Service and Outreach

300 Blankets – Elizabeth Tan, Year 10, Ridgeway Campus

300 Blankets is a service that allows students to understand the difficulties of homelessness through connecting with homeless people on the streets of the city. Our school has a partnership with the program, which allows small groups of students to go around the city and speak to homeless people as well as provide basic necessities. Students begin by arriving at Flinders Street Station where they are provided with blankets, toiletries, beanies, mittens and underwear to hand out to the homeless. They then follow the trustee around the city, meeting homeless people and ask if they need anything specific, as well as have a conversation about how they are doing and their stories and experiences. For many, this was not the first time they have been homeless.  

This was an eye-opening experience that has had a profound impact on me. Having those conversations with people experiencing homelessness changed my perspective, making me consider the lack of support that they are receiving. Many had fled their homes due to abuse and violence, initially seeking help through hospitals and other services, however, were rejected due to the assumption of drug abuse (which most had never done in their life). This experience allowed me to understand the depth of the situation, as well as remove any presumptions that I had on people experiencing homelessness.  

I highly recommend this program if you are looking for an eye-opening experience that will change your perception of the ways society treats homeless people.  

Big Group Hug