Ann-Marie’s story: A journey from homelessness
Ann-Marie never imagined that one day, she would experience homelessness. She was usually the one caring for others. volunteering at foodbanks whilst raising her large family.
Ann-Marie never imagined that one day, she would experience homelessness. She was usually the one caring for others; volunteering at foodbanks whilst raising her large family.
“I used to do a lot of homelessness work,” she says, “I never, ever, envisioned being homeless myself.”
Behind the scenes, Ann-Marie was a victim-survivor of a marriage clouded by domestic violence. She survived it and persevered for her children. Eventually, she found the courage to leave the relationship, in hopes to find safety.
She then met Roy, her current partner, and they both moved to Victoria, determined to build a life that was healthy and secure.
Despite their determination, life began to unravel in ways she could never expect. A false public accusation affected their reputation, and work dissolved overnight. Soon after, their rental home was unexpectedly sold, and then came another devastating setback. Roy’s health declined after suffering a major stroke, his medical needs increased and unable to afford care, he unfortunately went into a depression.
Overwhelmed by life’s challenges, they didn’t know where to turn to for help.
Breaking the cycle of homelessness
For two years, they lived between a small car, a ute and an old caravan, wondering how long they could survive living without a secure roof over their heads.
“It was minus four degrees some nights,” Anne-Marie recalls. They walked kilometres into town to shower, used community services to wash clothes, and found various places to heat their meals.
“We got four nights in a motel in two years. Four nights. It was mentally and physically exhausting,” Ann-Marie said.
“For the first time ever, I couldn’t see a way out.”
After multiple referrals, a door opened at CatholicCare Victoria’s Homes First program. Homes First provides assistance for people experiencing homelessness, and helps them secure long-term accommodation and access to support.
When the case worker connected with Ann-Marie, they listened and understood that the couple needed wrap-around support.
They drove Ann-Marie to her to medical appointments, helped her manage complex health needs, supported her to regain her driver’s licence and funded assessments she couldn’t afford at the time, ensuring . Eventually, they found Ann-Marie and Roy a home.
A day she’ll never forget
The day they received the keys to their home, is a day she says she will never forget. “We walked into this unit with nothing, and everything was there. A fridge, a couch, bedding, towels, pots and pans. It felt like Christmas, and it wasn’t Christmas.”
For the first time in years, Ann-Marie and Roy felt a sense of safety. “Without CatholicCare we would still be in that caravan, if we were lucky.”
After a long time, Ann-Marie finally able to say, “I’m enjoying life more now. We’ve got a permanent roof over our head we can never lose.”
Today, Ann-Marie continues her work in homelessness, through CatholicCare Homelessness Advisory Team (CCHAT), a volunteer peer-led group that aims to give people experiencing homelessness a voice, so that they can advocate for more effective support.
People don’t need a handout, they need a hand up,” Ann-Marie says.
Homes First
Homes First focuses on supporting people into long-term social housing, as well as accessing up to three years of tailored wrap-around support to help them sustain their tenancy, and improve their wellbeing by achieving key life outcomes.
