From fear to freedom: Jenny’s journey to a new life

After escaping a 15-year marriage marked by emotional, mental, and verbal abuse, Jenny* found herself couch-surfing and uncertain of what the future held. In September 2024, with nowhere to turn and deeply affected by years of trauma, she reached out to Missionbeat for help.

Jenny’s immediate need was stable housing, but the path forward felt overwhelming. With the help of Missionbeat and HOST (Homes NSW), she was placed in temporary accommodation at Dignity House in Arncliffe.

Still emotionally distressed and unfamiliar with the complex web of support services, Jenny struggled to find her footing.

Missionbeat’s intervention began at the WISH Hub, where a case manager identified Jenny’s* most urgent need: safe, long-term housing. Using the End Street Sleeping Collaboration real time technology tool – the By Name List (BNL) — they discovered she was already connected to a lead worker.

This allowed for a streamlined collaboration between multiple agencies, including Vincentian House and the Women’s and Girls’ Emergency Centre (WAGEC).

Together, the organisations addressed Jenny’s health, housing, and financial needs. WAGEC helped her access Domestic Violence payments, while her case manager ensured swift housing applications, cutting through administrative red tape.

Thanks to this coordinated effort, within three months Jenny secured social housing in Balmain — a critical milestone in her recovery.

She now lives in a safe environment where she continues to receive mental health support and JobSeeker payments, offering financial stability as she rebuilds her confidence.

Though challenges remain, particularly regarding her emotional wellbeing, Jenny is focused on healing and has expressed her desire to re-enter the workforce when ready.

Jenny’s* story is a testament to the power of compassionate, coordinated support and the role of systems like the BNL in transforming lives.

The PAYCE Foundation is the founding philanthropic partner of the End Street Sleeping Collaboration (ESCC)

*Name changed for privacy.