The Epping Sleep Out: Come Out Of Your Comfort Zone and Be Displaced For A Night!

By Nidhi Kumari

The Community Foundation of North Western Sydney are organising for the very first time The Epping Sleep Out on 1st Sept 2018 at Boronia Park supported by Damien Tudehope, Member for Epping. The Community Foundation supports disadvantaged people in North Western Sydney. Rajiv Chaudhri, the patron of this organisation supporting it through it’s various fund rising initiatives spoke to Indus Age and shed light on the initiative. Read on to know more:

 The Community Foundation of North Western Sydney are organising for the very first time ‘The Epping Sleep Out’. Tell us what this campaign is all about?

The Epping Sleep Out is first and foremost about creating awareness about homelessness and disadvantaged people that exist even in our community. Homelessness could occur because of socio-economic conditions but can also result due to an argument or conflict which results in a member of the family taking to the streets. It could be the result of depression too.

The Epping Sleep Out presents an opportunity for people to experience one night of homelessness sleeping outside in Boronia Park all though the night on a cardboard box in a sleeping bag like a homeless person. The idea is also to experience how it feels to be displaced for a night with no power, tv, shelter and comfort to enable us to appreciate the harshness homeless people go through.

Secondly, we present a networking opportunity for people form different walks of life to connect with one another and see where they can take that relationship to work within their business or community. In a sense it integrates the local community to work together towards a good cause.

Lastly, we raise money for the foundation so that it can deploy the raised funds into programs that facilitate helping those in stress like homeless and disadvantaged people.

Over the last eleven years we have assisted several people though programs impacting thousands of lives in North Western Sydney.

Whilst having a chat with the Member for Epping Damien Tudehope, he suggested that we should do something in his electorate and we agreed after deliberating on it for a bit.

What is the main idea and motivation behind the ‘The Epping Sleep Out’ initiative?

Awareness of Homelessness, Community integration & fundraising are the three most important motives behind the sleep out.

 What have been the major challenges towards this initiative?

Obtaining approvals can be challenging as people often question your motives. Involving local community can be challenging as they can be reluctant to come on board initially so its all about confidence building measures and establishing trust which once established results in a successful event.

How has the response from the Government and the community been so far?

We didn’t get very good response from local government at first and had to push our way through as we wanted it to be a foundation initiative and not something driven by councillors to garner votes.

Why do you think this Sleep Out initiative is important, in today’s time?

It’s nice to come out of your comfort zone and be displaced for a night to really be able to experience the harshness associated with being homeless.

How do you intend to engage more people in this and how can more people be associated with it?

This is the inaugural year and will pave the way for a stronger engagement in coming years. People to come forward and volunteer their time, efforts or contribute money to help us make this community better for them and their families.

What is the message that you want to spread through this initiative?

We must all inculcate a habit of giving back to the community and support those in need through volunteering with our time, efforts or contributing with donations. The message of peace, love & camaraderie is what we’d like to spread in this era where the daily news is filled with acts of deceit, cheating, terrorist activities and fraud.

You are invited to join them make a difference as they raise funds for charities in North Western Sydney by registering at www.eppingsleepout.com.au