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Stories
Food truck bringing comfort to the streets
The Salvation Army in Wagga Wagga, south-west NSW, has acquired a much-anticipated new food truck to expand outreach to people experiencing hardship and homelessness in the area.
After starting as an evening street service, where food was served from the back of a van, the new food truck allows hot food to be cooked on-site, while also giving the Salvos more opportunities to engage with the community and provide support.
Read moreThrough the fire – Fiona's story
Fiona and her husband lost their home and belongings during the Black Summer bushfires.
While at an evacuation centre the day after, Fiona met the Salvos. “If we needed any assistance, it was never too much trouble for them,” tells Fiona. “It was just phenomenal.”
The Salvos walked alongside Fiona and her family for the long haul, helping them in the days, months and years after the tragedy, helping them rebuild not just their house, but their lives again.
Finding hope after homelessness – Krzysztof's story
A qualified engineer from Poland, Krzysztof came to Australia in 1991. But when a Centrelink dispute caused his unemployment benefits to stop, Krzysztof was forced out on the streets.
“I spent a good two years wandering from place to place looking for a more suitable longer-term hideout to stay,” tells Krzysztof. 16 years later and still without a home, Krzysztof visited a Salvos centre one day, where someone recognised him from a missing persons poster on the wall. This encounter sparked a life-changing course of events, including a new home and a sense of belonging for Krzysztof.
From hardship to hope – Diya's story
Heavily pregnant and under a mountain of debt after fleeing a violent home, Diya had no assets, money or quality of life.
With support from Moneycare, The Salvation Army’s financial assistance service, Diya was not only able to become debt-free but build on her wealth. “I am now a single mother … and we are thriving,” reports Diya. “…Our lives have been transformed, and for the first time I am living a life without excessively worrying about my finances.”
Finding her way home – Tarnji's story
Tarnji lost her home, possessions and job as a counsellor when the 2022 Queensland floods hit.
After the evacuation centre she was temporarily living in closed down, Tarnji connected with the Salvos, who helped her access crisis accommodation at a women’s shelter, and eventually permanent housing. As Tarnji says now, “The practical help, the emotional support, and the financial assistance … have all contributed to my significant change, where today I can say that I love my life.”
Reclaiming her life – Gabbi's story
After her emotionally abusive marriage of 10 years ended, Gabbi experienced years of homelessness and instability.
“Because I’m a single female on disability pension, I found it dreadfully difficult to find rental in a price range that Centrelink would be happy with giving me assistance for,” says Gabbi.
Gabbi contacted the Salvos, and was supported on her journey to find and maintain stable housing, and the safety and support to heal from her past trauma.
A second chance at Christmas – Kate and Mick's story
What began as a dream-come-true turned into a nightmare for café owners, Kate and Mick.
As Kate says, “We were sinking deeper and deeper into debt.”
With the business spiralling, the couple went into liquidation. Without an income or a home now, the family of four moved into a caravan. Struggling to survive, they called up the Salvos. Soon after, the family was provided stable housing, material aid and financial counselling, to help them manage their debts and make a fresh start.
A journey to safety – Bams' story
After fleeing a violent relationship, Bams was faced with an impossible choice — homelessness or living in unsafe accommodation.
As a temporary visa holder, she had no rights, government assistance or income. That’s when she contacted the Salvos. To her surprise, she was welcomed with open arms, and provided not just practical support, but also a safe space to process her traumatic experience and find some stability, and as a result — regain her voice and determination. As she says today, “Everything that I have today, without them [The Salvos] I’d probably be staying on the street.”
Towards a better future – Francine's story
After 10 years of physical and mental violence, Francine and her young son escaped.
That’s when her journey with the Salvos began.
“I didn’t even have to ring them – they just showed up”, says Francine. “They knew that we needed help.”
The Salvos helped the family find the safety and stability they desperately needed, as well as the confidence to recover and make a fresh start.