"Almost overnight, my life changed dramatically. The relationship I was in broke down due to domestic violence. I had to flee that situation and leave my job.

My perfect life was in ruins. I became a single parent with no security, and for the first time in my life, I felt what it was like to struggle.

But I survived. I moved to the eastern suburbs, rented an apartment and took a casual job as a cleaner as my son started school.

But financially, things got worse. My rent increased, my son’s child support was not being paid and I was getting deeper and deeper into debt.

In 2008 I decided to go back to university to update my skills and qualifications as a graphic designer. I wanted to get a good job to support myself and my son.

Donate to the Wesley Christmas Appeal today and help families just like Jennifer.

I sold everything we owned to try and stay in my private rental but eventually, I just couldn’t keep up. I was evicted.

Now with a bad rental history, no bond and no job, my chance of getting back into the private rental market was virtually impossible. I was homeless.

I was told that there was a 15 -20 year wait for government housing so my next port of call was Wesley. The staff at Wesley were welcoming and non judgemental of my situation.

I saved what I could while Wesley helped me with the essentials like phone cards, petrol vouchers, access to the internet, my son’s Christmas present and most importantly food.

When you are homeless everything breaks down. If you don’t get assistance, you don’t eat properly, you get rundown, your appearance declines your self esteem plummets. You lose touch with people and your employability decreases. It’s a downward spiral.

I will never forget the trauma and shame of not having enough food to feed my family but I will also never forget what Wesley has done for me. Without the essentials they provided me, I would not have my life back on track on. I have graduated from university with great employment prospects, I have found permanent affordable Government supported housing and gradually I am rebuilding both mine and my son’s life.”

You can support people just like Jennifer and her son. Help someone get their life back on track by donating to the Wesley Christmas Appeal Today.