IF NOT FOR HOPE STREET, I WOULD BE DEAD

Through an addiction to gambling John lost everything - his relationship, assets, and eventually ended up homeless. A chance encounter with someone from his local church led John to Hope Street in Woolloomooloo, where he found their services for homeless people helped him piece his life back together.

Nowadays, John lives in public housing and continues to devote several days a week to helping people who have a lot in common with him. He works in Hope Street’s Op Shop, which is frequented by the homeless community of Woolloomooloo and local public housing tenants. John says he enjoys his work at the Op Shop, adding, “I can relate to the people around here”.

Unusually, Hope Street recruits its ‘clients’ as volunteer workers. In return they receive training and assistance with life skills, to help them get off the streets or improve their quality of life.

United Way Sydney funds helped to establish this ‘Volunteer Vitality’ program. In 2007, we will be helping to fund the "Empowering individuals, Inspiring community" program – offering marginalized people, the elderly, families at risk, youth and individuals a variety of services and training to help them towards independence.