Sarah’s story: The power of safety and security for a young family at Haven House Ruth.
For Sarah* and her two children, having a safe place to stay changed everything. After years of experiencing family and domestic violence, Sarah made the incredibly difficult decision to leave with her children. They had to walk away from their home, their community and everything familiar to them. With serious concerns for their safety, staying nearby simply wasn’t an option.
In October 2024, Sarah and her children arrived at Haven House Ruth, a home built by the Property Industry Foundation for The Salvation Army. Behind the front door was something the family desperately needed: a place where they could feel safe. Sarah and her children could start rebuilding their lives.
Safety Creates a Foundation
Sarah’s story changed when she arrived at Haven House Ruth (SHINE), her first priority was her children. Their schooling had been disrupted by the instability and violence they’d experienced, and Sarah wanted to give her children a chance to return to a normal.
With a stable home around them, both children were enrolled in primary school and began attending regularly. They were also able to take part in activities many children take for granted, including extracurricular activities and school camp. These experiences represented something much bigger: the opportunity to simply be children again.
Building Towards a New Future
With more stability in their lives, Sarah could begin looking ahead and building a new future for her family. She began working towards Australian citizenship, an important milestone that opened up more pathways to long-term housing and support, and was approved to attend her citizenship ceremony.
Sarah and her children received support to begin healing from what they had experienced. When she felt ready, Sarah returned to counselling and began working through the trauma of the past. Her children were supported as they settled into school, built new routines and began experiencing the stability and sense of normality they had been missing.
Built by an Industry That Cares
None of this would have been possible without the organisations that came together to help make this Haven House Ruth a reality. From expertise and materials to time, resources and ongoing support, every contribution played a part in creating a safe and welcoming home for young people who need it most.
We acknowledge our Building Partner, Saltair Modular, and Key Industry Supporters, Build-Apps, Harcourts, King Living, Milliken and Noosa Council, whose collective support helped bring this project to life and create a safe home for young Australians experiencing homelessness.
Our Charity Partner, The Salvation Army, plays an equally important role, providing the support and services that help young people make the most of the safety and stability their new home provides.
*Name changed and imagery of young person created by AI to protect privacy.
