Lisa has been a visitor of Wayside Chapel for over 15 years.
Lisa had been sleeping rough for many years before she arrived at Wayside Chapel. She didn’t have much with her when she first walked through the doors of our Kings Cross Community Service Centre over a decade and a half ago. Due to previous traumas, she struggled with mental health issues and drug addiction. Despite the challenges life threw her way, Lisa never gave up.
Lisa first heard about Wayside from other people on the streets and soon found a loving, welcoming and supportive community here. “Wayside is somewhere you can come and connect. They care about you. Wayside becomes your family.”
From food and clean clothing, to emergency housing and medical assistance, Wayside was the safe space where Lisa could seek refuge when she had nowhere else to go. During her toughest days, Lisa felt hopeless and alone. But she knew there would be someone who would listen to her and get her back on track.
“Some days, I would feel isolated and helpless. I didn’t have any family support, so Wayside would help me out with food and emergency clothes. There’d always be somebody there who cares, who would listen to me and make sure I was safe.”
Fast forward to today, Lisa is two years clean and happier than ever. Wayside supported her in finding long-term and stable housing, which gave her the security and safety net she never had.
This winter, you can provide support for people going through the same hardships and challenges. Donate to our Winter Appeal to help provide comfort and warmth to people sleeping rough on the streets of Sydney this winter. Donate here.
