursday TIME: 8:30AM - 10am VOLUNTEERS: 1 - 4 people FOOD: Cooking for 10 - 20 people
DRIVING PROGRAM
DAY: Sunday - Saturday TIME: Available from 5AM - 11PM VOLUNTEERS: up to 20 people CAR: Supplied by Oasis
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT: EXERCISE YOUR MOOD
Oasis takes a holistic approach to working with young people. Our aim: to break the cycle of youth homelessness.
Taking into consideration the prevalence of mental health disorders within the homeless population and large bodies of evidence showing a positive correlation between increased fitness and mood, we feel it is important to invest in programs that not only take care of young people's physical and safety needs, but that also care for and foster positive mental health.
Our therapeutics team is constantly looking for ways to engage young people in activities that help strengthen their mental health. At the beginning of the year, the team rolled out Exercise Your Mood. Put simply, it is a walking group. The idea is that young people are given the opportunity to get outside and participate in some light physical activity.
The aim of Exercise Your Mood is to provide an opportunity for young people to build a connection with both staff and other young people; helping to create a strong sense social inclusion through light exercise.
Allie*, 19, has been staying at Oasis for the past month. She has taken part in the Exercise Your Mood program each week. She said, "when I arrived here, I didn't know anyone and I was pretty nervous. I honestly went on the first walk as, you know, just something to do. But it was really fun. I got to know some of the other guys who come to Oasis and the workers as well. It made me feel so much more confident and not as bad about everything going on at the moment. I feel like going for the walk each week gives me a chance to do something positive".
