Cassie* was just 17 when she was forced to leave home after a breakdown in the household relationships made it unsafe to remain there. After spending time couch surfing and living on the streets, someone suggested she contact Visionwest – within days she had safe and warm accommodation at Whare Hiwa.
“Living on the streets was terrifying. I’d been on the streets before, so it wasn’t new to me, but it was still scary, and I didn’t see a way out.”
A school counsellor suggested Cassie contact Visionwest. Here she was provided with a mentor who listened as she spoke about her life and her homelessness.
“My mentor asked me how I wanted to progress. That was nice to hear for once; to have someone asking what I wanted rather than telling me what I had to do. We worked on a support plan which included living at Whare Hiwa.
“Before I moved into Visionwest housing it was very difficult for me to navigate school life and life in general. I had all my belongings in a massive bag that I’d carry around throughout the school day. That was embarrassing and caused me a lot of physical pain. Moving into Whare Hiwa was so much better for my mental health. I felt I could go to school, focus on my work, and return home to a safe place. No longer did I feel anxious about the last bell ringing when I’d have to decide, ‘Where am I going to sleep tonight?’”
Cassie’s move into Whare Hiwa coincided with her birthday. She describes it as the best gift she could have ever asked for, “When I moved into Whare Hiwa, it was the first time I’ve ever felt like I was home and that I was in a place I truly belonged.
Because of the support of Visionwest and being able to get back on track with her schooling, Cassie will be able to go university next year. She’ll study for a bachelor’s in communications, majoring in journalism. She’s even working on a documentary about her experiences and how Visionwest has altered the trajectory of her life.
“Having the opportunity to express the things I went through in a safe environment has motivated me to share my story to help others know they are not alone. There are places out there they can go to for help and Visionwest is one of them.”
*Name has been changed.