2nd edition 2013
ThiS issue: - HOPE AND ‘HOME’ FOR RECOVERY CLIENTS - TRANSFORMING WITH NEW OPPORTUNITIES - PRAISE FOR A LIFE OF SERVICE
Wills Update
YOUR WILL A GIFT OF A LIFETIME
News & stories from The Salvation Army Wills & Bequests team
Hope and ‘home’ for recovery clients
For most of his life Nigel says he “never touched drugs” and had no addiction issues, yet within a few short years, the once senior Canberra Treasury advisor, who had been earning a six-figure salary, had lost his home and was living in his car. He eventually booked himself into The Salvation Army’s William Booth Recovery Services Centre for addiction to prescription medication. Now eight months into the recovery program, Nigel says he is so thankful to have the chance to reassess his life and faith. Nigel served for eight years in the Australian Defence Force and went on to work as a policy advisor in government agencies. During that time, he also worked on a number of COAG (Council of Australian Governments) taskforces. Later “headhunted” and offered a new job interstate, Nigel sold his home and moved. But, he says, for the first time in what had been a bright career, he “suffered physical bullying” and lost his job. He says the experience “hit hard”. With access to stimulant medication (he had been diagnosed earlier with adult ADHD) Nigel eventually began “doctor shopping” for multiple scripts.
Photo: Shairon Paterson
“I was in a really dark, lonely place before I came in here, so, when I came through the doors (and that’s why I love The Salvation Army) just to have that genuine caring and warmth and support – that was like gold.” – Nigel
Nigel says he is “humbled and thankful” for the support he has received.
Life soon spiralled out of control. “I am staggered at how quickly it can happen,” says Nigel. Now undertaking the Bridge program at the William Booth service in Sydney’s Surry Hills, Nigel says: “I have been here about eight months and … it has saved my life.” He has shared his story with business leaders and Rotary groups, and now wants to spend his life “investing in others” rather than chasing money and career. “I am very humbled and very thankful (for the support),” he says. Recently, residents of the service (which offers an abstinence-based residential rehabilitation program for around 500 men and women each year who have drug, alcohol and/or gambling issues) benefitted from a complete gutting and rebuild of the first floor. Salvation Army Major Bob Seymour, the service manager, says
the service effectively becomes “home” to participants. The first floor bedrooms and a detoxification unit had only minor repairs over the past 40 years and, he says, had a deeply “institutional” feel. Made possible in part through the generosity of bequest funding, Bob says of the renovation: “What we wanted to do was change the whole appearance of the place, add a great deal of colour and use the space much more effectively. “We have also been able to build more indoor recreational space. Being a bit of a bunker of a building in Surry Hills, we don’t have outdoor recreational space.” Since the upgrade, the service is now also able to offer a detoxification service for women. Bob says he is thankful to donors who have helped make the service upgrade possible and says: “The support changes people’s lives significantly!”
Wills Update
2nd edition 2013
Transforming with new opportunities “There is real hope for kids who may have disengaged from school and life. We want all our kids here to be equipped before they turn 18, either with accreditation, or with a level of confidence knowing that they can work effectively and be accepted.” Moe Turaga
Like all too many of the young people who participate in The Salvation Army’s Tom Quinn Centre Social Inclusion Program (SIP), Damien arrived lacking confidence and could barely make eye contact. According to the Bundaberg Tom Quinn Centre manager Tom Osborne, Damien, who has an intellectual disability, had “a rough start in life”. The once-withdrawn young man, who was still attending a local school for children with special needs, began to undertake, and excel in, a range of accredited
courses at the centre in woodwork/ furniture-making, environmental care and horticulture. As his confidence grew, he made friends and also became an enthusiastic volunteer. This led to paid work opportunities after he finished school, and Tom laughs and says today Damien is “very” chatty, confident and capable. The Tom Quinn Social Inclusion Program (one of a range of programs at the centre) is currently helping 36 young people aged 15 to 17 with mild-to-moderate disabilities, such as autism spectrum disorders, to become confident and work-ready. Participants spend two days of every school week on site at the centre. SIP co-ordinator Moe Turaga believes that the service is essential to the young people who were seriously threatened with “falling through the gaps.” “You are dealing with high-functioning skills, so they don’t fit normal disability programs, but they still have a disability,” he says. In 2012, funding to the program was cut, due to state government budget measures.
Damien’s confidence has grown through his time at the Tom Quinn Centre. Photo: Lauren Martin
The SIP was relaunched for 2013 with funding from The Salvation Army Individual Lifestyle Support
Praise for a life of service The Salvation Army’s Australia Eastern Territorial Commander, Commissioner James Condon, has praised the life and work of Ian Hudson (1917-2013), saying Mr Hudson had “a heart for those in need”. Mr Hudson, a fourth-generation member of the Hudson Timber family, took on the role of chairman of The Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal between 1977 and 1983. In 1992 he was appointed chairman of The Salvation Army Australia Eastern Territory wills and bequests committee. Mr Hudson opened one of Sydney’s earliest “do-it-yourself” shops for hardware and timber products and developed sites in and around Sydney. He was also a founding member of Rydalmere Rotary Club and became a district governor in 1966. He was invested as a commander of the most noble order of the crown of Thailand by the King of Thailand in 1978, and in 1977 was made a Member of the Order of Australia. (Reprinted in part with permission Sydney Morning Herald)
Service (SAILSS). The centre, in partnership with SAILSS, is now looking to acquire funding for the 2014 course and is working to become self-sufficient. The generosity of bequest funding recently helped develop an “enterprise centre” which includes a plant nursery, retail outlet and café. The centre offers work training, work experience and income for the service. Moe says of the SIP: “The program is very effective. It really does work!”
For credit card donations phone 13 SALVOS (13 72 58) or visit salvos.org.au | Letters and feedback welcome Published by The Salvation Army Australia Eastern Territory Communications and Public Relations Department PO Box A229, Sydney South NSW 1232 Editor: Communications and Public Relations Secretary Phone: (02) 9266 9631 ©The Salvation Army 2013 Wills & Bequest Freecall Number 1800 337 082 | salvos.org.au/wills
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