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Homelessness is a growing crisis in Australia, particularly among young people in Western Sydney. Each year, thousands of vulnerable youths find themselves without a safe place to sleep, facing immense challenges that affect their education, employment, and well-being. The Home Sweet 2025 fundraiser, organised by Link Wentworth, is a powerful initiative designed to address this issue by supporting organisations like Platform Youth Services. By becoming a sponsor, you can make a tangible difference in breaking the cycle of youth homelessness and creating lasting change in your community.
Why Support Home Sweet 2025?
Home Sweet is a biennial charity sleepover event that started in 2017 to combat homelessness in Sydney. This year, for the first time, the event will be held in Western Sydney at the iconic Sydney International Regatta Centre on Friday, 5 September 2025. Volunteers, affectionately known as ‘sleepees,’ will sleep overnight at the event to raise funds and awareness for three vital charities: Platform Youth Services, Women’s Community Shelters, and Link Wentworth’s Scholarship Program.
The event provides sponsors with a unique opportunity to align their brand with a cause that directly impacts the community. Sponsoring Home Sweet 2025 not only boosts your brand’s visibility but also demonstrates your company’s commitment to social responsibility and community well-being. The funds raised through this event will go directly to helping young people, women, and those facing financial stress rebuild their lives.
The Need: Youth Homelessness in Western Sydney
The statistics on youth homelessness are alarming. In 2022-23, over 38,000 young people across Australia presented to specialist homeless services, with young people making up 14% of the nation’s homeless population. In Western Sydney, the problem is particularly acute. Many young people in the Penrith, Blue Mountains, and Hawkesbury regions are not only struggling to find stable accommodation but are also missing out on education and employment opportunities – 73% of homeless youth are not enrolled in education or training . These barriers perpetuate a cycle of disadvantage that is difficult to escape without targeted support.
Platform Youth Services, one of Home Sweet’s primary beneficiaries, offers a lifeline to these young people. Their comprehensive services include accommodation, meals, case management, and vital links to other support networks. By supporting Home Sweet 2025, you contribute directly to these life-changing services, helping young people find stability, gain access to education, and build brighter futures.
How Your Sponsorship Can Make a Difference
Home Sweet 2023 raised an impressive $170,000, which helped establish new shelters for women, provided scholarships for residents in community housing, and delivered critical support services to young people. In 2025, the goal is to raise $300,000, with every dollar going towards housing, education, and support services.
Sponsorship packages are available at different levels, allowing businesses of all sizes to participate: Please reach out to us to find out more.
In addition to financial sponsorship, there are opportunities for in-kind support. Businesses can donate products or services, such as catering or event supplies, or sponsor a ‘sleepee’ to participate in the event.
How to Get Involved
Supporting Home Sweet 2025 is easy. You can become a sponsor, provide in-kind support, or gather your team together to participate as ‘sleepees.’ Head to the website to donate or see how you can become part of this amazing initiative. Every contribution, whether big or small, brings us one step closer to breaking the cycle of youth homelessness in Western Sydney.
Join us on 5 September at the Sydney International Regatta Centre and help us create a brighter tomorrow for those who need it most. Together, we can make a lasting impact and show our community that no young person should face homelessness alone.
