Ommy suddenly found herself homeless when she was just a teen.

“I left home because of fighting and just not being treated right. It felt safer for me at the time to be away from there… but I ended up homeless in the city.”

And if you’re a teenage girl, being homeless is especially scary.

They desperately need someone like you in their corner.

Your generous contribution can help a young person like Ommy with a safe place to live.

A place where they can learn essential life skills, like cooking and budgeting … so they can grow in confidence and independence … and look forward to an exciting new future ahead.

“When I was homeless, I carried around a suitcase that had all of my stuff in it. And I’d sleep wherever I could. Sometimes at refuges, sometimes on the street. I’ve even slept in the toilets at the Crown.”

Ommy left school, as it’s difficult to keep going if you’re spending the night in toilets or on the streets.

It’s the same thing for work. If you don’t look presentable, and you have no permanent address, it’s unlikely anyone will give you a job.

So you fall further and further behind.

Through Anchor, your gift helps young people who are homeless or at-risk of becoming homeless with a safe place to live.

Once a young person has the solid foundation of a secure home, there’s space for them to take the next steps, like: learning how to prepare healthy meals, learning how to budget, going back to finish school or starting further education, finding a job and planning for the future.

“It’s really homey and nice here. But it took me a few months to relax. I’d always think ‘oh, I’m forgetting my suitcase!’ Then I’d remember I didn’t need to carry it anymore.”

With a safe place to live, young people can slowly let down their guard and learn to trust again.

“Before Anchor, I didn’t feel like I could trust anyone… But here, I know that I’m supported and I’m going to be all right and I’ve got somewhere that I know that’s safe. I’ve got really good friends and I would trust them with anything.”