Appeal: Rachel's Story
Meet Rachel
She left home at 17 after her relationship with her mother broke down. In the years that followed, she couch surfed, stayed with friends and moved in and out of shared accommodation.
When Rachel found out she was pregnant, her situation became even more uncertain. Her landlord told her he didn’t want children living in his flat, forcing Rachel to leave.
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Six months later, heavily pregnant and still working full-time, she was moving from place to place. Most days, she carried everything she owned with her because she didn’t know where she would be sleeping that night.
One evening, the person she had arranged to stay with stopped answering her calls and messages. With nowhere else to turn, Rachel reached out to Galway Simon Community for support.
Brenda, who was there to guide her through the housing system, helping with calls and emails and advocating on her behalf.
Rachel eventually secured a flat for herself and Tadhg. After years of uncertainty, having a safe and secure place of their own meant they could finally begin to settle.
As Tadhg’s first Christmas drew near, Rachel recalled how sad the season made her feel. Growing up, there had been no tree or decorations in her home. She remembers spending Christmas with her older brother, watching television on their own.
She wanted something different for Tadhg.
So, for the first time, Rachel put up her own Christmas tree.
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How your donation helps
The support Rachel received was not simply about having a roof over her head. It was knowing that she and her son were not facing everything alone.
With the support of people across the West, Galway Simon Community can continue to be there for families facing homelessness and help them find the safety and stability they need to move forward.
Please donate today and help another family like Rachel’s find a safe and stable place to call home.
