Why stable housing shapes women’s chances of rebuilding their lives
Without stable housing, women leaving prison struggle to stay safe, rebuild routines and parent their children. With it, they can stabilise, avoid returning to crisis, and take the first practical steps toward independence.
When Sara arrived at the From Now program, she described herself as exhausted: “lost, broken, and stuck in a cycle that seemed impossible to break.” She had just been released from jail and was trying to work out how to be the mother she wanted to be while carrying what she called “shame, regret and fear of failure.”
What she found at From Now was the first moment of stability she had felt in years. She recalls being met “with warmth, understanding, and a deep belief that I could do better, not just for myself, but for my daughter.” For the first time, she was living in what she called a “normal household,” surrounded by people who cared about her and her child. She emphasised that she “wasn’t just another case number,” but someone whose potential others saw long before she did.
From Now gave Sara “more than just a place to stay.” It offered the chance to heal, to grow, and to rebuild her life. Sara says the program gave her the tools to work through her past, develop new skills and become self-sufficient. The support helped her transition into housing, something she never thought would be possible, and begin piecing her life back together.
She credits the program’s creator, Jenny Homes, for designing a refuge that goes beyond basic needs. In Sara’s words, From Now is “a lifeline” built on understanding, patience and the belief that women are worthy of a safe future. “They helped me see my worth,” she says, reflecting on how the program empowered her to imagine a different life for herself and her daughter.
Today, Sara stands on her own feet with what she calls “a heart full of hope and gratitude.” Her message to other women is simple: with the right support, change is possible. “If I can do it, so can you,” she says.
You don’t have to do it alone. You deserve a life full of love, happiness and stability.”
Sara’s experience reflects what the From Now program was created to address: without stable housing, women leaving prison struggle to stay safe, rebuild routines and parent their children. With it, they can stabilise, avoid returning to crisis, and take the first practical steps toward independence.
Women’s and Girls’ Emergency Centre (WAGEC) is a specialist domestic and family violence service supporting women and children across Sydney. Through crisis accommodation, outreach casework and community programs, WAGEC helps women rebuild safety, stability and independence. WAGEC delivers the From Now program, a post-release housing and support initiative for mothers leaving prison, addressing the critical gap in safe accommodation, parenting support and pathways to long term stability.
