Special Zoo residents flock together to fight against homelessness
Join the South Aussie leaders stepping up and sleeping out as more and more working families are among those seeking help.
Next month, a flock of new residents will arrive at Adelaide Zoo.
More than 100 of the highly empathetic species will congregate from all directions at this once-yearly event, drawn together by a deep concern for the wellbeing of other members of its species.
So, who is this group of big-hearted mammals joining forces at Adelaide Zoo on June 19?
They are the Vinnies SA CEO Sleepout 2025 participants.
And while there may be some levity in picturing the arrival of this group of South Australian leaders at Adelaide Zoo, there is a deep concern for the cause they are uniting to fight against.
That deep concern is for the struggles and pain being experienced by thousands of people in South Australia every day who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless.
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It is an experience that could happen to any of us, as this year’s leaders will see firsthand through special presentations on the night.
Those presentations will include the inspirational story of one local man who recently battled back from months on the streets with the assistance of dedicated Vinnies SA volunteers and staff.
The aim of the 2025 Vinnies CEO Sleepout is to raise funds to support people in South Australia who are experiencing, or at risk of experiencing homelessness, and the need is greater than ever according to Vinnies SA CEO Evelyn O’Loughlin.
“If you had said to me a year ago that things couldn’t have become much worse for thousands of our vulnerable community members, I probably would have agreed,” said O’Loughlin.
“Unfortunately, it turns out I would have been very wrong, because what was already one of the toughest times in memory has become even more so because of the escalating cost of living and housing crisis.”
Vinnies and a range of other South Australian charities and agencies have been rising to the challenge of meeting the needs of an ever-increasing number of South Australians that now, heartbreakingly, includes working families with young children.
The spiralling situation, which has pushed homelessness and crisis services almost to breaking point, makes this year’s CEO Sleepout one of the most important yet.
“We are seeing increases in the numbers of people sleeping rough or needing to access our support services, including working families who can’t afford to feed their children and pay rent even while working full time,” said O’Loughlin.
“That is putting terrible pressure on our homelessness, food and emergency assistance services across the state, which makes the success of this year’s CEO Sleepout more important than ever for us to maintain our capability to help.”
Because of the scale of the problem, and with just over a month until the event, O’Loughlin is calling for even more big-hearted community leaders to sleep out and stand up for people doing it tough.
“Our leaders, who aren’t just CEOs but who come from all levels of leadership, are incredible, compassionate people who can see what is happening and who understand the importance of maintaining – and if possible – even ramping up our support services,” she said.
“Each one knows that Vinnies will put their dollars to the best use within our comprehensive community programs that provide a safety net for thousands each year.
“If you’re a leader with a heart for community and you’re reading this, I’m appealing to you directly to sign up today for the Vinnies SA CEO Sleepout, where you can have full confidence that we will make the most out of every dollar you raise.”
If that sounds like you, you can sign up for the Vinnies SA CEO Sleepout here.
