Welcome home packs provide foundation for a brighter future
A recipient of a Salvation Army ‘Welcome Home’ pack.
It means a lot to me to be able to go home. I never thought it would be possible again. – Cheree, client of The Salvation Army’s Pindari Women’s Emergency Accommodation Service.
Alcohol addiction had left Cheree homeless and in despair. Demonstrating a remarkable strength of character, she beat the odds and turned her life around after just three months at The Salvation Army’s Pindari Women’s Emergency Accommodation Service in Brisbane.
However, her addiction had stripped her of everything and so despite turning over a new leaf, Cheree had no resources to establish herself in a new home.
“Our homes are our sanctuaries,” says Pindari manager Valerie Fleming. “Without a safe place to call home we can’t maintain the basic necessities of life – a job, a family, a social network.
“Our experience and data highlights the fact that women who exit our service generally lack the resources to establish themselves with the basic necessities for their new home and so are at greater risk to cycle back into homelessness.”
Valerie says many of the women return to Pindari in the first weeks after moving into their new accommodation, desperately needing a hot meal as their funds have been used to pay for the basics of establishing a new rental or home.
In 2011, The Salvation Army’s Pindari Women’s Accommodation Service was awarded a grant through the Brisbane City Council Housing Support Funding Program, allowing staff to provide tailored “welcome home packs” to previously homeless women who are about to move into sustainable housing.
The packs are based on the individual’s needs and include linen and household appliances such as toasters, jugs and microwaves.
“Thanks to Pindari I have a fridge, a bed and bedding and now my kids can stay with me,” says Cheree.
Cheree says it was the “sisterhood” at Pindari that gave her the strength to beat her addiction.
“Everyone there has their own challenges and lifestyles, but underneath it all is a bond, a sisterhood that ties us together. You can get your life together in three months if you want to.”
Valerie believes the welcome home packs initiative is an investment in the prevention of further homelessness.
“By providing women with these packs we believe it will help their chances of maintaining tenancies, improving life skills and help with social inclusion,” she says.
“Many of the women were reluctant to invite friends, family or co-workers to visit their new homes as they didn’t even have the equipment to make a simple cup of coffee.
“It also means a portion of the women's finances can be directed to appropriate clothing and personal grooming items so that they feel empowered to seek and gain employment and, most importantly, encourage a sense of hope and pride for the future.”
Comments
No comments yet - be the first.