“Nathan” shares his story ...

Drug use and dealing, criminal activity and thuggery, constantly looking for and finding trouble.

That was the sum of my life before it all came to a crashing halt one day in 2017; the day when my two sons, Astin, 11, and Caleb, 7, whom I raised as a single parent, were taken from me and placed in the care of my sister.

I am Nathan and this is my story of how Hope House gave me another shot at life.

After the break-up of my relationship I began to encounter mental health problems which I tamed with methamphetamines as I tried to overcome loneliness and the loss of the only meaningful achievement in my life – my two boys.

My life began to spiral out of control to the depths of depression.

Not only was I proud of my sons but also of myself as a father. But suddenly, the sole purpose of my life had been taken from me.

I was now homeless in Goulburn, growing more depressed and hopeless by the month. I found a room at a local hotel, a veritable den of despair frequented by prostitutes, drug dealers and users, until I went to that darkest of places and attempted to take my own life.

I was admitted to the nearby Chisholm Ross Centre where I gradually overcame depression.

During my hospitalisation I made endless enquiries as to the possibilities of rehabilitation to overcome methamphetamine use, but due to extensive waiting lists and a void of facilities, the options were very limited.

Thankfully, I was offered a place at Hope House, a facility for homeless men battling substance addiction and violence issues, operated by Community Life Batemans Bay.

Hope House offers rehabilitation through a number of programs to overcome addiction and education featuring life and job skills and personal wellbeing which have changed me in the most dramatic of ways.

I came to Hope House with the belief that I couldn’t stick with rehab’; the urge to use was too strong and I’d return to Goulburn as soon as possible to resume my life of criminal activity.

Nine months later and I have beaten my urge to use completely. I no longer have any anger issues and I am a better person. Better than I or my family would have ever believed possible.

Although I am most definitely not religious, I have been welcomed into the Anglican Church community where I volunteer for many hours work each week and I have grown into the man I have always wanted to be but never realised I could be.

I have completed First Aid Certification, Traffic Controller Certification and a Certificate II in Business Studies, all part of the Hope House commitment to training and rehabilitation of clients.

With the help of Hope House Manager, Shirley Diskon, I have established my own landscaping and maintenance business, and through hard work, I’ve built a regular clientele and earn an independent income.

I am employed as a client supervisor for five nights of every week and conduct the “Anger Management” and “Assert Yourself” programs at Hope house.

I also mentor clients who have graduated from our facility and provide outreach services to ensure they receive ongoing support and guidance from the Hope House family.

I still cannot believe that I once again have a shot at a normal life. Undeniably, I owe it all to Hope House.

I now know that I will have my children returned to me and be a true role model for them as they grow – a dream on which I had given up nine months ago.

Hope House is a beacon in the community and I truly wish there were more places like it for guys who gave up on life like I did.

If you are at risk of being homeless through drugs, alcohol, gambling or mental health issues, Hope House may be your beacon of light in a dark place, as it has been mine.