St John's Care

✨ From Crisis to Hope ✨ A woman's life was turned upside down after an injury left her jobless, homeless, and without medication. But thanks to our community's generosity, we were able to provide emergency support, including medication, food, and accommodation. Your kindness helps us continue to advocate for her and others in crisis. ❤️

Our next Community Morning Tea is on Friday 15th May, between 10.00am and 12.00pm, everbody is welcome, we'd love to see you there!!!

As Canberra’s temperatures continue to drop, more people in our community are being pushed to breaking point. Families who have never needed support before are now struggling to afford food, fuel, heating, and other everyday essentials. This winter, St John’s Care is expecting one of our busiest seasons yet, and we need your help. The good news is that every donation made to our Winter Appeal will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $30,000 thanks to the incredible generosity of one of our long-time supporters. That means your kindness can have twice the impact for local people doing it tough this winter. Together, we can help provide emergency relief, practical support, and hope to people across our community when they need it most. Donate to our Winter Appeal - .au/donate

As Canberra's temperature drops, many of us cozy up at home. But for those sleeping rough, winter can be brutal. Your support helps provide warmth, care, and hope to those who need it most. #StJohnsCare #CanberraCommunity #WinterAppeal #HomelessnessSupport #CommunityCare #CanberraWinter

A New Chapter: Maternity Leave & Gratitude As I prepare to step away on maternity leave, I wanted to take a moment to share some personal news and reflect on what this transition means to me. I’m getting ready to welcome my first baby into the world, something that feels nothing short of a miracle. This journey has been deeply meaningful, and I’m filled with gratitude, excitement, and a sense of wonder as I move into this next chapter of life. It also feels like the right time to reflect on my work as a case manager here at St John’s Care. Being part of this space has been incredibly grounding and humbling. Every day, I’ve had the privilege of meeting people at different points in their lives, often during times of vulnerability, and walking alongside them in whatever way I could. That experience has shaped me in ways I’ll carry forward, not just professionally, but personally as well. This role has strengthened my patience, empathy, and the importance of simply showing up for others. It has also reminded me how powerful community can be, especially in moments when people need it most. I’m so grateful to have been part of a team that is committed to making a genuine difference in people’s lives. As I step into motherhood, I’ll be taking many of these lessons with me. While I’ll miss the day-to-day connections and the meaningful work, we do together, I’m looking forward to this time with my growing family and everything it will bring. Thank you all for your support, kindness, and shared commitment to St John’s Care. It has truly meant a lot to me and to the community we support. I look forward to reconnecting and sharing the joy of this new chapter with you all. Kind regards, Lisa Sithole Case Manager

Thank you to everyone who came, celebrated and volunteered their time to make our 35th birthday special. A fantastic time was had by all.

You’re Invited – Celebrate 35 Years with Us! 🎉 Next Friday the 1st of May, we’re celebrating a very special milestone - 35 years of St John’s Care - and we’d love for you to join us at our Community Lunch! Come along from 12pm and be part of the celebration as we: 🍽️ Test out a brand new main course 🎂 Enjoy some delicious birthday cake 🤝 Share good food, great company, and a sense of community This is a wonderful opportunity to come together, reflect on the journey so far, and celebrate the people who make our community so special. We hope to see as many familiar and new faces as possible - everyone is welcome! 💛

A FRESH START 🌟 After losing his job, M struggled to cover rent, food, and bills. With our support, he found affordable housing, resolved a large utility bill, and received emotional support. Today, M feels relieved and hopeful, rebuilding his life with renewed confidence. 🙏 Thanks to our donors, individuals like M get a second chance at stability, dignity, and hope.

Mental Illness What does mental illness look like to you? Is it something we can clearly see and understand? Or is it something quieter that is expressed through behaviours we don’t always recognise? At St John’s Care, we see many different presentations of mental illness. For some, it looks like withdrawal or silence. For others, it may be anxiety, confusion, or difficulty focusing. And sometimes, it presents as anger, frustration, or behaviour that feels unpredictable. These differences can be confronting. It’s human nature to make quick judgments about what we see, often before we understand what’s beneath the surface. One client, G, reminded us of this. When G first visited the Centre, there was some apprehension among volunteers. His mental illness presented in ways that felt volatile. His emotions were intense, and his reactions could be difficult to anticipate. People cared, but they weren’t always sure how to respond. Over time, that began to change. Through calm, consistent interactions, the provision of food, and familiar non-judgemental faces, trust slowly built. Volunteers started to see beyond the behaviour, and G began to feel more at ease. While his challenges didn’t disappear, his engagement with the space shifted. G came to see St John’s Care as somewhere safe, a place where he would be treated with dignity, even on the more challenging days. This is the power of a supportive environment. When people feel safe and accepted, it can ease distress and help regulate behaviour. Sometimes, what looks like anger or unpredictability is simply a person trying to communicate something they don’t have the words for. At St John’s Care, we cannot provide all the support someone like G may need. But we can offer consistency, compassion, and a sense of belonging. Mental illness doesn’t always look the way we expect. But when we respond with patience and understanding, we create a space where people feel seen. And sometimes, that is enough to make a difference. Thank you to the St John’s Care community who make this possible.

Holding on to hope 💛 Recently, we’ve seen more people coming through our doors facing serious health challenges like cancer and heart disease, on top of everything else life is already throwing at them. We’d like to share the story of S (name changed for privacy). S moved to Australia with her husband and three children, hoping for a fresh start. But while settling in and looking for work, she was diagnosed with cancer. Suddenly, everything changed. Due to treatment and limited mobility, we visited S at home. Her husband is now the sole income earner, working hard while also trying to cover significant medical costs - many not supported by Medicare due to their visa status. Together with other services, we’ve been able to wrap support around the family ✔️ Referrals for in-home and practical support ✔️ Help with food, groceries, and essentials each week ✔️ Support for medications and case management ✔️ Clothing and essentials for the children ✔️ Assistance from partners like Rise Above We’ll continue to walk alongside S and her family, ensuring they have the support they need during this incredibly difficult time. S’s story is a reminder of how quickly life can change and how powerful community support can be when it matters most. Thank you for helping us be there 💛 #StJohnsCare #CommunitySupport #Canberra #Hope #StrongerTogether #SupportLocal #MakingADifference

St John's Care will be closed on Friday the 3rd of April and Monday the 6th of April for the long weekend. Staff and volunteers will be returning from 9:30am on Tuesday the 7th of April as per normal. As we are closed this Friday, there will be no community lunch. Our next community lunch will be on Friday the 1st of May. The SJC Team

A Community Coming Together 🤍 A few weeks ago, we met Y, who had just experienced a devastating house fire. In a matter of days, she lost almost everything and was forced to start again in a new place with very little. When Y came to St John’s Care, she was understandably overwhelmed. Together, we were able to provide the essentials, food, toiletries, bedding, kitchen items, everything needed to help her begin again. With the support of another local organisation, her new space was soon furnished with a bed, table, and other key items. Slowly, it started to feel like home again. When Y returned a few days later, she told us she had felt lost and unsure how she would manage. Knowing there were people willing to help gave her a sense of relief, and hope. It’s a powerful reminder of how quickly life can change, and how important community support really is. To our donors, volunteers, and partner organisations, thank you. Because of you, we can provide not just practical support, but dignity, comfort, and hope when it’s needed most. #StJohnsCare #CommunitySupport #CanberraCommunity #HopeInAction #StrongerTogether