How did you come to experience homelessness?
It took me three times before I broke the cycle of domestic violence. I ended up in three different women’s refuges, when I had to flee with my three children.
When I broke the cycle and tried to get my own home with my kids, I didn’t realise rent was so high. We had to stay with my sister and her two children. I went to a housing service to get assistance in order to get into affordable housing. I went three times and I was literally told that I didn’t qualify because I had a roof over my head, even though it wasn’t mine.
My children and I were in and out of homelessness for nine years. I ended up in a “safe house” communal living for four and a half years. It was a really difficult situation. We finally got into government housing where I still live today. I’m a single mum, and I hope to buy my own house one day.
How did you become part of the City of Melbourne’s Homelessness Advisory Committee?
I applied to be on the Homelessness Advisory Committee because I wanted to share my knowledge on homelessness to make change.
I’ve been volunteering for the Council to Homeless Persons for seven years in their Peer Education Support Program and I’m also a volunteer with Connect Respect – I deliver training to businesses and their staff to help them understand how to be with people who are experiencing homelessness
Why do you choose to help?
I believe it is my life purpose to make positive and much needed change for people in our community. You cannot put a price on the joy and happiness that you get from knowing that you’re making a difference to people.
How did you get through all the difficult years and time when you were experiencing homelessness?
My faith stopped me from getting onto drugs and alcohol and carried me through. I used it to my advantage and turned it into knowledge. Seeing how bad the system was, and the gaps that my children and I fell through, motivated me to make a change for others. I don’t believe anybody should have to go through what we went through and that vicious cycle.
How are things for you now?
I’m now employed four days a week – I deliver the Diploma of Community Services at the Institute of Tertiary and Higher Education Australia. I’m a trainer and assessor and my students get firsthand experience of what it’s like to be homeless included in their training. I advocate for people who experience domestic violence, mental health issues and children – I believe homelessness is an upside umbrella for all these issues.
One of my sons just finished year 11 and is doing really well, and my daughter just finished grade 6. She’s involved in school leadership and doing cheerleading. My oldest son is doing amazing despite everything we’ve been through. He’s working towards becoming self-employed and taking a new direction in his life.