Every night in Australia over 105,000 people are homeless. 26,000 are young people aged from 12 to 24.

Sleepless in September is STREAT’s annual campaign that brings together people and organisations from across Melbourne to help stop youth homelessness. This year's main event is ‘Sleepless at Central’ on Friday 25 September where participants can experience first-hand what it might be like to sleep on the street, at Melbourne Central.

STREAT is a social enterprise that tackles youth disadvantage and homelessness by providing the life-skills, support networks, work experience and training young people require to kickstart their lives and a career in hospitality.

The five Melbourne based cafes, catering and coffee roasting businesses, including STREAT Café on the Ground Level of Melbourne Central. are the main training venues (and income generators) needed to support these amazing young people – and to support STREAT.

The campaign aims to raise critical funds for STREAT's youth programs as well as raise awareness and start conversations around solutions to homelessness.

Melbourne Central General Manager Leigh Dunn said, “We are thrilled to support STREAT once again for its Sleepless in September campaign. Youth homelessness is such an important issue in Melbourne’s CBD that we all need to face and awareness campaigns such as this is the first step to getting the discussion going.”

STREAT Founder and CEO, Rebecca Scott said, “Living without a home is a frightening daily reality for over 105,000 people in Australia with more than 26,000 aged 12 to 24 years old. STREAT is all about finding practical solutions to truly make a difference in these people’s lives.”

This year’s theme for ‘Sleepless at Central’ is ‘Dreams’ and the night will feature local and STREAT musicians playing special sets and an art, and stories workshop – A Pillowcase of Dreams – with Matthew Butler, founder of the Zaishu organisation. There will be a discussion on the meaning of dreams

The STREAT chefs will sustain everyone with soup and sourdough, with breakfast served at 6am.

WHAT: Sleepless at Central

WHEN: Friday 25 September at 7pm .00 pm

WHERE: Level 2 Link Bridge, Melbourne Central, corner of Swanston St & La Trobe St

Find out more here.