Kristy’s Story: Protecting her daughter and finding the courage to ask for help
When Kristy became homeless, her focus was clear. Keeping her daughter safe.
A life that once felt secure
When Kristy reflects on her experience of homelessness, it’s something she never imagined for herself.
“I never thought that I’d experience homelessness, never in my life,” she says.
For years, Kristy had built a stable life. She worked hard, supported herself, and even owned her own home.
“I just constantly worked… I put myself into my work and supporting myself,” she recalls.
She had stability. A home. A future that felt certain.
But life changed.
When everything shifted
When Kristy’s mum was diagnosed with cancer, everything began to unravel.
The family home had to be sold, leaving Kristy without a place to live in an already difficult housing market.
At the same time, Kristy had stepped into a full-time caring role for her daughter.
Then, when family violence entered her relationship, she made the difficult decision to leave.
Her focus was clear. Safety.
Making sure that Pippa was safe… protecting Pippa*
Always moving, always protecting
For nearly a year, Kristy and her daughter experienced homelessness, moving from place to place.
At times, they stayed with family. At others, they had nowhere to go.
When even those options fell through, their car became their home.
But for Kristy, staying still didn’t feel safe.
“I just drove around… I felt safer driving around while she’s asleep,” she says.
Even stopping for the night felt uncertain.
“I just didn’t feel safe… I just kept moving around,” she says.
Every decision she made was guided by one thing.
Keeping her daughter safe.
At the end of the day, I’d rather protect my daughter before I protect myself
Doing everything she could
Despite everything, Kristy did everything she could to create a sense of normal life for her daughter.
That meant long drives back and forth just to get her to school.
“It was hard… travelling from Maryborough to Bendigo to take Pippa to school,” she says.
It was exhausting. It was uncertain. But Kristy kept going.
“Yeah, tried everything… did as best I could,” she says.
Even with limited support around her, she didn’t stop.
Finding the courage to ask for help
As things became more difficult, Kristy reached a point where she knew she couldn’t do it alone.
Asking for help didn’t come easily.
“I’m not one to just ask for help… unless I’m really desperate,” she says.
But for her daughter, she found the courage.
She reached out at a local community centre, and from there, things slowly began to change.
“Every time I went in… it opened up another door,” she says.
That path eventually led her to CatholicCare Victoria.
Finding support and feeling seen
When Kristy connected with CatholicCare, the experience was overwhelming, but in the best way.
I just felt overwhelmed… I thought, amazing… there is people out there that do care
For the first time in a long time, she felt supported.
Not just with housing, but with everything that comes with rebuilding a life.
“It felt amazing… very overwhelming… but so great,” she says.
Kristy and her daughter were supported to settle into a home, access mental health support, and connect with services that could help them both move forward.
A future that feels brighter
Today, life looks different.
Kristy and her daughter have stability, safety, and support.
“It’s made life a lot easier… she’s very happy,” Kristy says.
With her daughter now receiving the support she needs, Kristy is beginning to think about what comes next.
“I just want to get myself back to work… get a job that I enjoy,” she says.
She’s even considering becoming a peer support worker, inspired by those who helped her through one of the hardest times in her life.
A message for others
Kristy’s experience has changed how she sees things, and she has a message for others going through something similar.
“Don’t be afraid. Don’t be ashamed. Ask for help,” she says.
For Kristy, asking for help wasn’t easy.
But it changed everything.
Strength in doing whatever it takes
Kristy’s story is one of quiet strength.
It’s about a mother doing whatever it takes to keep her child safe.
It’s about pushing through fear and uncertainty.
And it’s about finding the courage to ask for help, even when it feels impossible.
Because sometimes, that one step is what opens the door to something better.
*name has been changed for privacy reasons
