Melanie takes control of her life again

December 1, 2025

It was 2nd February 2024 and Melanie had just been released for jail. “It’s a strange feeling coming out of jail because it’s like you’re starting your life from scratch,” Melanie explains. “From jail I was taken to a hotel in Hornsby, and I was like, ‘OK so now what?” Melanie is forever grateful to the person who suggested she drop into the Dom’s Place homelessness hub. “Everyone at Dom’s Place rallied around me and within two weeks they’d found me transitional housing. CatholicCare has given me everything I needed to sort my life out.”

Melanie had spent her 20’s living with a partner who controlled her life and was physically and psychologically abusive.  At an age when her friends were discovering how to live more independently, Melanie did the opposite. She ended up relying fully on a person who she couldn’t trust. She lost her job, her bank account and her core group of friends.

After being released from jail, Melanie wanted to start living a healthy adult life, but she didn’t know where to start. “I felt overwhelmed and didn’t know how to move forward with my life,” Melanie explains. “I had no one around to support me. My ex-partner had died, and I’d lost contact with family and friends, so I said yes to casework support.”

Over the months that followed, Melanie received casework support and started working on a plan to rebuild her life. She decided that she wanted to complete a Tafe course, pay her own rent and form healthy adult friendships.

“I am well on the way to achieving the goals I set,” Melanie says. “I want to be a social worker so I’m studying a Cert IV Community Services. I’m hoping that through my personal experiences I can give back to others.” Melanie does most of her Tafe work at Dom’s Place as it is an environment where she can focus. Dom’s Place has also provided her with healthy relationships and friends who understand what she has been through.

Until Melanie finds permanent housing, she is developing her living skills and paying rent for her room at a CatholicCare transitional housing property. Melanie contributes to the shared living environment in preparation for when she will get her own longer-term accommodation.

There are many reasons for Melanie to be hopeful about her future. With the completion of her Tafe course just around the corner, Melanie is excited to find work and seek her own independent home. Melanie is working closely with a mentor and has started rebuilding bridges with family and friends.

As she moves forward with her life, Melanie knows that Dom’s Place will always be there. “If I don’t have food for the week, Dom’s Place will sort me out,” Melanie says. “If they can help, they will.”

People can drop in to Dom’s Place when they like, no appointment is needed. We are located at 9 Leonard Street, Hornsby and we’re open between 9.30am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday. For more information call 1800 324 924 or email info@catholiccaredbb.org.au.