Feeling alone and isolated

When Gino walked into Melbourne’s Ozanam House for the first time, his life had taken a devastating turn. Having lost his job, his home and cutting family connections, he had been wandering the streets of Melbourne for several years, experiencing homelessness, feeling alone, isolated and grappling with despair.

Initially simply seeking a meal, Gino soon realised Ozanam House also was a safe place, where he could quietly sit at a table reading, away from the chaos and deafening and often frightening noise of the outside world. The atmosphere, created by VincentCare’s support team, allowed him to breathe again - even if just for a moment.

Gino returned daily. Over time, support workers began to sit with him, engaging in gentle conversations that acknowledged his struggles without diminishing their severity. They listened as he shared his feelings of isolation and longing for his family, which he admitted was the hardest part to cope with.

Gradually, Gino began to be open to VincentCare staff suggestion to connect him to a range of services, including physical and mental health care, financial counselling, and legal assistance – all services conveniently housed in Ozanam House to make them easily accessible. They also supported him in his search for transitional housing, helping him rebuild the foundations of his life. Today, Gino is giving back to his community being a client volunteer supporting others and has reconnected with his family.

“When I was homeless, I felt like I was trapped in a crushing dark hole – just fear lurking around me, eating away my mind. I didn’t want to talk because I had forgotten how to, and I was full of shame. Ozanam House became my safe space, and the people here helped me to find the courage to ask for help. They pulled me out of my hole. For that, I will always love them.”

VINCENTCARE'S INNER MELBOURNE COMMUNITY HUB
The Inner Melbourne Community Hub is based in North Melbourne and Fitzroy and provides a range of services including crisis accommodation, intensive case management, drop-in support, health promotion, meals, and social inclusion activities.

*Names and images changed for privacy reasons