How Can We Change The World?

Over the past few months I’ve written about my not-for-profit charity that I founded — Mobilise

I thought it was finally time to delve into what it is that I do…

The Mobilise movement began in 2016 founded on a simple question -

“In a country as prosperous as Australia, why does anyone have to sleep on the streets?”

Since these humble beginnings, Mobilise has continued to grow –

We now have 2 monthly outreach teams in both Melbourne and Sydney.

We’ve handed out over 250 care-packages, spending time with hundreds of homeless people and most significantly have given the opportunity to 100+ Mobilise volunteers to the reality of life on the streets while working together to provide functional care and make a difference.

Mobilise began with a simple question but now aims to serve as a conversation throughout society.

We continue to explore what the causes of homelessness are and how we can help make a difference for those experiencing it.

We’ve learnt that homelessness can happen to anyone and for any reason.

Our aim is to continue walking with our friends on the street because we know that they are homeless but not hopeless

So many of us within our generation are socially aware and want to help bring change, however many do not know how.

Mobilise is that platform

Mobilise presents an opportunity for everyone to get involved and contribute what they have, regardless of where they come from or their background.

Mobilise is the chance to bring light to those who need it most, to be surrounded by a community of like-minded fellow youth but most of all it’s the opportunity to learn about a problem that we often overlook.

We all have biases about homelessness and have heard stories of the junkie men running around or that all homeless people are drug users.

It wasn’t until I sat down for the 1st time with someone on the street did I really understand that the stigma is all wrong.

The homeless in our society have so many factors they have to contend with –

Imagine sleeping on cardboard in winter without a blanket to cover you

Imagine being so hungry it hurts and when you ask someone for help they spit on you and yell “get a job hobo”

Imagine not being able to sleep at night because of the risk of being assaulted or having all of your possessions stolen

It’s funny, when we went out onto the first Mobilise outreach I thought we were there to help those on the streets with care-packages and by spreading love and care into their life.

The reality is, I’m the one who has been learning the whole time.

I’ve learnt more about resilience, generosity and the indomitable will of the human spirit through Mobilise than I ever thought possible.

Spending time with those struggling is a reminder to think more about humanity

Speaking to Mobilise volunteers they’ve described a change in mindset, many have spoken about a new passion to help those on the streets and word has spread as we have more and more people clamour to experience what a Mobilise outreach provides.

Mobilise outreach’s are an opportunity to learn, a unique and humbling experience to be reminded about the truth of what those who are homelessness face every day.

We are desensitised and often forget that people live in these dire situations, adding a human face to these situations and hearing their stories is a reminder that we all have the opportunity to make a difference.

It’s not always easy, going on outreaches and speaking to those who are homeless is a step outside of the comfort zone everytime. However anything worth doing, will never come easy.

3 years ago, when I first sat down on a random street with my best mate, 2 bags of bread from a bakery and open ears I had no idea what to expect.

The past years have been a journey, it’s been incredible to see the growth of Mobilise and hear some of the stories from those who have been out here.

Over the next year we’ll be bringing to you a series cause “Mobilise Magnified” bringing to life, some of the stories that our volunteers and team have experienced.

We might not be able to change the world right now, yet change always begins with a societal conversation.

Even though we can’t change the world, we can always make a difference in someone’s life.

I want to leave you with one of my favourite quotes –

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has — Margaret Mead