You are here: HomeNeed HelpHomelessness Support ServicesHomelessness WeekStories › Housing Service Offers Community Connection & Care Annie Story

Housing service offers community connection and care – Annie’s story

Dealing with the emotional aftermath of family and domestic violence, Annie initially found work and housing, and started to build a new life. But then, COVID-19 hit, and she lost her work and then her home. This Homelessness Week 2023 (7-13 August), as part of The Salvation Army theme ‘It’s time to end homelessness: together, we can’, Annie shares her story of struggle and hope, to encourage others.

Annie shares her story

Seven years ago, I came to Australia from Papua New Guinea (PNG) to escape family and domestic violence. I am an accountant by trade, and this is what I did when I arrived in Australia for several years. But when COVID happened, I lost my job and became homeless. 

I’d never never been homeless before. When I first arrived at The Salvation Army housing crisis service, my mind was very bad … I didn’t leave my room at the service for almost three weeks.

One day, I left my room to cook in the kitchen to find it messy. So, I decided to do the dishes. The kitchen became mine and I started to do dishes and cook.

We had a community dinner for the first time and then I thought, “Oh, this is another home”. The community had a great impact on me. We would cook and eat together, and I realised that all the other residents were human beings, just like me.

I felt like I belonged somewhere, and I had a family. It improved my mental health to know that someone knew me, loved me and the case managers provided help. I realised I had to do something, so I started looking for jobs.

Housing and hope builds stability

We did my CV and I started to apply for factory jobs. I got a factory job. I saved up money and bought a car. But unfortunately, I crashed this car. My mental health got really bad, over this little thing. My stress got worse. I was so nervous and so depressed again.

But eventually we got help from some lawyers ... then my mental health picked up again. I was happy. I was thinking “What is this? When I’m happy I’m happy, but when I’m sad, the depression gets really bad and goes for a long time”.

And I told myself, “I can’t keep doing this [bad coping mechanisms] forever, I have to change”. My Salvos case manager would tell me I would be okay, that there was a way. I kept listening to her positive words, I went to a counsellor, and I completely changed my outlook.

After some time, I improved a lot. My mental health was good. And then in a short time I received my permanent residency, which was a huge relief for me. Then I applied for Centrelink as I got offered a house with a community housing provider and I’m now staying there.

A new life from homelessness to home

Housing really removed all of my stress. I have a roof over my head, I have a really nice home. I have a big church community, and, I just got a new job. Now I feel like helping others who are in my situation, walking in my shoes, who are in stressful situations. I told myself I will not go in the dark again after being stressed for so long.

My biggest change was when I first came to The Salvation Army crisis housing service, I didn’t know where I was going. I didn’t have anybody guiding me, I was lost, I was like somebody lost in the jungle. I was lost in a place where you have no family, no connection. I didn’t know how to keep living.

That’s why when I first came to the service, I wanted to go back to PNG and die in my own country than keep living here.

But now, the greatest change is I can go out and face the community. I can engage with other women like me, engage with my community. My Salvos case managers showed me love, kindness and compassion. Without this I would have given up.

If you or someone you know is at risk of losing your home, or are already experiencing homelessness, please contact us. We have a range of support services for youth, adults and families.
The Salvation Army Homelessness Support Services

I wrote to thank them, and I said: “You people are very good. You handle all types of situations and help so many others with their own problems. I saw that and built my own resilience. I saw that there were other people in my situation.”

The service also had a seminar with the Family and Domestic Violence Service and that helped me realise I can do some community work. For me, I am really encouraged to help the community. I learnt from the service that I can do anything.

It’s time to end homelessness: together, we can make a difference.
Learn more about Homelessness Week 2023

  • The Facebook logo
  • The X logo
  • The Youtube logo
  • The Instagram logo
  • The LinkedIn logo

The Salvation Army Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet and work and pay our respect to Elders past, present and future.

We value and include people of all cultures, languages, abilities, sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions and intersex status. We are committed to providing programs that are fully inclusive. We are committed to the safety and wellbeing of people of all ages, particularly children.

Five Diversity and Inclusion logos

The Salvation Army is an international movement. Our mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in his name with love and without discrimination.

salvationarmy.org.au

13 SALVOS (13 72 58)

Gifts of $2 or more to the social work of The Salvation Army in Australia are tax deductible.Details and ABNs

Subscribe to our mailing list
Hope where it's needed most

Top