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YHMD 2024
DUBBO DU UB BB BO residents reesi side dent dent n s have have ha v the the h chance cha h nc ncee to learn more about le ear a n mo m re a bo out u yyouth outh ou th h homelessness hom omel eles el essn es sn nes esss when an event to raise community awareness on the social issue is held on Wednesday, April 17. Youth Homelessness Matters Day (YHMD) is a national day that began in 1990 to raise awareness and public discussion about child and youth homelessness. The day is marked annually nationwide on the third Wednesday in April. Dubbo’s YHMD event will be at Macquarie St Rotunda and is a joint operation between Uniting, Mission Australia and YFoundations. Stephen Newman, a case worker at
Un Unit nit itin tin i g Doorways D or Do orwa ways wa ys iin n Du ubbo, o, ssaid aid ai d tth he Uniting Dubbo, the event generating greater even ev entt is en i about abo b utt gen bo eneer eratin ing g gr rea eate ter comte munity awareness and understanding of homelessness. Uniting Doorways is a drop-in service for people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Doorways for Youth, Reconnect and Targeted Early Intervention are bodies of Uniting that seek to improve the lives of youth that are dealing with complex challenges including homelessness. Mr Newman said homelessness came in differing levels and creating understanding of this and how many people it affects is crucial. “It’s a serious issue,” Mr Newman said.
PICTURED: Back, Joe Whale (Uniting) and Stephen Newman (Uniting), front, Tori Maxwell (Mission Australia) and Ally Niemeyer (Mission Australia). PHOTO: DUBBO PHOTO NEWS/KEN SMITH
aim is is to o rraise aise ai see a ware wa reness ss o “Our aim awareness of youth homelessness.” h meleess ho ssne n ss ne ss.” .”” Mr Newman explained many homeless people can be sleeping rough and sleeping under bridges, while others may couch surf with family and friends. The Australian Bureau of Statistics uses six operational groups for presenting estimates of people experiencing homelessness on Census. These groups are: People living in impoverished dwellings, tents or sleeping out. People living in supported accommodation for the homeless. People staying temporarily with other households. People living in temporary lodgings. g g APRIL 11-17, 2024 DUBBO
People living in ‘severely’ crowded dwellings. The Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed in the 2021 Census that 122,494 people were estimated to be experiencing homelessness on Census night that year. Of that figure, 55.9 per cent were male, 44.1 per cent were female and 23 per cent of all people facing homelessness that night (28,174) were aged between 12 and 24. In Australia in 2023, it was estimated that more than 38,000 youths had experienced homelessness at some stage that year. Dubbo’s YMHD event will commence around 10am. PHOTO NEWS 19
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