O n Christmas Eve last year, a woman, Sharon* and her six year old daughter Ella* sought assistance from AnglicareSA’s Magdalene Centre. Sharon was distraught and had a black eye. She told staff of a fight she’d had with her ex-partner the night before and advised that he had destroyed all of the Christmas presents she had saved for and purchased for Ella. Sharon said she and her daughter had spent the previous night sleeping in her car because they did not feel safe at home. Ella told her mum that she believed it would all be OK because Santa would find her and deliver gifts no matter where they were. Magdalene Centre staff arranged for police to attend the house to determine if the ex-partner was still there and secured accommodation for Sharon and Ella over the four day Christmas break as they couldn’t return home. CHRISTMAS SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES INNEED
AnglicareSA also provided Sharon with information about accessing domestic violence support services to provide her with ongoing support. Staff also provided Sharon and Ella with food and replacement Christmas presents for Ella to open on Christmas morning. Sharon said she was overwhelmed by the support - especially when Centre volunteers snuck her out the back door of the Magdalene Centre so she could hide the presents in the boot of her car. “I thought I'd have to tell Ella the truth about Santa Claus and she's already had to grow up too fast,” Sharon said. “Thank you all so much.” Unfortunately, this isn’t a unique story. There are many people within our community who need similar support from AnglicareSA, especially at this time of year. With your generous support, we’re able to help make Christmas time a little easier for families who urgently need us. Thank you.
ELLA TOLD HER MUM THAT SHE BELIEVED IT WOULD ALL BE OK BECAUSE SANTA WOULD FIND HER AND DELIVER GIFTS NO MATTER WHERE THEY WERE.
* Names have been changed
page 10 — News about AnglicareSA, Summer 2016
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