At just 15 years old, Tim began drinking. Alcohol provided comfort and confidence, becoming a dangerous coping mechanism for his struggles. But the temporary relief it offered soon spiraled into chaos. “Hopelessness was where I was at,” recalls Tim. "You're on the street, down there thinking, ‘where am I going to sleep tonight?’"
"I had given up…My life, in one word, was a disaster," he admits. Court appearances, behavioral orders, and even a car crash into a river punctuated his descent into addiction. Tim had lost control. "Every drink came with consequences, and I felt like I was stuck in a cycle I couldn’t escape."
The breaking point came when he realised he could no longer do it alone. "The moment I realised ‘I can't do this myself, I need help’, I reached out to Jewish House because I had nowhere else to go. I was desperate."
A Safe Place to Start Anew
Reflecting on his early days at Jewish House, Tim admits checking into Jewish House wasn’t easy. "It was daunting. I was expecting a magic wand," Tim shares, "but it wasn’t that. It was a lot of hard work."
Tim credits Jewish House not just with giving him shelter but with restoring his dignity. "The cleanliness, the fresh linen—it felt like someone cared. It was a temporary place to get my head together and figure out my next step. I wasn’t discarded as hopeless."
For Tim, Jewish House became a refuge—a safe haven where he could start to rebuild his life. "When I first came to Jewish House, I felt completely broken," he recalls. "I looked out at the apartments across the road, at what seemed like normal life, and I wished I could have that."
At the time, the thought of achieving a stable, ordinary life seemed like an impossible dream. The contrast between his reality and what he saw from the window was stark, but it also sparked a flicker of hope. "I started to think, maybe one day that could be me," Tim shares.
The Path to Recovery
Slowly, with the structure, guidance, and unwavering support provided by Jewish House, Tim began to rebuild. He was given not only a roof over his head but also the tools and encouragement to imagine a future beyond survival. "They planted the seed of recovery," Tim says. "I didn’t get a miracle overnight, but the seed was planted. And over time, with effort and support, that seed started to grow."
Today, Tim is 10 years sober. "I have choices now," he says proudly. "Jewish House played an important role in the miracle of my life and my family."
Jewish House's CEO, Rabbi Mendel Kastel, describes their model of care as the emergency room. "It doesn’t matter what someone’s background is or what they’ve been through. The first thing we do is recognise they need support, and we’re here to help," says Rabbi Kastel.
Jewish House’s approach emphasises immediate relief, followed by tailored, compassionate care to help individuals find a path forward. Beyond offering safe accommodation, Jewish House provides a range of services designed to meet diverse needs.
These include Living Skills Programs to help individuals rebuild confidence and independence, NDIS services for those living with disabilities, and counselling to address mental health challenges and the underlying causes of crisis.
In addition, their 24/7 phone service ensures that anyone experiencing a crisis can access immediate support, no matter the time of day. This comprehensive, wraparound model connects people like Tim with the tools and resources they need to regain stability and work toward a brighter future.
The Growing Need for Support
Tim’s story is one of thousands that Jewish House has helped transform, but the need for their services continues to grow. Currently they are operating at 100% capacity every night. "We’re always scrambling to find a bed for someone, but the need is huge. We turn away five to ten people daily because we just don’t have enough beds or resources. It’s heartbreaking," says Rabbi Kastel.
"Every person we have to turn away is a missed opportunity to make a difference. We know the impact we can have, but we need the resources to do it," he continues. “Tim is just one person. Over the years we've helped thousands of people and that's why support from the community is so important”.
A Night of Light: Creating Brighter Tomorrows
On Thursday, November 21, Jewish House hosted its annual gala, A Night of Light, to raise critical funds for families and individuals facing crises. The event celebrated our growing impact while raising awareness about the ongoing need for services like accommodation, case management, mental health support and advocacy.
While we are incredibly grateful for the generosity shown at the gala, the need for crisis care remains greater than ever. Every donation, no matter the size, makes a tangible difference in the lives of those in need.
Be the light in someone's darkest hour. Your generosity today can create brighter tomorrows. Donate now.
