Image from Unsplash
Imagine being locked up in a public place, 24 hours a day for an entire week … Melbourne man Glenn Broome is taking on a unique and extraordinary challenge to promote Whitelion’s Bail Out Week 2011, raise funds and help increase awareness of the organisation’s vital work. For the duration of the week, which runs from 23 – 27 May, Glenn will be voluntarily locked up on full show in Melbourne’s Federation Square.
Glenn, who is a social worker and Whitelion’s Community Integration Leader, has a similar background to many of the young people with whom the organisation works. Abandoned by his mother at the local police station aged just three days old, Glenn grew up in the out-of-home care system. Aged 18 he went to prison for armed robbery. Twenty-five years later, Glenn has carved a successful career working with young people to help provide them with the kind of opportunities he was never given.
As Whitelion holds its annual five day fund-raiser, Glenn will spend twenty-four hours a day in or around a specially designed cell at one of Melbourne’s busiest and most iconic spots. During this time Glenn will perform community service activities, meet members of the public and receive visits from a number of high profile guests.
Glenn’s entry into the cell this afternoon was attended by The Age, Network Ten, ABC TV, AAP and 3MTR.
Glenn said: “I wanted to do something that would really draw attention to the fantastic work that Whitelion does. If an organisation like this had been around when I was a teenager, things could have worked out very differently for me.
“What many people don’t understand is that often when a young person is released from juvenile justice they simply don’t know what to do next. With nowhere to go and nobody to turn to there’s a tendency to re-offend because that is all they know how to do to survive. That’s where Whitelion comes in. We offer the support they need to break the cycle with everything from help finding a job, ongoing friendship, support and hope.”
Members of the public will be encouraged to donate in order to bail Glenn out, with a target of $50,000 to be reached.
The Cell, specially designed and constructed by Lend Lease, will be powered by True Value Solar.
Whitelion founder and CEO Mark Watt: “We are all so proud to have somebody like Glenn as part of the Whitelion team. It takes a very special person to volunteer to take on such a monumental challenge. I have the greatest admiration and everyone at Whitelion will be on hand to support him every step of the way.
“I encourage the people of Melbourne to throw their support behind this inspirational man. Head to Federation Square during Bail Out Week to say hello and find out more about the work of Whitelion.”
Whitelion is not-for-profit community organisation that supports young people at risk to reach their full potential. The organisation works to build meaningful relationships and create opportunities that enable those that have experienced the youth justice and out of home care systems to reconnect with society.
There are various ways to get involved with Bail Out Week. Anybody can register online to Bail Out. Once each individual has raised or donated $25 they will be issued with a ‘hand-cuff’ to wear throughout the week.
The main event takes place at the Old Melbourne Gaol on Friday May 27. Fundraisers can register as individuals or as part of a team to become ‘inmates’ and step behind bars and into the shoes of young people at risk. Inmates will have one cell, one phone and a target of one thousand dollars to Bail Out and be freed into the famous Parole Party where they will be dazzled by theatrical displays, live performances and guest appearances. Neighbours stars including Alan Fletcher, Stefan Dennis, Eve Moray, Valentina Novakovic and Benji McNair will perform a special skit whilst their colleague Jordy Lucas will be locked up alongside Jason Coleman of So You Think You Can Dance.
The likes of Schweppes, KFC, Vodafone and Minter Ellison have already committed to getting involved.
Bail Out Week will also comprise of the annual Youth Justice Forum which will see an expert panel debate the impact that jobless families have on society and crime.
More information can be found at www.whitelionbailout.org.au
