Every day, more people are turning to Parramatta Mission for support. With your help, we can grow to meet this rising need — together.
Your donation today can help provide meals, crisis relief, and connections to services that empower people to find stability, dignity, and hope.

Let me tell you about Michael.

Michael was in his mid-50s when he came to Meals Plus. A well-educated man with a degree in engineering, he had spent most of his life in stable employment. But after a painful marriage breakdown, he lost contact with his children. His mental health declined, and he began using alcohol to cope. Eventually, he lost his job and his home.

“Without Meals Plus, I had all but lost hope. They gave me the chance for a fresh start and helped me find my feet,” Michael shared.

Michael began attending regular community meals, where he not only found nourishment but connection. He started going to AA meetings held onsite and was introduced to our network of services. Through housing support and job-seeking assistance, he found labouring work—different from his past, but enough to provide purpose and routine.

“That job wasn’t what I’d done before, but it gave me a reason to get up, show up, and feel like I mattered again.”

Five years on, Michael is still in stable housing and steady work. He has reconnected with his children and now he mentors others in their recovery.

He still comes back to Meals Plus, not for help, but to be that helping hand.

“I don’t know where I’d be today if I hadn’t walked through those doors. Parramatta Mission gave me the courage and hope I needed to rebuild.”

Stories like this show us what’s possible when the right support is available at the right time. And right now, more people than ever need that support.

Your gift today can help more people like Michael get the support they need to get back on their feet.