Ever wondered what it would be like to be homeless? Passed someone crying on the street, with everything they own in a bag and nowhere to go, and wondered how things got that bad for them? Or were you one of the many that completely ignored these people, mentally filtering them out ?

There's a program being organised right now called "Step into my shoes" that happens at the end of this week (18th-19th of Oct) that will give a group of young people an eye-opening (hopefully) once in a lifetime experience. Participants will experience a range of activities common among the Brisbane streeties, like selling the Big Issue, visiting shelters & drop in centers, bin diving and sleeping out in the Botanical gardens.

The purpose of the program is to raise awareness, but also to create an experience to never be forgotten. The objective is to get some sort of response from the students whether it be an appreciation for their family and material possessions, an understanding for the importance of education, or an understanding/tolerance of diversity.

I cant support this cause enough. Most people are ignorant of the real issues affecting homeless people on the streets in their own town, and seem to think that its simply a case of people not caring enough to "go find a job" or that its related to drug abuse. The problem is sooo much bigger than that. Homelessness is NOT just "houselessness". It can happen to anyone, and until you've had the experience you shouldn't judge others down on their luck.

The program is being organised with the support of many awesome groups that have helped myself and a lot of my mates through hard times, including: Salvation army, Red Cross, 139 Club, Brisbane Youth Service, Big Issue and the Qld police. This will be the first run for the program, it will be documented as it comes together, to be exhibited in early December. If it gets enough support they will hopefully get a grant to make this an ongoing annual event.

I'm begging anyone with any sort of media influence to get behind this event, I'll be doing everything I can to help these people including hopefully organising some speakers who've been living like this for years..

If you'd like to participate, register your interest by firing off an email to stepintomyshoes_crew@hotmail.com. Last I heard they had enough people interested, but do it anyway in case people drop out at the last moment and need replacing. Also, the more interest is expressed in this trial run, the more chance that the organizers will get a grant to make it an annual event.

Also, while I'm on the topic, I think people should read this thread on homeless.org.au by an awesome girl I've met a few times over the years. Its a few years old, but its a good insight into what a young person on the streets goes through, conveyed well before she became jaded by her experiences. I wish I knew what happened to this girl, she just seemed to dissapear :(

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