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Hutt St Centre

A life-changing gift, thanks to your kindness

You may remember before Christmas we introduced you to Tilly*, a young woman who found herself sleeping rough on the streets of Adelaide after moving from the country for mental health treatment.

When she eventually left hospital, Tilly had nothing but the clothes on her back. No support, no money, no friends, not even a place to stay.

Tilly found Hutt St Centre when she was at her lowest point – hungry, scared and alone. Inside, she was greeted with a warm welcome, a healthy meal, and help with the first steps to find a home.

“I have needed Hutt St many times and I’m so grateful for their help,” Tilly says.

“When I had no money for food, they gave me something to eat. At the time, I thought, ‘Where does this come from? And now I know – it’s thanks to people who give to Hutt St Centre.”

Thanks to the kindness of our community, Tilly found the support she needed, right when she needed it most. Now she’s returned to her hometown and helps people who are on their own journey of recovery from mental health issues and addiction.

“A few years ago, I was sleeping in a gutter. Now I have my own place with my dog – I have fairy lights up in my room and plants everywhere. I feel so lucky, it’s unbelievable.”

For people like Tilly, who have become disconnected from their family and friends, Christmas is a particularly tough time of year.  Many people who walk through our doors have lost everything, so the chance to find a warm welcome and a fresh start is a life-changing gift.

Your kind support means we were able to come together and share the sense of belonging we all deserve with people experiencing homelessness last Christmas.

On Christmas Day, we hosted a breakfast of croissants and coffee followed by a traditional lunch in our dining room, accompanied by live music. The Centre was decorated with Christmas cheer, and tables were set with crackers, stockings and gifts for each person, generously donated by our community of supporters.

Your kindness ensures we can be here for people at risk of or experiencing homelessness so no one has to spend their Christmas Day hungry or alone.

Thank you for making the festive season brighter and happier for people doing it tough.

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*At Hutt St Centre we respect everyone who comes to us for help – and many are working toward a fresh start in life. So while this is a true story, names have been changed to protect their privacy. Thank you for understanding.