During Homelessness Week 2018, BYS launched our new ‘Get on Ya Feet’ packs – a high quality backpack, shoes, sleeping bag and other key items to provide comfort to young people living on the street.
This project is extra special as it was initiated by young people, Simon and Tahnee, for young people. The packs offer practical assistance to address immediate needs and, importantly, create a connection with BYS and the services we provide to assist young people to move out of homelessness.
The project kicked off with 50 packs for distribution. We are hopeful of expanding this project in the future to support a greater number of vulnerable young people. Thanks to OzTrail and Athletes Foot for helping us get together the key items to provide comfort to young people living on the street, and for agreeing to facilitate in-store shoe fitting.
Each Get on Ya Feet pack contains:
- Shoes (voucher for)
- Socks
- Windbreaker Jacket
- Sleeping Bag
- Water Bottle
- Service and Food Van List
- Notepad
- Pen
- Watch
- Pillow (blow up)
- Backpack
A BYS worker shared this insight about the difference this program is making to young people who are living rough:
One of the young people that we took into Athletes Foot to get new shoes as part of the Get on Ya Feet Packs, was wearing thongs then got fitted with sneakers and the look on his face was indescribable. He just looked from the mirror to his shoes and back a few times in disbelief. It was the first time we’ve seen him smile. This process really helped him come out of his shell for the first time
