• Rev Church and Youth Homelessness sparks joy with Christmas party

The Carols in the Park event in Adelaide was a time of joy for young people in need.

BY ANTHONY CASTLE

Salvation Army Youth Homelessness Services in South Australia partnered with Rev Church (Revolution Church) in Adelaide to host a Christmas Party for young people in need. The third annual Carols in the Park event was open to clients of The Salvation Army’s Youth Services, those that Rev Church support over Christmas, and the wider community. 

A mechanical bull was a popular attraction.

“In the past we were running Carols by Candlelight in our carpark and also a carnival event,” says Nathan Casey, Corps Officer at Rev Church. “We combined the two ideas and youth services were involved as well. We want to celebrate Christmas and really do something for those kids.” 

The Carols in the Park event offered carnival attractions, activities with inflatables, face painting and the festive challenge of a mechanical bull. Rev Church’s music team provided music for the carols service.

“People come to Rev Church for the Salvos’ Christmas Cheer and to receive assistance,” Nathan says. “We don’t want it to just feel like a handout, so we invite people to come along. It’s a sausage sizzle, a carnival, a Christmas event. It’s a way for them to be part of community.” 

The Salvation Army's Christmas Cheer program provides food and gifts to those in need during the Christmas season. The program brings hope and joy to those who are struggling, distributing thousands of toys and hampers across the country. 

Over 300 people attended last year’s Carols in the Park event. 

We want to make sure it feels like Christmas for them. We want to spark joy and do something that feels like family. That’s the whole thing.”

The event “is great for young people that are clients of youth homelessness,” says Sarah Green, Ministry Assistant at Rev Church. “They meet other young people. It connects people within the community and is available for free to all the public. One of the clients even came along and sold their artwork at last year’s event.” 

Candles were provided for the carol singing.

Australia is experiencing a housing crisis that is contributing to more people being put at risk of losing their homes and experiencing homelessness. Cost-of-living and market changes post-COVID have meant increasing challenges for those needing shelter. The Salvation Army supports many facing homelessness at Christmas time, with young people often becoming the most vulnerable. 

“The real gift isn’t the toys,” says Sarah. “The real gift is belonging and dignity. We’re not just putting stuff on a table to grab, but for people to be seen, to connect and to be part of something that’s bigger. We want young people to know that we really care about them.” 

“These are just kids,” Nathan says. “We have young people in our youth services, they might be 15 or 16, but they’re still kids. Some spend Christmas Day at a shelter, with almost no one. We want to make sure it feels like Christmas for them. We want to spark joy and do something that feels like family. That’s the whole thing.”  

The third Carols in the Park took place at Harry Weirda Reserve on Saturday 14 December.