AUSTRALIAN a cappella stars The Idea of North and other performers will share the stage in Croydon at a concert that will put the spotlight on homelessness in Maroondah.
The Creating Awareness Concert next month will also feature the singing talents of Victorian choir Harambee and the accomplished Opus21 Big Band.
It's the fourth annual concert held by The Dining Room Mission and secretary Catherine Cossey says the group wants to change people's attitudes and ideas towards homelessness.
Mission founder David Knoop will address the audience about homelessness in the community.
TDRM is a Christian-based community meal and support service that started in November 2005 to help struggling families and homeless people in the Maroondah area.
In the wider Maroondah region, 728 people were recorded as homeless in the 2006 census — three times more than in 2001.
Ms Cossey said people should be aware that homelessness was "happening in our own backyard". The night will also include interviews with former homeless people and reflections from volunteers at the mission.
Richard (not his real name), a recovering alcoholic who found himself homeless, will share his story.
Richard was able to turn his life around with the help of TDRM, which established a relationship with him based on understanding and support.
"He was in an environment where he felt totally accepted," said Mr Knoop.
Mr Knoop said that a mistake some people made was passing judgment on the individual, which only served to drive them away from society. "It's important to understand that people do not choose to be alcoholics or to be homeless."
The concert is at St John The Divine Anglican Church, corner of Toorak and Wicklow avenues, from 7.30-10.30pm on Saturday, October 6. Tickets: trybooking.com or tdrmission.org.au. Details: 0402 239 933.