Young christians to light up the street
Over 900 Christian young people from 18 Church youth groups from around Sydney will Light up the Street in support of the homeless or those at risk of homelessness.
Organised by Fervr and ANGLICARE, Light up the Street, has been designed as an evening that raises awareness about youth homelessness and generate support for those who help young homeless people get back on their feet.
“We’re hoping that it will be a fun and engaging night for youth groups as well. A way for our youth leaders to encourage their group members to have a heart for the lost and lonely in our community and spend the night thinking and praying about the people we help,” says ANGLICARE Youth Marketing Coordinator Candace Lamplough.
“For many we help through our youth homelessness program Street Outreach, life without a safety net is a reality. From young people living rough on the street, in a park or under a bridge to those who’ve been kicked out of home, there are many in our community who are in need.”
Current research shows that approximately one in two young people who seek accommodation are turned away each night. Only 14 per cent of the homeless population can be accommodated by services on any night. It also suggests the breakdown of primary family relationships as one of the major causes of youth homelessness. For those living independently, it is often the breakdown of the family unit that begins their path to homelessness.
For Kitty Fung, Fervr product manager, the event is all about exposing young Christians to another world and encouraging them to put their faith in action.
“We hope through the process young people will be able to see outside their world and not take what God has given them for granted,” Kitty explains.
“We’re always looking for opportunities to partner with other ministries and ANGLICARE’s Street Outreach program really impressed us. It was nice to see the program really was a type of Christian outreach. Not only did they help young people with their physical and material needs, there was also the option to learn more about Jesus if that was something they wished to do.”
For more information about Light up the Street visit anglicaresydney.fervr.net. All registered participants will get a resource pack that highlights ANGLICARE’s youth homeless program, Street Outreach, which includes a DVD with interviews with case workers and clients.
