Couch Surfing for Youth Homelessness

Teams of couch surfers battle it out to raise awareness of youth homelessness at Anglicare and City of Darwin’s annual Couch Surfing event.

WORDS BROOKE GIBBS
IMAGE CHARLIE BLISS

28,000 YOUNG AUSTRALIANS aged 12-25 years are homeless each night and the NT has almost twelve times the national average of homelessness in Australia. On any given night, 3,000 young people in the NT are experiencing homelessness. 

Youth homelessness is an issue near and dear to the hearts of past event emcees Jules Gabor and Kesh Fernandez, both having experienced homelessness themselves. 

“We felt like we had a lot to give to this event, and seeing … the community built around this event was one of our favourite things. Seeing how strong the community became by rallying behind this event by painting couches, registering a stall, and engaging with young people was very special,” they say. 

“We enjoyed emceeing this event as … we would read out facts and information about youth homelessness in the NT. Through doing so, we learnt a great deal about why we need events like this and why young people really do need to be supported.” 

Gabor and Fernandez said events like this shed light on an issue that’s prevalent in the NT, spreading awareness in a way that invites young people to take charge. 

“It also provides a platform for services in the area to engage directly with young people and other interested people who may be able to support themselves, or another young person who may be experiencing homelessness,” they say. 

“Homelessness isn’t just in the form of living on the streets, and this event also makes services approachable and centralises the services that can provide education and support on the matter.” 

This family-friendly event includes free food and drinks, info and stalls, and many fun activities. Get amongst it.

Couch Surfing 
WHEN WED 16 APR | 10.30AM-2PM 
AT CIVIC PARK, DARWIN 
COST FREE 
INFO anglicare-nt.org.au