Love Thy Neighbour – Annie’s Story

When Annie walked through ADRA’s doors for the first time 13 years ago, she was homeless. She had just left an abusive marriage and was on her own for the first time in 20 years. 

“When I first went to ADRA, it was because I didn’t have a place to live,” says Annie. “I was on the street. I had nowhere to go.” 

Annie heard about ADRA through other people in the homeless community. Not only did ADRA provide Annie with food support, but Annie was connected with one of the social workers who helped her access affordable housing. Since then, Annie has been living modestly, but well. She cares for her home and rescue cats with pride, and still visits ADRA for food support when her pension doesn’t stretch far enough to cover all her expenses.

“It’s not always easy to live on what you get in the pension,” Annie says. “Because you got medication and you got food, you got transport and all that. So it doesn’t always cover everything, in the pension. But if you are a little bit too short, you just go to ADRA and get help. And that then gets me back up again.” 

Annie is among the millions* of Australians feeling the pressure of the cost-of-living crisis. 

“You go into a supermarket, and everything is higher in prices than it has been before. Same with medication. But (ADRA) helps me with food. They help me with any problems I have in the area.”

But at 74 years of age, Annie is facing homelessness once again. 

“The biggest, biggest worry in my life is whether I can stay in this place,” Annie says. “I’ve got a little paradise here; I don’t want to be moved out of this. It’s largely at the back, I don’t get bothered by anyone. I love going out and cut the lawn and all that. Keep it nice and clean and say, ‘See, I can look after it.’ It’s private here. I love it. And I wouldn’t like for that to be taken away from me.”

Annie is currently connected with one of ADRA’s social workers who is helping her navigate the housing systems in an effort to keep Annie in her home. 

“If I have a problem, I know I can just go to ADRA like I’m doing at the moment,” Annie says. “I just pray to God that they do not take (my home) away from me now. I mean, I’m 74, so please let me live longer in here.”

While ADRA is helping to meet Annie’s physical needs through housing support and food relief, for so many clients like Annie, receiving emotional support is equally important. Every social interaction Annie has on her way to and from the ADRA centre, as well as once she gets there, is crucial to her wellbeing.

“It’s nice to go out and talk to people,” Annie says. “I talk to people on the bus. Before they know it, they’ve got my story. And I’ve got their story. I hate the day I’m not able to do that.”

And while Annie loves to make new friends, being able to rely on the emotional support she receives from ADRA is important.

“You’re welcome with open arms, you get the help that you need, there’s someone there to talk to you.

“Anyone who is having a problem, I can give you the advice to go to ADRA, because ADRA has been there for me for over 13 years. And that I’ve been down in the ground so far, you can’t believe it. But they always managed to get a smile on my face and give me a helping hand. Thank you.” 

In 2023, ADRA Blacktown provided over 40,000 meals to people like Annie who would otherwise go hungry. With the impact of the cost-of-living crisis being felt nationwide, the demand for ADRA’s support services has never been higher. The ADRA Appeal takes place in Adventist Churches during October and is the main source of funding for ADRA’s Australian programs. Your donation before October 31 can help Aussies in need, just like Annie, with food relief, housing support, and a safe place to go. To support ADRA projects in Australia donate at adra.org.au/donate, to support ADRA Community Centre Blacktown donate at adra.org.au/blacktown
 

* 3.3 million people in Australia, including 761,000 children, live in poverty. https://povertyandinequality.acoss.org.au/a-snapshot-of-poverty-in-australia-2022/ Accessed 01 July 2024.