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By AUT journalism student Jasmine Gruber
While on a holiday in Australia, Caitlyn Clarke of Puhoi noticed there were a lot of homeless people.
She bought soaps, toothbrushes, and beanies to give to them and when the 14-year-old came back to the Hibiscus Coast, she wanted to make a difference in her own community.
“I watched a social experiment on Youtube involving a homeless man who was given $50 but gave it back when a man walked past and said he had no money for his daughter’s medicine,” she says. “So I decided that I wanted to make a difference and provide bags full of blankets, warm winter clothes and other items that would help homeless people –including job seekers.”
Caitlyn’s mother, Michelle, posted about her daughter’s initiative on Facebook and it quickly spread. As well as Facebook, Caitlyn spoke in front of her class at Orewa College.
She also produced flyers and developed a website where people can find out more and contact her for donations.
Caitlyn has already collected numerous items from people who have donated, and is going to distribute them throughout Orewa during the current school holidays.
She is also hoping to distribute her bags in association with Love Soup Hibiscus Coast.
Julie King, the Auckland area coordinator for Love Soup, was excited to hear about the initiative.
“I think it’s great that young ones can lead by example – it’s very promising for our future,” Julie says.
Info: caitlynjessica.wixsite.com/helpingthehomeless
