At ACSO we are continually being educated and inspired by the lived experience of our clients. Many of them have come from the toughest circumstances, yet even with the odds stacked against them they manage to build a good life for themselves.
One recent standout story comes from McCormack Housing resident EK. EK has a history of serious violent offences, and before he found a place with McCormack Housing he had been in and out of prison three times. But, post-release, he was determined to get himself together and build a new life.
McCormack Housing provided EK with the stability he needed to find work, to get into a routine and find a rhythm. These supports were integral to giving EK the boost he needed to return to the community. This time EK didn’t reoffend. Instead, he saw out his parole in McCormack Housing.
During this time, he was also granted custody of two of his children. It is an unusual event for Child Protection Services to grant someone with an offending record custody of children, and evidence of the impressive effort EK had made in rehabilitating himself. With close collaboration between McCormack Housing and Child Protection Services, EK was able to reside with his two children in McCormack Housing while he worked with the two services on a more permanent solution from him and his children.
In feedback to the McCormack House team, EK said:
“I would never have thought in a million years that I would get custody of my kids, and I couldn’t have done it without McH. Thanks to McH for everything you have done for me and my family.”
When he exited McCormack Housing, EK exited with his two children into a new family home. A proud Gunaikurnai man, he is well supported by the Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency (VACCA). The children’s schooling and welfare have both improved since they returned to live with their father.
Stories like these remind us of why we do what we do. One of ACSO’s core values is belief in humanity, and stories like EK’s remind us that our belief is well placed. With the right support, many individuals who might otherwise remain caught in the cycle of recidivism have the potential to become safe and active members of their communities.
Sylvia Cassar, Operations Manager at McCormack Housing, puts it this way:
“I don’t see you as you are on paper – that’s who you were when you offended – what I want to know is who are you today? Who could you be tomorrow?”
McCormack Housing provides a wraparound service model and between 6 and 12 months of stable accommodation. During this time, tenancy officers work closely with participants, identifying needs and creating tailored housing plans to exit tenants into safe, affordable, and accessible housing. If you’d like to learn more about the valuable services McCormack Housing provides for individuals who have come into contact with the criminal justice system, click here: mccormackhousing.org.au