Hear from the inspirational women that we support, who have shared their stories and experiences with you. We hope you read this newsletter with a sense of achievement; our work with women is only possible due to the generous support of the community.
OUR VOICES Real Women, Real Lives, Real Stories
Our IMPACT Real Women, Real Lives, Real Stories
Revarah’s* Story
I’ve now found purpose in my life at 46 years of age. I have now set myself a goal to become a social worker, and will go to University to get qualified. I would like to help young girls who are experiencing homelessness. I’ve found my purpose and want to give back and help those who have also experienced what I have in life. Lately I have been engaging more in the Catherine House Women’s Centre. It’s taken me a lot of time to find my feet, to tie up loose ends and work on my personal life, so I have more time to explore the different classes and courses on offer. I’ve been to a few classes like beading and stretching, and I found them really relaxing. I also plan to join the music group because I love singing and I’ve never been able to take singing lessons because I could never afford them. The Women’s Centre is the hub of Catherine House. It is crucial to Catherine House as it connects you with the community. I have felt socially isolated in life, so being a part of the Catherine House community, in a supportive environment where women care, is important to me. I know Catherine House care about me because of the product orders I receive each month. When I first arrived at Catherine House, and realised I could place orders for products like toiletries I couldn’t usually afford, I cried at the kindness that was coming from the general community. Having the safety and stability of housing at Catherine House has also helped me overcome a ten year nicotine addiction. I have also recently bought a car which is suited to my needs and gives me more independence. I find that the more I immerse myself in the Recovery Program and Women’s Centre, the more accepting I feel of myself. It’s helping me build my self-worth as I have come from a background of trauma. The fact that I can always connect back with Catherine House, and I can always drop into the Women’s Centre, makes a big difference. I can’t wait to keep working on my goals and becoming a social worker to help others, like Catherine House has and still continues to help me."
I first admitted I was homeless to my Gp. I didn’t know what to do. She put me in touch with the Medical Centre’s social worker, and she rang Catherine House on my behalf. Just a few weeks later, I was placed within a Catherine House cottage. My own home, my own garden. It was amazing to have a roof over my head, and I even had my own small backyard. My mother and I, before she passed, used to garden together and that was our bonding time. To have the opportunity to do some gardening at Catherine House was so special and part of my recovery. I first heard about the Catherine House “Live Your Best Life and Plan for Your Future ” course through a friend who had done it, and was really enjoying it. When my case worker suggested it, I signed up. When I walked into the class, the energy was really exciting and vibrant. Sharon (the Education & Employment Officer) just made us feel really welcome and cared for. She told us that we have a voice, and this is a safe space to learn - together. Sharon’s class is a lot more than just finding a job and a clear pathway for the future. It's about tapping into who you are and what you can achieve. I also learned how to stand up for myself and do what’s best for me, even if it means saying no to others. I had left school early, and had never really had a clear plan for my future. I never found myself or had any direction. Sharon and my classmates helped me through that and led me to truly find myself.
Hear from the inspirational women that we support, who have shared their stories and experiences with you. We hope you read this newsletter with a sense of achievement; our work with women is only possible due to the generous support of the community. At Catherine House we work with women to end their homelessness - for good.
Michelle’s* Story
Catherine House opens its doors with trust and integrity to women who want to break the cycle of street living and find a deeper sense of purpose and contribution. Both unique and trauma informed, Catherine House is a resource for solutions to complex issues, and enables community living without shame or stigma. Learning together is paramount, as is paving the way to a different narrative. Catherine House highlights the importance of working with personal aspirations however diverse – enabling their clients to dream big, paint the future they want and work toward it realistically, step by step. Case Managers provide efficient, unfaltering service to Clients, with weekly Case Meetings enabling a talk space for anything that is arising. Progress is charted and there are frequent reviews, making the program comprehensible and accessible. Catherine House offers a unique response to social issues, enabling clients to try, envision, achieve and reside simultaneously. It came to be at the conclusion of my journey at Catherine House that I was invited to write a reflection of my time with Catherine House and how it impacted me. I was successfully supported through a goal and value-based recovery at Catherine House. I entered from a position of chronic illness and homelessness, and exited the Recovery Program into permanent residential accommodation with a future of greater stability. All the latter was imbued with grace and care.
