Catherine House: Helping women in need
Posted 21 August, 2019
Lauren Ferrone
Sometimes you need to hit rock bottom before you’re granted a second chance. Tania, 37, says her second shot at life came largely from Catherine House – an Adelaide service offering accommodation and support for women experiencing homelessness.
Unfortunately, Tania’s story is proof you can lose your way no matter who you are or where you come from.
“I actually had a really good childhood growing up in the Flinders,” she says.
“It’s when I left for Adelaide to start uni that I lost my place and my support network.”
Soon, drinking became an every night occurrence and Tania started starving herself.
Tania, 37, says her second shot at life came largely from Catherine House.
“I’d put myself and others in dangerous situations,” Tania says.
Tania’s rock bottom came 4 years ago when she rolled her car and was disqualified from driving for 3 years.
It was a turning point, but progress is rarely made overnight.
After a long and difficult road with a few relapses, Tania is now 3 and a half years sober with help from her support network and Catherine House.
Over the years, she’s thrown herself into almost every service offered at Catherine House including support programs to grow her confidence in securing employment, education opportunities and housing.
Most importantly, Catherine House helped Tania rediscover the love she had for herself through wellness programs including yoga and meditation.
“Each experience added a necessary thread to help shape the healthier life I was weaving,” Tania says.
“I walked through the doors of Catherine House feeling lost, missing a sense of belonging and lacking a true purpose in life. They didn’t save my life; they gave me one.”
Here at RAA, we support the work Catherine House offers to women in need. Head to
catherinehouse.org.au for more info about their inspiring work.
