Celebrating reconnection with family and community this Lunar New Year – Jason’s story
Over the past nine months, Jason has embarked on a journey to reconnect with his family and culture. After many years of estrangement brought on by homelessness, he is eager to partake in his treasured family traditions this Year of the Rabbit.
Below: Jason on the rooftop of his affordable, long term housing.
Jason moved to Australia with his wife from Malaysia in 2008, but eight years ago, he experienced challenges with his mental health and vision loss due to glaucoma.
His vision loss severely hindered his ability to work, putting significant strain on his relationship which eventually broke down. Without a steady income and no longer having a home with his partner, Jason’s mental health worsened. He became isolated from his family and community, and eventually began sleeping rough.
At first Jason took refuge in his car, but as his vision deteriorated, it was not possible for him to maintain this option for shelter.
“I would stay sometimes outside the police station, the library, at train stations, sometimes on the street. I felt insecure, unsafe and frightened every day.”
While he was experiencing rough sleeping, Jason kept himself occupied by picking up rubbish and having conversations with members of the public, even offering to help people with small tasks where he could.
“It made me feel like I was useful, even though I had disability I can help people in other ways and then create good relationships with society.”
After some time, he became known by locals– shop owners, customers and even delivery drivers. His community began offering him help, food to eat and even a couch to sleep on sometimes.
“My community helped me. They would see me on the street, doing volunteering on the street picking up rubbish – they saw I was reliable. They’d have conversations with me and ask me about my life.”
With a renewed sense of connection to people and his community, Jason’s outlook and situation began to change. He reengaged with his brother who prompted him to connect with community health organisation, CoHealth. From there he was referred to Launch Housing who provided support and accommodation.
“Launch Housing did their job so quick and got me into transitional housing. They made me feel secure and safe. Even to have temporary housing made me feel so happy. My workers helped me a lot and I felt they cared so much about me.”
In April 2022, Jason moved into community housing through the National Affordable Housing scheme. Launch Housing supported Jason with moving costs, whitegoods and furniture including some items provided through RIMERN (Rotary Inner Melbourne Emergency Relief Network).
Jason says the combination of personal support, material aid and housing was invaluable.
“I have my own space. It’s home, sweet home.”
“In the last 9 months my life changed. My relationship with my community changed, my social life changed. Everything changed. My life is so much better, even better than before I was homeless.”
“Once I had my own shelter, long term. I felt my life was back to normal. I could finally socialise with my own family, my friends. Because before when I had no shelter, I was moving everywhere in Melbourne. I couldn’t settle.”
Since receiving support and finding stable, permanent accommodation Jason has started working for his aunt who owns a grocery store and bottle shop.
“A lot of places didn’t want to employ me because of my disability. Before, when I was homeless, I wanted to help my auntie, but without shelter it was too hard as I was moving all around.”
“Now that I have my own home, I can work. I get there on public transport and my aunt or uncle will drive me home.”
He says it makes his family happy to know he’s in an environment where they can ensure his safety and wellbeing given his significant vision impairment.
This is the second year since his homelessness that Jason will be able to celebrate the Lunar New Year with his family – a significant milestone.
“For Lunar New Year we have lots of gatherings – on Lunar New Year’s eve we all go to our relative’s house, then on New Year’s Day we go to our friends, and then the third day everyone gets together.”
“At the family gathering my mum cooks a lot of delicious food, and then we all celebrate it, eat, have a chat. Then we exchange a red packet, which we call ang pow, and we give that to the juniors or youngest.”
This New Year Jason is looking forward to “happiness, healthfulness and a peaceful mind.”
“I’m thinking more positively. When I’m able, I still like to help the community in the same way people helped me. I volunteer sometimes.”
“I pick up rubbish on the street and I give out food for the homeless people and sometimes I donate some money for them to have a shelter overnight.”
Jason says it’s important for members of the public to be patient and kind when they encounter someone experiencing homelessness, as it was so meaningful to him experiencing this from his own community.
“Don’t look down on them. You don’t know what someone might become when they get support.
“Every homeless person has their own story. Just be patient and if you’re capable, if you have any time, try to communicate with them, see what you can do help to help them.
“Because at the end of the day, we are all the same. We drink the same water from our ancestors.”