Originally published in NT News on 22 April.
It was great to see our community come together in support of this year's Couch Surfing event at Civic Park on Wednesday.
Held on Youth Homelessness Matters Day, the event was more than a gathering - it was a powerful reminder of an issue that affects far too many young people across the Northern Territory and Australia.
While Couch Surfing brings people together in a spirit of solidarity, it also shines a light on a confronting reality. Every night in the Northern Territory, more than 3,000 young people aged 12 to 25 experience homelessness - nearly twelve times the national average. These are not just numbers; they represent young lives disrupted and futures placed at risk.
Youth homelessness is complex. But what is clear is that no young person should have to face the uncertainty and hardship of not having a safe place to call home.
At City of Darwin, we are committed to being part of the solution. Through our Youth Strategy 2022-2026, and the creation and development of programs such as LAUNCH Night Series, we support young people to connect with service providers and to reach their goals.
We work closely with Anglicare to deliver the annual Couch Surfing event and throughout the year we work with other community organisations to strengthen access to information and support, including mental health and alcohol and other drug services. We also advocate for community-based access points and after-hours outreach, helping connect vulnerable young people in public spaces with the support they need to stay safe and housed.
Importantly, we continue to invest in community awareness and education to build understanding of the challenges young people face, while ensuring inclusive programs across our libraries and community services that support young people as they grow and transition into adulthood.
We are proud to work alongside dedicated organisations such as Pathfinders NT in delivering our LAUNCH Night Series program and we celebrate the dedication and efforts of all the frontline services who make a real difference every day to young people in our community.
Thanks to Anglicare NT for the important work they do in supporting young people to access safe housing and their partnership in delivering the annual Couch Surfing event. Events like this not only raise awareness but also show what is possible when a community comes together. Thank you to those who came out in support to let young people know that we are a community who cares about their safety and wellbeing and who want to see them thrive.
