Being Homeless
is Hard Work
Anita Marchesani, Donor Relations Coordinator
‘Please, I don’t want my son to sleep in the car this winter.’
Olivia never thought she’d end up here - desperate, exhausted, and living in her car with her teenage son, Grant. But when her rent jumped beyond what she could afford on a single income, and the last of her friends’ couches were no longer an option, Olivia found herself with no place left to turn.
Sadly, she’s not alone.
Right now, across Western Australia, more and more families are being pushed into homelessness. The cost-of-living crisis, paired with a severe lack of affordable housing, is forcing people - good, hardworking people - into heartbreaking situations. They’re not asking for handouts. They’re asking for a fair go.
Can you imagine waking up in a cold carpark, trying to find a way to get your child fed, clean, and ready for school, all before heading off to a job interview?
That was Olivia’s reality. Every day, she carefully balanced job interviews, housing applications, and part-time cleaning shifts - all while trying to keep Grant in school and feeling safe. With everything they owned packed into their car, even preparing for a job interview became a challenge. No iron. No proper shower. No mirror. Just quiet determination. And through it all, Olivia held on - with faith that something better had to be coming.
Grant who just turned 17, was trying to keep up with school, but the stress was taking a toll. He was tired, falling behind, and his mental health was suffering. Worst of all, he felt ashamed that he didn’t have a home to return to each day. Still, he refused to leave his mum. They were in this together.
That’s when Olivia discovered Anglicare WA’s Street Connect Bus, and everything started to shift.
She approached one of our case workers and quietly said: ‘Please, I don’t want my son to have to sleep in the car with me this winter. Can you help us?’
The answer was simple: ‘Yes, we can.’
Our Street Connect team welcomed Olivia and Grant in and immediately connected them to homelessness services. That same day, the service secured a hotel room for a week so they could rest and recover. Olivia finally felt safe. Grant finally slept through the night.
From there, things began to change. Grant was placed in safe, youth crisis accommodation and connected with financial support, so he could stay in school. His confidence began to return, and with it, his dreams for the future.
Olivia moved into temporary accommodation at a backpackers’ lodge. She received help with job applications and housing support. She was even able to select brand-new clothes from our Thread Together program—an outfit she wore proudly to her next interview.
They’re still on the journey toward a permanent home, but they are no longer alone.
At Anglicare WA, we believe, just like you do, that everyone deserves a safe place to call home. And we know that when people are supported by a strong, compassionate community, anything is possible.
We don’t see ‘homeless people.’ We see people with hopes, talents, and resilience—people who’ve had to fight harder than most to stay afloat. And with a little help, they’re finding their way forward.
Your generosity helps provide that crucial support—the hand up when someone is slipping through the cracks.
This winter, you can make sure another family doesn’t have to face the cold alone.
Please give to the Anglicare WA Winter Appeal today. Your support is the start of someone’s second chance. donate.anglicarewa.org.au