Young Vinnies Homelessness Immersion Retreat 2026

Young Vinnies Homelessness Immersion Retreat

On the last day of Term 2, a group of Senior Vinnies members participated in the Homelessness Immersion Retreat, facilitated by the Young Vinnies Programme Coordinators. Braving 4°C temperatures and sleeping on nothing more than cardboard and a sleeping bag, the students experienced a small glimpse of the discomfort and uncertainty that many people experiencing homelessness face each day. It was a humbling and eye-opening experience for everyone involved. A few students will share their reflections below, but for me, the highlight was the visit from Auckland City Mission. They challenged students to think deeply about the causes, experiences, and impacts of homelessness through a series of thought-provoking activities. One activity involved students positioning themselves along a continuum of agree, disagree, or neutral in response to statements such as, "Anyone can become homeless." Students engaged thoughtfully, confidently justifying their perspectives while listening respectfully to others. The discussion that followed was both robust and insightful, encouraging everyone to challenge assumptions and develop a deeper understanding of the complex realities of homelessness.

On the last day of term I got to experience the Senior Vinnies homelessness retreat.  One of my highlights was the bag activity because it ended up impacting everyone. At the start of the event, we were asked to carry around a bag and make sure to not leave it out of our sight. This was intended to let us feel how they feel having to carry around their belongings. In the morning, we were instructed to unpack the bags to see what was inside. We had to write a description on who we thought the person was and items we found in the bag .When we rejoined as a group, we were asked to share what we found out. I was surprised to learn that all the bags that we had to look after were bags of people who were homeless. We then heard the testimonies of people whose bags they were. I felt very overwhelmed and emotional because they are just ordinary people who are going through really tough situations that they can't control. The one that touched me the most was the 9 year old girl . My goals going forward in vinnies is to be more open to learning and being a helping hand to those who are less fortunate. - Carla Witbooi

On the last day of Term 2, members of Senior Vinnies participated in a Homelessness Immersion Retreat - where we experienced a small part of what it is like to be homeless. Our experience only lasted 1 day - however, in the real world, homelessness is much more of a long-term issue. While I cannot begin to imagine the amount of hardship and suffering that people experience on a daily basis, this retreat helped open my eyes to the reality of many. My highlight of the night was the liturgy - this was the part of the retreat that stayed with me the most. We all set our minds on reflection - taking the time to pause, reflect, and think about the experiences of those facing homelessness. It was a powerful reminder that every single person has their own story, and that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity, compassion, and respect. Overall, this experience was so rewarding for myself and other Vinnies members. Although it was challenging sleeping in 6 degree weather with only a sleeping bag and cardboard, the Vinnies Homelessness Immersion Retreat truly invited us to be more understanding and empathetic towards people whose story we don’t fully know. It also inspired us to do whatever we can to help those who are less fortunate. Whether it’s donating a can of beans for a food drive, volunteering at a soup kitchen, or even just showing kindness to someone who needs it; a small act on our part can make the biggest difference in someone’s life - and remember that when you help someone in need, you are doing it for God: “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” - Matthew 25:40 A huge thank you to Mrs Tupaea and Mr Marcelo - we really appreciate the time you took to make this retreat possible, and to all the Vinnies coordinators (especially Lucia) - thank you for sharing your knowledge with us and teaching us to be people of empathy, compassion, and love. It was your impact that made this retreat truly memorable for all of us.- Therese Wong

On the first day of the holidays, I, along with other Senior Vinnies members, volunteered for a homelessness immersion retreat. The retreat gave us a small insight into what it is really like to be homeless. During the retreat, one of my favourite moments was when we created groups, and were given a bag to carry for the night. They called it our ‘hope’ – losing the bag would be losing our ‘hope’. Simply keeping the bag secure gave us a sense of how hard it is not having a safe area to keep your belongings. Towards the end of the retreat, we finally opened the backpacks after spending the day not knowing what to expect. Inside, we discovered the belongings of people experiencing homelessness, along with their personal stories explaining how and why they had come to live without a home. Despite sleeping in the numbing cold on cardboard and a sleeping bag, the retreat helped me and my peers to grow as people. The Vinnies’ homelessness immersion retreat helped me realise how things that we take for granted nowadays are treasures for the less fortunate. It taught me that homelessness is not always someone's fault and that external factors beyond a person's control can have a significant impact on their life.- Naethan Caraig