Oasis celebrates the success of The Couch Project

With our backs finally cracking into shape after the success of the second sleep-out on November 9^th, The Salvation Army’s Oasis Youth Support Network (Oasis) is thrilled to share the huge success of The Couch Project 2013, having raised an amazing $52,000! The success is thanks to the countless dedicated supporters all over Australia that slept on their couches to raise awareness and funds for the hidden homelessness that is couch surfing.

“I am so pleased that the campaign has been so successful and am excited to see what the future holds for The Couch Project,” said Major Keith Hampton, Director of Oasis, “This program  not only raises awareness around the realities of couch surfing, but helps us to continue providing services to homeless young people.”

Of the 44,000 homeless young people in Australia between the ages of 12 and 24, many are sleeping on the couches of friends, dealers or worse, never knowing when it will be time to move on again.

One inspired supporter told Oasis, “After hearing about The Couch Project and learning about the devastating effects of couch surfing, I jumped onto the website and signed up immediately. If the money I raise can help keep a young person off the streets, than one night on the couch is the least I could do!”

With the funds raised from The Couch Project going towards funding Crisis and Transitional Accommodation at the Surry Hills centre, getting involved means offering a young person a second chance to restore hope back into their life. Some of the 215 young people that Oasis provided accommodation to in 2013 also got involved with the Couch Project, spending a night on the couch to raise awareness – hopefully for the last time.