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Twenty five years of emotional pain has taken its toll on Bill’s life.  The day before he turned thirteen his father committed suicide.  Coping poorly with the emotional trauma this caused, Bill turned to whatever he could to ease the pain. Talking about his teenage years Bill says that he just got more and more into drugs and alcohol.  “I was running amok, never really able to hold a steady job or even manage a steady life”.

Bill grew up with his alcoholic father who became violent and, “used to bash me and Mum around a bit”, he said. Through his younger years he was regularly in and out of women’s shelters with his Mum.

As time went on, Bill endured years of homelessness, living where ever he could to find shelter and doing whatever it took to get drug money.  At one stage he lived in a brothel.  It was here he developed his addiction to methamphetamine and Speed. 

Bill knew that he needed to get his life back together.  Last year he was referred to Serenity House, City Mission’s sobering up and time out centre near Burnie.  From there he went to Missiondale and completed a residential rehabilitation program, then on to City Mission’s crisis accommodation facility in Launceston.  In December last year, Bill moved into Orana House as a long term resident.

Several weeks ago Bill turned thirty eight.  He said, “It’s the first birthday in years I didn’t turn to booze to numb the past”. Instead, he enjoyed dinner with other residents at Orana, which he now calls home, and turned in for an early night.

There are many true stories like Bill’s we can tell.  Some of them don’t have a happy ending like this one.  Please help us as we continue to offer a hand up to those who need it by donating to the City Mission Winter Appeal. 

Click on the donate button above.

Keep our food supplies full this winter - take up the challenge

1,000 Can Challenge Leader Board - Week 2

Can your organisation collect 1,000 cans in 10 weeks?

Register now - Phone 6335 3000. 

Challenge ends August 5