Sarah first became connected with LIVEfree Project over three years ago, at a time in her life when she was in active addiction and struggling to seek help. Sarah has a history of domestic violence and has been affected by drug, alcohol and gambling addiction for three and a half decades. When we met Sarah, every day was a struggle. Sarah was trying to overcome her struggle with addiction and keep her mental health a float, while caring for her two young children, who were aged 11 and 14 years old.
Sarah joined our Inspire Women’s group, a safe space where she could meet with other single mums who were experiencing similar struggles and they could share their stories without judgement.
‘’There’s been no judgement with my drug, alcohol and gambling past, even from the beginning when meeting you (LIVEfree Project) as I went through my addiction, support and guidance was offered without judgement. And I still don’t feel judged for having that history.”
Sarah and her family started receiving further support through our Doorstop Deliveries of groceries, emotional support and advocacy, Smile & Thrive Dental Program and attending our weekly Café Estate Breakfast program.
Sarah has since grown an immeasurable amount. Sarah is now over 200 days clean and is focusing on her recovery journey one step at a time.
“I was in active addiction for three and half decades, I’m not going to be cured overnight, it’s going to take time and I’m going to be patient. Everything’s a working progress, I’m still working on myself and I’m okay with that.”
But more importantly Sarah shares her personal journey of her self-forgiveness:
“I’ve learnt to forgive myself for the life that I’ve led and have some compassion towards myself, which has helped me with a lot of the guilt and shame around raising two children in a drug affected environment, with unstable mental health.”
Sarah is an amazingly fierce woman, she is strong, resilient and a caring mum who is working her hardest every single day to be in a better place for herself and her children.
When asked what makes LIVEfree Project different from other organisations and services, Sarah shared this:
“I think the project takes a holistic approach… you don’t just look after the individual you try to help wherever you can, it’s not just the person, it’s the environment, the kids, the home, the surrounding needs … make sure that person has what they need to survive on the right path.”
It has been a privilege to walk alongside Sarah in her recovery journey for the last three years and we’ll continue to do so for the next three and beyond. Because recovery isn’t easy, it’s not simple and we recognise that it takes time and continued support along the way.
To all our sponsors and community supporters we want to say THANK YOU!
It is your support that has allowed us to work alongside beautiful people like Sarah and her family throughout the years.
Sarah not only values the support she has received, but is now in a place where she has the capacity to show others the same support.
“When you support someone else, the most important thing is to identify the similarities, not the differences.
If I am given the opportunity to support someone, I listen for the similarities not the differences, because I can then empathise and understand to a certain degree that person’s story or journey and support them to be the best of my ability. This is an opportunity for me to give away what has so freely been given to me – support.”
Thank you for supporting LIVEfree Project this year, you have truly made a difference in the lives of the people facing extreme hardships. You have not just changed Sarah’s life for better, but the lives of many others as well.
You can continue supporting us this Christmas by being mindful in your gift giving and purchasing a present from local artisan Broken and restored – where all the profits are donated to LIVEfree Project or if you’d like to give this Christmas, you can donate here.