Michaela was living at home and working in retail when things started to get tense with her parents. When a disagreement suddenly turned physical one day, Michaela needed to leave to keep safe. Michaela moves between friends’ couches, careful not to overstay her welcome. She can’t stay during the day, so she spends time in libraries and parks.
She’s barely getting by—juggling work, constantly figuring out where to sleep next. Feeling like a burden, she’s started staying with people she barely knows. It feels unsafe, but safer than the streets.
How your donation can help: At a local drop-in centre, Michaela can find food, wifi, and new work-appropriate clothing. She can also see a caseworker to help her access safe, crisis accommodation options to avoid exploitation
Ali doesn’t mind the motel, but it’s not really home. There used to be a lot of shouting and crying at his old home and eventually mum and Ali left suddenly one day.
He had to stop going to school for a while and he helped Mum talk to the caseworker in English and this room at the motel was all there was available.
Ali has started at a new school but it’s been hard to make new friends as he can’t really invite other kids back to his place. It feels like he’s hiding a big secret or pretending to be someone else.
How your donation can help: Ali and his mum need support to move towards accessing and maintaining long term housing. Moving costs, bond, and kitting out a new house from scratch are all expenses that they can’t afford
A marriage breakdown left Susan scrambling for a safe place to call home, and 3 years on she is still sleeping in her cramped car.
Susan tries to find spots near public toilets, but these are often patrolled by council workers who will wake her with a knock on the window to “move on”. Each day is a complex challenge of meeting basic needs: showering, finding a hot meal, not using too much petrol.
She’s emotionally burnt out and her physical health is suffering from the cold nights in a cramped car, worsening her diabetes and arthritis.
How your donation can help: Through assertive outreach, Susan can get the medical care she needs and at a neighbourhood centre, she can find friendly faces to talk to and free laundry and shower facilities
