Press release from TM Publicity
Secondary schools and students are urged to get on board and engage with homelessness in their communities.
Entries close on September 16 for THE OASIS: Homeless Short Film Competition, a national competition with $25,000 prize money for secondary schools students to raise awareness and understanding about homelessness.
The 15 finalists in the competition will also each win a Flip Mino 720p HD 4GB camera – a pocket-sized high definition video recorder, designed for quick and easy video upload to computers and on-line.
THE OASIS: Homeless Short Film Competition is part of an extensive education and outreach program which is central to a five-year philanthropic initiative tackling the growing incidence of youth homelessness in Australia.
This initiative is specifically designed to develop the capacities and knowledge of young Australians to become concerned, committed citizens and leaders of the future in social policy.
Schools from around the country have begun submitting their 3 minute short films and Oasis’ Schools Liaison Officer, Bee Orsini – herself formerly homeless – is travelling to other schools encouraging students and teachers to participate.
“Young people have the capacity to change our future to one in which no young Australian has to worry about where they will sleep at night. My job is to help young people see that they can make a difference,” Bee says.
Students who enter THE OASIS: Homeless Short Film Competition are asked to make a film about any aspects of homelessness, to raise awareness, highlight positive stories, inspire action locally and nationally, and support existing services.
The incidence of youth homelessness has doubled in Australia over the last 20 years with 32,000 young people under 25 defined as homeless (including children under 12, this number increases to around 44,500 Source: ABS Census 2006).
The OASIS initiative was launched in 2008 with the premiere of the AFI award-winning documentary THE OASIS on ABC Television and the release of a major report into youth homelessness in Australia, The National Youth Commission Report on Youth Homelessness, commissioned by The Caledonia Foundation.
Entries in THE OASIS: Homeless Short Film Competition close on September 16, with winners to be announced in November 2011. $25,000 in prizes will be awarded to the winning schools with individual finalists to receive the prizes of the Flip Mino cameras.
For further details about THE OASIS: Homeless Short Film Competition and THE OASIS Schools Curriculum Resource – Youth Homelessness Matters, go to: www.theoasismovie.com.au
About The Caledonia Foundation:
The Caledonia Foundation is a private philanthropic foundation which seeks to make a significant, sustainable difference in the lives of disadvantaged young Australians. Through strategic funding partnerships, The Caledonia Foundation assists the advancement, wellbeing and welfare of children and youth by supporting education and training. The Caledonia Foundation and its associates have been supporting the OASIS Youth Support Network since 1998.
www.caledoniafoundation.com.au
About the Oasis Youth Support Network:
Oasis gives homeless and disadvantaged young people hope, help and opportunities to access relevant education, training, jobs, counseling, and drug/alcohol programs.
Oasis cannot effectively undertake this intensive work until young people are off the street and in a safe, stable environment. On any given night, Oasis helps to accommodate and feed more than 100 homeless young people.
http://salvos.org.au/oasis