Pitch Up Geelong to support locals experiencing homelessness

THE Give Where You Live Foundation (GWYLF) is hoping to create a fairer and brighter future for locals experiencing homelessness at their inaugural Pitch Up Geelong live crowdfunding fundraising event.

The August 10 event at the Geelong Arts Centre will provide a platform for three local organisations (Wauthaurong Aboriginal Co-operative, Neami National and Lazarus Community Centre) to share stories of impact in the homelessness space, which will build community support to raise vital funds for locals in need.

Give Where You Live Foundation chief executive officer Bill Mithen said it would be eye opening for the Greater Geelong community to learn more about homelessness in their own backyard.

“Funds raised will support these organisations to assist people experiencing homelessness to connect with services and receive the support they need.

“Homelessness goes beyond people living on the streets or in parks and includes many more across our community in unsafe and unstable accommodation.

“This can include people sleeping in their cars, couch surfing, living temporarily in shelters, hostels or refuges, living in crowded conditions or living in housing unfit for human habitation.

“This event is a chance for the people of Geelong to come together and help raise funds which will help change people’s lives.”

He said local homelessness services were presently experiencing unprecedented demand.

In 2021-22 the network of homelessness funded services across the Barwon region assisted more than 5,600 people experiencing crisis.

“The Give Where You Live Foundation is working hard to create a fairer, more equitable Geelong, where all people and places thrive, and we can only do it with the support of our community.

“A donation at this event will have an immediate and local impact.”

Every dollar donated on the night will have double the impact and will be matched by the Give Where You Live Foundation and Anthony Costa Foundation.

Attendance to Pitch Up Geelong is free, and registrations can be made online at pitch-up-geelong-2023.raisely.com/