Kathryn

Welfare

Faced with the stark reality of no money and her children going hungry, Kathryn came to The Salvation Army Community Ministries for help.  

‘I was going through a bad patch in my life and had only $30 left, and no nappies or food,’ says Kathryn.

‘I was going through a partner crisis, had lost all my friends and was alone. I was really stressed.’

Kathryn says she was initially embarrassed to ask for a food parcel but felt that the Sallies didn’t judge her. ‘They just told me that a lot of people are in this kind of situation and I felt accepted.’

She then agreed to get budgeting advice, realising that learning how to make the most of her limited income was the best way for her to help herself.

Kathryn has made great strides with her finances. After getting a part-time job with The Salvation Army she was able to get off the domestic purposes benefit after many years.

‘It was a big achievement to get to a stage where I was not reliant on government assistance,’ says Kathryn who is now working at Salvation Army Community Ministries helping others in need and studying towards a university qualification.

‘I can use my experiences to help others and to give something back.’

Like most single parents, she doesn’t have much extra money and still struggles to get by when unexpected expenses come up.

‘I still need occasional assistance from The Salvation Army and it’s nice to know that there’s someone there who can help.’