The LJ Hooker Group is proud to announce that its CEO, Christine Mikhael, has been named an ambassador for the 2024 St Vincent de Paul (Vinnies) CEO Sleepout. This year marks Ms Mikhael's third consecutive year participating in the event, which raises funds and awareness for the more than 122,000 homelessness in Australia – a figure that has risen by 27 per cent in the last ten years.
The Vinnies CEO Sleepout, now in its 18th year, is held on one of the longest and coldest nights of the year. It involves hundreds of CEOs, business owners, community and government leaders braving the elements by sleeping outdoors without shelter to support Australians who are experiencing the same every day.
Ms Mikhael said: "I am honoured to once again participate in the CEO Sleepout as an ambassador to support the incredible work of Vinnies and the tens of thousands of volunteers who donate their time and efforts to help others.”
As an ambassador for the CEO Sleepout, Ms Mikhael will join other business leaders in sleeping rough for a night to support those in need. Her involvement reflects LJ Hooker Group's commitment to addressing homelessness, a cause close to her heart.
"The need for shelter and a place to call home is at the core of the LJ Hooker Group. Every day, we help people buy or rent a home. While this is a joyous occasion for so many, I never lose sight that this is not the story for all Australians, and homelessness is real and severe,” said Ms Mikhael.
Each CEO Sleepout participant commits to raising a minimum amount of funds to help Vinnies provide essential services to those in need. To date, Ms Mikhael has raised $25,532 in support of the cause.
"I am deeply committed to making a difference in the lives of those experiencing homelessness. Together, we can create a lasting impact and help bring about positive change in our community."
Ms Mikhael's personal connection to St Vincent de Paul dates back to her youth. In 1987, while in Year 11 at St Leo's College, she participated in a Christian Brother's excursion that included visits to youth hostels, prisons, and other community services. The experience had a profound impact on Ms Mikhael and her peers, inspiring them to create a Vinnies School Conference at St Leo's, and later establish a Vinnies youth group in Hornsby.
"I was actively involved in running dawn patrols in the city to help connect with homeless kids, men, women, and even families, with a meal, clothing and a place to sleep at a local shelter, like the Mathew Talbot Hostel.
“Soon after, I took on the voluntary role of being the Youth Rep of the Broken Bay diocese for Vinnies, where I was actively involved in helping other volunteers become part of one of Australia's largest volunteer organisations.
“Today, Vinnies continues to run these youth groups in schools and parishes known as Vinnies Youth."
The Vinnies CEO Sleepout will take place on 20 June 2024 across multiple locations in Australia. For more information or to make a donation, please visit ceosleepout.org.au/fundraisers/christinemikhael/nsw.
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