A helping hand in their darkest time

When Nyak* walked through the doors of Anglicare Victoria’s Emergency Relief service, her world had been turned upside down.

Her 15-year-old son, Jamal*, suffered a stroke during a school sporting match. He’d been in a coma for four weeks and remained in hospital for several months. The stroke left him paralysed on the right side of his body—he lost all feeling and function in his right hand and leg. Life as they knew it had changed in an instant.

Both Nyak and her husband had been working full-time, but Jamal’s need for round-the-clock care meant they had to stop working. Their savings were quickly dwindling, and they were overwhelmed— unsure of what support was available or how to access it.

“Thankfully, the hospital staff knew about our emergency relief service,” said Suzanne, who coordinates Anglicare Victoria’s emergency relief program in Melbourne. “They referred Nyak to us, and we were able to step in quickly.”

Anglicare Victoria provided Nyak with grocery and petrol vouchers, food hampers, and—perhaps most importantly— guidance. Suzanne helped Nyak apply for carers and family payments, giving the family a financial lifeline while Jamal continued his long road to recovery.

Today, while the journey is far from over, Nyak and her family are no longer facing it alone. They have the support they need to focus on what matters most—healing, hope, and being together.

Last year, thousands of people like Nyak turned to Anglicare Victoria’s emergency relief centres for help. Thanks to the generosity of our donors and volunteers, families in crisis can access food, essentials, and the compassionate support they need—right when they need it most.

“Our services make a practical and tangible difference for family’s like Nyak’s” – Suzanne, Emergency Relief Co-ordinator “We see the relief on people’s faces when they know their kids will eat tonight.”

*Names have been changed to protect privacy.