Every homeless person has a story – and the more you hear, the more you realise that often it’s personal tragedy and misfortune that sets a person on the path to homelessness.
We first met Tom* after we received a call from a concerned Mission Australia supporter – she was worried about a man who had taken up residence on the steps of a Sydney shopping centre.
Tom was initially reluctant to accept help, but it was clear that he was in dire need of care. Tom, aged 61, was underweight, long-haired, barefoot and wearing tattered clothes. After we spent some time with Tom, he cautiously shared his story with us.
Tom grew up on an isolated farm in rural Victoria with his brother Pete* and their mother, who battled a lifelong mental illness. Tom left school in Year 10 and started a career as a fitter and turner. He lived a simple life, earning enough money to get by.
But five years ago Tom was made redundant when his factory closed down and he struggled to find another job in the small rural town. When he could no longer scrape together the rent, Tom had no choice but to move to Sydney to live with Pete.
Tragically, not long after Tom moved to the ‘big smoke’, Pete was killed in a car accident. Depression and anxiety soon gripped Tom. No longer able to afford the high Sydney rent, Tom moved into an illegal boarding house. He made some money doing odd jobs, but never enough to escape his situation.
The chaotic environment of the boarding house intensified Tom’s anxiety and depression. The other residents were drug users and tried to steal the few possessions Tom owned. He became isolated and withdrawn, untrusting and suspicious of everyone.
When things become unbearable, Tom took to the streets – begging from passersby and rummaging through garbage bins for food. Eventually he settled in the alcove of a suburban shopping centre, where Mission Australia outreach staff came to know him.
Within days of hearing Tom’s heartbreaking story, we built up enough trust with this fragile man for him to accept a new pair of shoes and socks. We offered him a bed in an emergency accommodation service, but it took several weeks before he could even bring himself to get in the van with us.
Now Tom is almost ready to move into supported accommodation, and has taken another big step – he’s had a haircut. Feeling much more positive about the future, he is even talking with Mission Australia staff about enrolling in a TAFE course and finding a job.
You can help Australians like Tom by making a donation to Mission Australian’s Winter Appeal. Every contribution will help us to prevent individuals and families from spiralling into the homelessness.
* Names have been changed to protect identities.
We first met Tom* after we received a call from a concerned Mission Australia supporter – she was worried about a man who had taken up residence on the steps of a Sydney shopping centre.
Tom was initially reluctant to accept help, but it was clear that he was in dire need of care. Tom, aged 61, was underweight, long-haired, barefoot and wearing tattered clothes. After we spent some time with Tom, he cautiously shared his story with us.
Tom grew up on an isolated farm in rural Victoria with his brother Pete* and their mother, who battled a lifelong mental illness. Tom left school in Year 10 and started a career as a fitter and turner. He lived a simple life, earning enough money to get by.
But five years ago Tom was made redundant when his factory closed down and he struggled to find another job in the small rural town. When he could no longer scrape together the rent, Tom had no choice but to move to Sydney to live with Pete.
Tragically, not long after Tom moved to the ‘big smoke’, Pete was killed in a car accident. Depression and anxiety soon gripped Tom. No longer able to afford the high Sydney rent, Tom moved into an illegal boarding house. He made some money doing odd jobs, but never enough to escape his situation.
The chaotic environment of the boarding house intensified Tom’s anxiety and depression. The other residents were drug users and tried to steal the few possessions Tom owned. He became isolated and withdrawn, untrusting and suspicious of everyone.
When things become unbearable, Tom took to the streets – begging from passersby and rummaging through garbage bins for food. Eventually he settled in the alcove of a suburban shopping centre, where Mission Australia outreach staff came to know him.
Within days of hearing Tom’s heartbreaking story, we built up enough trust with this fragile man for him to accept a new pair of shoes and socks. We offered him a bed in an emergency accommodation service, but it took several weeks before he could even bring himself to get in the van with us.
Now Tom is almost ready to move into supported accommodation, and has taken another big step – he’s had a haircut. Feeling much more positive about the future, he is even talking with Mission Australia staff about enrolling in a TAFE course and finding a job.
You can help Australians like Tom by making a donation to Mission Australian’s Winter Appeal. Every contribution will help us to prevent individuals and families from spiralling into the homelessness.
* Names have been changed to protect identities.
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