With investment and generosity, lives are made better."
This particular client reflected on her time at Catherine House during a period of great change – she had just accepted an offer of long-term, secure housing with our partners at Common Ground, Housing Choices South Australia.
*Names changed to protect the identity of the women we support.
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juley's poem
One of our clients presented this beautifully coloured card to one of our workers, Carol. She accompanied it with this poem that is incredibly insightful:
"To Carol, pictures in Colours fade too! A sandcastle gets smashed by waves It's not forever I'm a distant girl Writing myself every day The ink that stains Will fade off every page Love letters wither away Things don't last They break People aren't forever Eventually their presence fades That's why we take pictures To help remind us of those blank faces Those memories that took place."
International Women’s Day
We held our annual event in our Women’s Centre, listening to inspirational stories from the women we support, and enjoyed two stunning performances from the Catherine House music group. For a few of the women it was their first time performing and they all did such a wonderful job! This year three clients interviewed women from the community about their lives and what International Women’s Day means for them. It really was such a beautiful morning recognising and celebrating the achievements of women. International Women’s Day at Catherine House is always a very special occasion, celebrated with staff, clients and supporters.
christmas at Catherine House “It was amazing to have a full Christmas Lunch with so many options available. It made me feel special and part of a community”
Newfound Courage Transforming Lives
Initially as a Catherine House client I had not anticipated my affiliation would continue upon my departure, flourishing into an empowering new venture of speaking of my experience of homelessness. As a volunteer guest speaker, I am offered an opportunity to advocate and create awareness for women experiencing homelessness, publicly sharing my lived experience. My first participation was a Catherine House International Women’s Day event speaking about Gender Bias reflecting on the impact it has had on my life. Intimidated and struggling to identify any value in my story I apprehensively delivered my first speech. I had not expected the emotional response displayed by the audience, with several members approaching me to share how they were moved. With feedback on my courageous display of vulnerability and eloquent communication style, I received the gift of realisation that my self-concept did not equate to the concept identified by others. As the momentum grew so did invitations received from Community and Industry Leaders to speak at their events. With each experience I grew stronger and more courageous thanks to the introduction of this healthier new self-perception. Understanding my previous negative self-concept was a construction of my own internal dialog, I am therefore able to recreate it to that of my own choosing. This sense of empowerment has given me permission to embrace future experiences, ensuring my approach has a clear purpose and deliberate intent. The significance of understanding both agency and structure and how it is responsible for the identification of self, I have since realised I can proceed with confidence and engage in interactive communication with trust in my skills and abilities. With this newfound courage I aim to enhance my impact through sharing my story and courageously embrace my passion for this worthy cause. With each engagement more successful than the last, it is increasingly important to capture the motivation of each event. Particularly the clarity of self -perception that has enabled this success. As I enter my ninth commitment, I intend to continue to welcome each experience and embrace the required courage and strength. I am honoured to have this opportunity and intend to continue using my voice to represent the many women who have yet to find theirs.
Christmas is always a special occasion at Catherine House, thanks to our generous supporters who make sure our clients receive gifts and a beautiful meal on the day. At a time of year where our clients may feel more isolated than usual, it means the world to be able to provide them with something special to brighten their day. Special thanks to Adelaide Central Market Authority and Austral Meat for providing beautiful produce and meat on the day and Nonna's Cucina and Rosa Matto for their assistance in preparing the meal! “I’m thankful I had somewhere to celebrate Christmas with a full belly and a smile on my face” “Thank you. It’s so wonderful to have somewhere to go for Christmas and not have to be alone”
THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS GOVERNMENT PARTNERS
We proudly partner with SA Health, Department of Human Services, Department for Correctional Services and Department for Education.
MAJOR EDUCATION PARTNERS
MAJOR PARTNERS
MAJOR IN-KIND PARTNERS
reception@catherinehouse.org.au
PO Box 6031 Halifax Street Adelaide SA 5000
ABN 32 944 754 177 ABN 32 944 754 177 Tel: (08) 8232 2282 Fax: (08) 8223 7548
Charity Licence CCP2586 Charity Licence CCP2586
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