Category: Homelessness
One young mum rewrites her future
At just 20 years old, Sarah has lived more than many twice her age. From the age of 13, Sarah experienced the harsh realities of homelessness. But today, she stands proudly as the leaseholder of her very own home, with her young son by her side.
Mary Mac’s Place. A Lifeline. A Family. A Home.
Discover how Mary Mac's Place provides vital support and essential supplies for families in need, like Keira's. From arriving as a pregnant mum with a little baby to now raising three children who have grown alongside Mary Mac’s, Keira’s journey is deeply intertwined with this special community.
Creating space for safety this International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day (8 March) is an opportunity to reflect on the realities women face, and the responsibility we share to remove the barriers that prevent safety, recovery and long-term wellbeing.
70 coffees for one great cause – Dom’s Place!
Eight Dom’s Place visitors recently completed barista training but the coffee cart isn’t just about serving coffee - it’s a practical way for them to develop pre-employment skills while contributing to the community.
Thinking outside-the-box to house families in crisis
Housing a family in crisis presents many challenges. Read how two families in Sydney cope after escaping domestic violence.
Support without stigma – the non-clinical model of Dom’s Place
Discover how Dom's Place offers effective homelessness support without stigma, fostering a supportive and non-clinical atmosphere.
Blake chooses to leave his old life behind
For as long as Blake can remember, he has yearned for community and connection. Growing up in social housing with a mum who tried her best but faced many challenges, Blake longed for a place to belong. His search took him from drug dens to prison cells and ultimately, into a life of homelessness.
Homelessness week 2025 – a glimpse into Jarrod’s reality
Jarrod, 22, is a regular visitor at Dom’s Place, CatholicCare’s drop-in centre in Hornsby that offers connection, support, and essential services to people experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity.
At the mercy of his perpetrator
For several months, 66 year old Peter lived between hotels. As he grappled with memory loss and substance use, Peter would rely on the goodwill of hotel owners and acquaintances for shelter.
Every Monday, I look half decent again!
You can tell it’s Monday at Mary Mac’s Place by looking at the queue for the shower. “Weekends are long because everyone is hanging out for Mary Mac’s to open again,” Steve says, who has been a companion at Mary Mac’s for 20 years.
I don’t even know if I would have survived homelessness
Peter never expected to be homeless. Five years ago, he was a married father of four kids, a high-end wall paperer for Sydney’s rich and famous. Learn how CatholicCare rescued Peter from despair and homelessness.
I didn’t realise I was homeless
Life would look vastly different for David, if not for the support of CatholicCare’s Together Home Program and Dom’s Place. “This place saves lives,” David says as he looks around. Now that he has a safe place to call home, David is committed to making his life a meaningful one.