Getting to know people living on the edge
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The Australian bishops’ 2025 Social Justice Statement, Signs of Hope on the Edge, was brought to life at an event hosted by the Adelaide Archdiocese and Centacare Catholic Community Services last month.
The local launch of the statement on the topic of homelessness and mental ill-health was held at Louise Place where Centacare provides accommodation and support for young mothers under the age of 18 who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Once a refuge for unmarried mothers run by the Sisters of St Joseph and then the Daughters of Charity, Louise Place is one of four places offering crisis and short-term accommodation with staff onsite for intensive support.
Anthea Francis, senior manager, Young Family Support Program, brought the focus directly to the lives of young mothers and children supported through Louise Place,
“Imagine walking out of this event this afternoon and not knowing where you will sleep tonight,” she said.
“Imagine that you are also pregnant or have small children who need a warm, safe bed to sleep in, food in their tummies or maybe a bottle to be warmed up.
“Imagine that your options are to sleep in your car or hope that a friend lets you and your child sleep on their couch.
“Maybe you go somewhere that is unsafe; maybe unsafe due to the state of the building or the location, or maybe there is someone there who makes it unsafe for you and your child. But what if there are no other options?”
Anthea said while working towards attaining safe, affordable, long-term housing was always a goal, a holistic approach was needed. This included education and training, building parenting skills, money management and addressing mental health challenges.
“We work to empower the young parents we work with,” she said.
“We endeavor to walk alongside them in their journey, and each individual’s pathway is different to the next.”
Since 1940, the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC) has released a statement for reflection and discussion ahead of Social Justice Sunday (August 31) on a key issue in Australian society.
At the Adelaide launch, Vicar General Fr Dean Marin reflected on the long history of Catholic Social Teaching and its focus on human dignity, solidarity and a preferential option for the poor.
He highlighted the deepening crisis where homelessness and mental ill-health intersect, and the moral call to respond with compassion and practical support.
Megan Welsh, Centacare executive manager – Domestic Violence, Homelessness and Youth Services, drew clear links between the statement and the reality her teams see every day.
She said last year alone Centacare supported 1285 people experiencing homelessness, of which 860 were aged 25 or younger.
“Homelessness and mental ill-health are deeply intertwined,” Megan said.
“Safe and stable housing is the foundation for recovery and wellbeing. Without it, people are caught in a cycle where isolation, poor mental health and housing instability feed each other.”
She described Centacare’s trauma-informed, wraparound approach and its advocacy for system reform, including the organisation’s role in calling for the Royal Commission into Domestic Violence in SA.
“Everyone has a name, everyone has a story. No two are the same – our job is to listen, to walk alongside, and to help people navigate towards options they may never have had access to before.”
After the launch representatives of the Sisters of St Joseph, the Hutt St Centre, St Vincent de Paul Society, Catholic Women’s League, Archdiocesan agencies and Catholic School Parents SA, visited one of the eight self-contained units and communal areas at Louise Place.
ACBC president, Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, says in the foreword to the statement that homelessness and mental health services are stretched and under-resourced, with more than 273,000 people seeking help last year.
He urges Australians to offer loving friendship to those in need.
“Many Australians find it embarrassing, uncomfortable or even confronting to see homeless people on the streets,” Archbishop Costelloe writes.
“But we encourage all who are baptised to, instead, offer loving friendship to people on the edge of society.
“Instead of walking by and not noticing the plight of our neighbours, pay attention to them and their plight, listen to their stories, and serve them with the love we learn from Jesus.”
The statement and related resources are available for download at socialjustice.catholic.org.au
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