<p>The 2011 Census found that 730 people per 10 000 were experiencing homelessness in the Northern Territory compared with the National average of 45 per 10 000. The most common reasons for homelessness in the Territory are lack of appropriate affordable housing, domestic and family violence and substance abuse.</p> <p>Vinnies operates homeless services including hostels, drop in centres and other programs in the Northern Territory. Our supported accommodation services provide approximately 56,500 bed nights of accommodation a year and place an emphasis on breaking personal cycles of poverty by helping people to learn to make better decisions through education and recreational programs.</p> <p>This year's CEO sleepout is raising funds for homelessness in Katherine. We have a twelve bed hostel for men only in Katherine and we would love to do more.</p> <p>Last year's CEO sleepout raised over $115 000 which enabled us to fit out a commercial kitchen for Knockabout Chefs. Knockabout Chefs trains willing residents in commercial cooking skills enabling them to complete a Certificate in Commercial Cookery. Pictured with our Chef David Taylor is one his students who has now gone on to a permanent job in a Darwin restaurant. Knockabout Chefs is already providing commercial catering to selected organisations. Pictured also is Ted Collins Village, an affordable housing project in Darwin. Since this village was built a couple of years ago, two families have been able to stabilise their situation enough to buy their own homes and move out.</p> <p>We thank you for your support in enabling us to help others.</p> <p><strong><strong><a href="http://www.ceosleepout.org.au/events/nt-sleepout/the-knockabout-chefs-3/" rel="attachment wp-att-3295">The Knockabout Chefs</a> </strong> <a href="http://www.ceosleepout.org.au/events/nt-sleepout/ted-collins-village/" rel="attachment wp-att-3303">Ted Collins Village</a></strong></p> <p> <a href="http://www.ceosleepout.org.au/events/nt-sleepout/phalen-lang-and-david-taylor_courtesy-ngphotographics-1-2/" rel="attachment wp-att-3298"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-3298 alignleft" title="phalen lang and david taylor_courtesy ngphotographics 1" alt="" src="http://www.ceosleepout.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/phalen-lang-and-david-taylor_courtesy-ngphotographics-1-150x150.jpg" width="150" height="150" /></a> <img title="Ted Collins Village" alt="" src="http://www.ceosleepout.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Ted-Collins-Village-150x150.jpg" width="150" height="150" /><strong> </strong> </p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;"> </p> <p> </p>
