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Comcare CEO to sleep rough to promote social inclusion

Comcare CEO Paul O’Connor will join Australian business and community leaders and sleep rough for a night as part of the annual St Vincent de Paul CEO Sleepout to promote social inclusion and raise money for homelessness services.

Mr O’Connor said Comcare is very aware of its role to promote social inclusion in Australia. He is looking forward to gaining insight into the hardships faced by many Australians who are homeless.

“Being injured at work can be a significant contributor to many people losing touch with work and family and beginning the decline into homelessness. That so many Australians are sleeping rough is a sobering thought – one that employers need to be more aware of.”

“Being injured at work can be the first act in a personal and family tragedy for some workers.”

Mr O’Connor said many employers will be aware that they need to do everything they can to keep workers healthy and safe at work, and to ensure swift rehabilitation after workplace harm.

Statistics show that more than 100 000 Australians regularly sleep rough, 34 000 of these are children. Contrary to what many believe, many families are now homeless. This includes young families, two-parent families and families with no history of social inclusion problems.

“Homelessness is an issue for us all,” Mr O’Connor said.

The event is being held across the country on June 17. You can support Mr O’Connor’s call for improved social inclusion by making a donation.