Starting a beautiful new chapter

Shirley, a young mother, had never known how to say no to manipulation, abuse and violence.

Living with a learning impairment, Shirley* was dependent on her ex-partner but in the wrong hands, she was taken advantage of and endured years of abuse.

When Shirley finally fled, she found refuge at the local Mission Australia Homelessness Support Service. For seven months, the women’s refuge became her home—a place Shirley could sleep without fear and distress.
Donna Davis, the program manager for Bega and Cooma Homelessness Support Services has been helping vulnerable Australians like Shirley, stand on their feet again for over a decade.

“I met Shirley at the very beginning, and we’ve worked really hard to get the best support for her,” says Donna.

This is a beautiful ending to a horrific beginning for Shirley and her smile shows how much her life has changed. Donna

Donna and her team supported Shirley through lengthy custody battles, provided her with life skills and helped her access NDIS funding. Shirley was able to secure NDIS funding and find stable and affordable housing.

“The ultimate goal is to stop the cycle of homelessness and in this case, we’ve achieved that. It’s been a long road but now she’s got the support she needs,” says Donna.
Shirley is starting the next chapter of her life with newfound confidence and independence.

We're so proud of her and grateful for the generosity of supporters like you, who give real hope and lasting change to people like Shirley across Australia.

Donna and her team are preparing for an expected increase in people like Shirley seeking support as the effects of the pandemic continue.

“We’re in for an unsettling time and we’re going to need all the support we can get. We’re trying to do our best for the people we’re dealing with but we’re going to need resources to effectively provide that support for a long time.”

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