For many, Christmas is a time to spend with family, in a safe home, exchanging gifts and recharging the batteries for the year ahead. But for many more, it is an unbearable reminder of everything they don’t have.

I work with so many kids that are without a family, a safe home, and happiness. At Christmas time, they face images of what they don’t have everywhere they go and they end up resenting Christmas. Every year, I am asked not to play Christmas carols, because it reminds them of what they don’t have.

I work with my staff to bring happiness to these kids by providing them with a gift during Christmas. This relies on the generosity of the public and our supporters, who every year show that they care about the young people we help.

When we hand out these gifts, we see the pain and anguish disappear from the young people’s faces as they momentarily forget about what they don’t have. Instead they are thinking about what they have: a gift at Christmas, and more importantly, they know someone cares about them and wants them to experience what Christmas is about – giving to those less fortunate.

This Christmas, if you have the means, consider donating a gift card or donating directly to a charity that helps less fortunate people. It can brighten the day of someone that is constantly being reminded of what they don’t have.

For more information on what Youth Off The Streets does, please visit www.youth offthestreets.com.au.

Fr Chris Riley,

Youth Off The Streets.