She says: “Most of my life I’ve been running away from bad situations, bad relationships and making wrong choices that have affected me and my children. When I left past relationships I also left my children, which has been very hard.” After an extended stay in emergency housing she was offered a long-term home with VisionWest. She had already made friends here and built relationships with the Trust staff. That meant she was able to make changes for herself and her children. Parenting courses, women’s support group, life skills classes, budgeting, affordable clothing from the Op Shop, and Kindy are some of the things that have been part of this change. But the most important relationship was with her Housing Social Worker: “I know I can always see my Social Worker to address any needs that come up. She makes me feel that I am of value and is always ready to listen to me without judging me.” Donna is empowered to create the life she wants and has the skills now to continue to make good decisions. “I don’t have to run away anymore, I have a stable home for myself and my children and I am mending my relationship with my older children too.”
We first met Karen when she came into our emergency house several years ago; she stayed a while and then left. After coming back to visit a couple of times, we then didn’t see her for a year or so. Karen, by her own admission, didn’t take advantage of the other services offered to her and returned to a violent relationship.
However, when she found herself in trouble with the law and at rock bottom she knew that the people at VisionWest could help her. She called full of shame and regret, telling our staff what she had done. Within a short time she was on bail staying in one of our transitional houses. Later she moved into a long-term house. Karen was helped through the court process and has served her sentence of home detention in her new home. Those assisting Karen acknowledged that she was ready to take control of her life and make the changes necessary for her and her children to have a positive future. With the encouragement of our Social Worker and other staff and volunteers, Karen has made huge progress. One of the biggest issues for her was making a stand against her ex-partner and putting an end to the abuse. Karen and her children are feeling safer each day.
Karen expressed an interest in helping out at the Trust and after discussions with the Community Chaplain, it was decided that she would help set up the new second-hand school uniform bank. She took on the role with great enthusiasm; washing, sorting and labeling and then on the shop days she organised a team of volunteers to give out the uniforms. Karen was sensational and grew in confidence as she realised she was providing help to others in the community.
Whatever arises, our commitment is to see families walk in wholeness, live life and not just survive it, be part of a community and value themselves and others… and have a safe, affordable, secure home to live in.