“Wesley Mission has given me hope. Wesley Mission has given me back trust. Wesley Mission has given me back appreciation of love,” says Martin, a recipient of housing through Wesley Mission’s Homeless Services.
“When you think you’ve lost that, and it’s irredeemable – to actually realise it isn’t lost, it’s still there, you just needed somebody to show you how to do it again.”
Martin lost his job and subsequently his home during COVID. During his experience of homelessness, he says he endured a constant battle to maintain his belief in his own self-worth because he felt the relentless attack of people’s negative assumptions and judgments. Now, the gift of a home has given him hope that he thought was lost forever.
“I’ve still got dreams, I’ve still got stuff that I can give back. I am worthwhile, I am worth something.”
Martin has come to value and appreciate the many small things that most of us take for granted. His gratitude for the security of a home, a comfortable bed and a hot shower is easy to see. But it is also clear that his home means so much more to him than just the practicalities.
Zohra, from Wesley Mission’s Homeless Services team, has supported Martin on his journey from homelessness into housing. When we meet Zohra, she is helping Martin transform his house into a home.
“It’s not only housing that we look at. It’s the journey (of all) that they need – all the support – whether that’s for their mental health, their physical health, or it’s around their finances. Everything matters … Having a home, for Martin, is stability, and having your connection, community.”
Gordon is a tenant of a small apartment near Newcastle, about two hours from Sydney, provided through Wesley Mission’s Community Housing program. We meet Gordon at the Christmas party held in the courtyard of his apartment complex of eighteen Wesley Community Housing apartments. The party is hosted by Wesley Community Housing and Wesley Missional Communities.
Gordon also reminds us that a house is more than a just home.
“I’ve been living here for about four years. I love (it when) people to come and visit me," he says, when talking about the emotional and social stability that a safe and secure housing provides. "I was stranded, left out of the world, forgotten. And Wesley helped me. They came to my rescue. To have a home for Christmas means everything.”
See Parts 1 and 2 of the WESLEY MISSION – HOME FOR CHRISTMAS story and the full catalogue of Helping Hands documentaries at helpinghands.tv. Catch up on full episodes of Helping Hands on 9NOW.
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* The Helping Hands producers are available for interview on radio, TV and online to discuss this topic. Get in touch at helpinghands.tv/contact/
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