This Steady, Stable Era of Mine

J opens the door to his whare with a big smile and welcomes us in. It’s a crisp autumn day. His fridge is dotted with colourful magnets and the sun lights up an incredible painting on his wall.

J has been supported by DCM for over two years now, but things weren’t always like this.

“I was caught in my mind, caught in my thoughts. And that's what I've struggled with for a long time.

“I was going from home to home, or house to house, transitional housing and all that. I sort of mucked up and got into a fight and got kicked out.

“I ended up being homeless so Work and Income sent me to Loafer’s Lodge. That’s where I met a few of the guys that are with DCM. They said hey, if you’re in the same boat as us, go down and meet DCM. And sure enough, I went down and met them.

“I was quite sceptical, but I felt the love and support and that drove me to stay with DCM. The compassion they showed towards me and my lifestyle, not judging me, always supportive. That’s what I loved about them.”

With support from the counselling, foodbank and housing services made possible because of your support and generosity, J has made big changes in his life.

“Having that therapy has turned me into the person I am today. Just having my back is awesome. A lot of the time, I get pressure into going backwards and I don’t feel that when I’ve been with DCM.”

After years of insecure housing, one of the biggest changes is J’s home, where he now lives with his son. The painting on the wall is his own, titled: Beauty Amongst the Mess.

“I’ve got this whare through DCM, which was beautiful. They took the time to find a place that would match where I was at with my life and not a place that was going to bring me backwards.

“I feel at home, I’m able to relax. Throughout my life of being through transitional housing, it’s been very unsettling. I’m safe, I’m secure, I can raise my son here and that’s the beauty of it.”

And what about the future?

“This community of DCM has been a blessing and it’s turned my life right around. My hard work is the gift I want to give back. I want to use these tools in my own life to raise my own kids and help others, because caring and helping others is a beautiful thing.

“I'm in this steady, stable era of mine, raising my son. I want to find the time to get into the things I love, work and carry on with my art.

“I’m grounded now.”