Clarissa's Story.

WORK WORK

Trigger warning; this brave story discusses addiction, homelessness and domestic violence. Please read with care.

“I feel like I've found myself again.”

I've found my confidence, my self-worth, my financial security. My independence. It’s been huge for me, not being financially dependent on someone else – being able to pay my own bills, and have my own home, and money to do the things I want to do. Being able to do those things that make me happy has made such a difference.

Last year was all about personal growth, for me. It was about finding who I was again - because I didn't know who I was, for so long. I was really lost; I had really low self-worth, and I didn't believe I could do this. But I don't feel like that today. I worked a lot on myself – and now, I actually am comfortable in my skin.

This year, I've dedicated to finding my career – to find my professional goals. I'm proud that I was able to show up even when I didn't want to; whatever was happening, I could leave it at the door and be able to work. I’m proud of the feedback I get from Daf - that I'm reliable and trustworthy. These are the things I guess I was lacking before - because I didn't have a job for a while.

Two Good has been the best thing I've done. Every opportunity that came up, I've jumped into. It's given me that purpose, that routine. Two Good makes me feel loved; which is something that I was lacking. It’s something I missed out on in my life - having that family dinner, a friendly smile, a big hug. Even sitting down at lunch as a group, it was really uncomfortable at first – but I miss that a lot, now.

The love and support that I received at Two Good is something else. They really do believe in you…and when you're getting believed in by someone, it makes you believe in yourself.

FOOD IS LOVE

I did Cook and Connect before Work Work, while I was in a refuge. Most of the Two Good meals I received there always made me feel warm and loved...and then I experienced this shift, from eating the meals in the refuge, to making them at Two Good. It was one of those full circle moments.

Karina's Spinach Pie was always my favorite – and then we got to work together at Two Good! I actually got to tell her how much I loved her meals. Even though I’m not a big cook myself, I do believe that food can be a message of love. The whole mission of Two Good, with the meals that get sent out to those refuges and shelters - they're definitely made with love.

Having been in the refuge receiving the meal, and then being the one cooking them – on each side, you really can tell that they're made with love.

If I could send a message to the women in refuges now, I’d say to just hang in there – things will get better. Someone will believe in you. Someone will give you the love that you need to get back up. If you’re considering Work Work, give it a go – this is where you can stand on your own two feet again and you can find your self-worth and the respect you deserve.

And if you’ve supported Two Good…just, thank you.

“Thank you for supporting something that's so magical.”

CHANGING THE COURSE

Before Two Good, I was suffering with addiction problems and domestic violence. I ended up in a refuge after leaving rehab - I'd lost everything. I was trying to get a housing transfer, I was trying to stay sober, and I was in hiding from my ex-partner; it was all very full on.

I've suffered with substance abuse for years, but it finally got to the point where I accepted I needed to change things. It's been a long journey with my recovery – it was my fifth time trying to get sober. But I just hit a whole new rock bottom, emotionally – I’d finally had enough. I was really depressed, I lost someone that was close to me, and it kicked me over the edge - I knew I needed to get help. I decided I wanted to live. I just kept losing everything. I didn't have any real relationships in my life, I was isolated - I definitely wasn't employable. Something just came over me and I knew - I need to get help now. I can't keep doing this.

I had to really find myself again - because my identity for so long was centred around drugs and alcohol. I've finally found my feet again, through Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, committed myself to routine and the gym – all those different aspects that I'd lost for so long. I think that's what Two Good has really helped me with as well - it's given me purpose, to help me stay sober and stay in a routine.

I actually heard about Two Good a few years ago, while at another rehab. I knew someone that had done the program – I was going to do it back then too, but I didn't end up staying well for long enough, at that time. When I ended up at Detour House after my last rehab, we received the meals there and it triggered something in my memory. It turned out, I knew a few other people that had done it since then – and they all said amazing things. They all said it was the best thing I could do for my recovery…so I listened. Detour House helped me apply…and here I am.

There were a lot of ups and downs; I was very overwhelmed and a little bit fearful of working again. It had been some time since I'd last had a job. I was a hairdresser before – it was my first time working in a kitchen, and I'm not a great cook! But I found that throughout the time in Eveleigh, it wasn't about the cooking. It was about coming in on a routine, and connecting, and being able to make money again. The chefs are amazing with that, too - they don't make you feel like you're below them. They treat you like you're equal. I just kept showing up and slowly, I realised, this is okay – and it got better.

All those things in my past have been tough – but they also made me resilient. I could dwell on them, but instead I've embraced it and not let it define me. I just have to keep going.

It was really strange at first – but it's a beautiful thing, to actually like who I see in the mirror today. To not be ashamed of what I'm doing, or the way I'm looking. I haven't known who I was for so long – and I probably don't fully know who I am yet. I'm still working all that out. But I do I can make wise decisions; I can trust myself, and rely on myself.

And I know that I'm a good person, today.

TWOMORROW.

Nowadays, I'm a concierge (or 'Goodcierge', as Rob likes to call it) at Yirranma Place – which has been amazing. It's more face-to-face communication, rather than being behind the scenes, cooking in the kitchens. It’s definitely my thing – interacting with people. It’s part of the reason I got into hairdressing as well - so I feel like this position has helped me find that part of myself again, too.

Being in a different, more corporate environment, has been really great. I feel really lucky to go there every day. The tenants are lovely, the building's beautiful, I've been learning admin skills that I hadn't done before.

I'm in my own place now, too – which is fantastic. I've been able to save - I'm even going on an overseas holiday later this year! And next year, I want to study – I want to help women that have been through struggles as well. Being at Yirranma Place, around all those incredible social enterprises that are all about giving back to the community, it's really made me want to stay in that environment.

I’m ready to take it all on. Which is really weird to say – because I wouldn't have said that even six months ago. But I feel so confident now. This whole Two Good journey has been a massive experience...

“...it's the best thing I've done for myself in a very long time.”