Christmas care comes full circle
(Photo: Shairon Paterson)
Now I find myself helping so many different people in all different situations, being able to give them help with Christmas hampers, food, bills [and] sometimes all they need is someone to talk to.
– Jane*
This Christmas, it’s estimated that The Salvation Army will give out around 500,000 gifts and toys, serve at least 8000 meals and will help around 300,000 people with food hampers, relief from bills, gifts and accommodation across Australia.
As Jane, a Queensland-based Salvation Army emergency relief officer and mother of five helps others this Christmas, she understands profoundly the struggles many of her clients face. Only a few years ago, she was a client of the same service.
For some time, her unemployed husband had an alcohol addiction and with only her part-time job and a large family to feed, money was tight.
“We were struggling to keep up with the rent, bills and feeding our family,” she says.
“My husband’s habit didn’t help our situation at all, he would take money out of my wallet, help himself to my bank card.
“When he drank I knew the kids and I were going to be the target of his anger. I was lost in his world and wasn’t strong enough to get out.”
A friend suggested Jane see The Salvation Army. She eventually swallowed her pride and reluctantly contacted her local service, which was the beginning of a turnaround in her life.
“I soon found I had no reason to be ashamed,” she says. “They made me feel welcome and did what they could to help me put some food on the table.
“I came in a few more times for help and heard they were having a family night with a jumping castle and barbeque, so I took the kids along and had a great night. “
Jane and her children started to attend the weekly barbecues. Her children began going to a Sunday School and youth group and Jane says she could see them “changing, becoming happier”.
However, life at home continued to deteriorate and she eventually asked her husband to leave.
For a time, things began to look brighter, and then Jane lost her job. During a visit by her Salvation Army corps officer, Jane explained her predicament.
“I told her of losing my job, concerns of feeding my kids, paying rent and bills [and] with only living on Centrelink [benefits] I wouldn’t have any money left after I paid everything,” she says.
“She then told me of a casual job as the assistant emergency relief officer at The Salvation Army becoming available. I applied for it and started work the following week.”
Able to relate to her clients’ struggles, Jane says: “I found myself being able to help people who were in similar situations to me. I found it easy to understand their problems because I had been there.”
About six months later, an emergency relief officer’s position became available. Jane applied and was given the job.
“I am so thankful to have been led to The Salvation Army because I don’t know where I would be today without the love and support they have shown me,” she says.
“I can stand [tall] today knowing I can feed my children and pay my rent and bills all because of the help they have given me.”
*Name changed
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