We’ve got no shortage of characters at The Wayside Chapel, but few have touched our hearts quite like Trigga. Living at the intersection of love over hate, his experiences and dreams depict a man full of compassion, quiet reflection and ultimately, hope.
Trigga has been coming to Wayside for over a decade, one constant in a life punctuated by homelessness, addiction and prison. “I started on drugs when I was 10 years old, out in Cabramatta. I can’t really remember how it started, my brother probably, he used some drugs and I probably wanted a bit. Then I got kicked out of home age 10, and got into crime and drugs on the street”.
Aged 10 and homeless, Trigga says he was lucky to be taken in by the Bankstown Boys, a street gang who took him under their wing and ensured he had the basic necessities to survive. But life was a constant challenge for Trigga—he was homeless, diagnosed with drug psychosis and schizophrenia at age 17, and in and out of prison and juvenile detention centres. “It’s not easy, it’s hard as. Especially when you’ve been doing it for 20 years, or all your life, it’s not as easy just to give it all up and turn around. You’re sort of immune to doing it every day, and no matter how hard you try to get out of it, you just keep falling back into it”.
“I’ve nearly died from drug overdoses a fair few times—speed, cocaine, benzos, heroin. And I’ve had no one there to help me, I’ve overdosed and people have just left me in the gutter. I nearly died a couple of times and I thought ‘if I keep on going I will die’”.
So in a testament to his resilience and strength, Trigga recently made the decision to get clean, coming to Wayside for emotional support as well as practical assistance with housing, food and showers. “It’s helped me a lot; I’ve got my own clothes, toiletries and showers. It makes you feel better; it’s better than walking around dirty in dirty clothes. I can’t handle being dirty, even though I’m on the street, I’m one of the cleanest streeties here”.
Trigga says his first mission is stable housing, and from there he’d love to work as a chef. “When I had my own house I used to cook a lot and I’d have friends over and I’d cook for them too. It’s hard work, but I like cooking. And the best part is when you’re cooking you’ve got to try it, you’ve got to taste some”.
His aim is to spend more time at Wayside and away from other people who use, to keep him on track. “I’m spending lots of time at Wayside; I come here every day now and just kick back, instead of being on the street. Plus, I’ve got lots of friends here to say hello to, I like the company”. More than anything though, Trigga is motivated by a desire to support a family and settle down. “I want a family. When I pass way, I want to at least have kids and a Mrs there. I reckon there’s a partner for everyone, it’s just a matter of finding them”.
You can support vulnerable people living on and around the streets of Kings Cross by making a donation to The Wayside Chapel.
