At Catholic Healthcare, our mission is to serve those in our Catholic Connected Communities, making meaningful differences in the lives of older people, the frail, and the most vulnerable.
One such way we are doing this is by helping to provide people with places to call home through our Transitional Housing Program. Housing for those experiencing homelessness is not just about shelter; it is about restoring dignity, independence, joy, and hope.
The following is Sam's* journey back 'home' after a period of homelessness.
After eight years working and living in an immigration detention centre and facing sudden redundancy, Sam* had to face the harsh reality of being homeless at 65.
Sam was referred to Catholic Healthcare’s Transitional Housing Program, and with stable housing and support, Sam was able to start the search for a permanent, safe and settled home.
After eight months, Sam found a permanent home and rediscovered the joy of independent living.
A small thing to most, Sam said he was thrilled to have his own kitchen after a decade, where cooking his first roast chicken was the highlight of this new beginning.
*Name altered for confidentiality.