The baby’s father was not in the picture, and she had little support. Having left school at the end of year 10 due to a learning disability, she felt ill-equipped to navigate the paperwork required to access the benefits she was eligible for. However, despite her desperate situation, it was clear Abbie was committed to doing what it took to help her unborn child.

Abbie understood that nutrition was important, but couldn’t afford fresh foods, admitting she wasn’t eating well, or regularly.

After listening to Abbie’s story, we gave her an ER food parcel, including pantry staples and fresh bread, fruit and vegetables. Noticing her shoes and clothes had seen much better days, we gave her a voucher to spend in our Op Shop next door, assisting Abbie to find some new shoes and maternity wear. Upon Abbie’s request, we provided some laundry powder so she could keep her new clothes clean, and toiletries when she admitted she was also struggling to afford them.

Despite the trauma Abbie had experienced, and her struggles with addiction, she had never received any formal counselling. We remedied that, linking her with our onsite counselling team for ongoing support. We also made Abbie a series of appointments with one of our financial counsellors, to work with her one-on-one to take stock of her financial situation, access support, make a budget and set goals to create a more stable financial launchpad before the baby came.

Abbie shared that her own mother had struggled, and she worried she wouldn’t be a good mother as her relationship with her own had been fraught. We discussed with Abbie the programs available for families, including new mothers, at our Ingle Farm Family Zone parenting centre. She was hopeful our programs would help her learn how to be the mother she wanted to be; the one her baby needed to get the best start in life.

We offered assistance with newborn clothing, bedding, nappies, and toys for when the baby came, and helped Abbie apply for a grant, to assist with purchasing a crib, change table and pram. Finally, we gave her a transport voucher so she could get home safely without having to walk in the heat.

Abbie left our office with her head held a little higher, promising, like many of our clients do, to “pay it forward” when she could. We hope the love and kindness we show clients such as Abbie can be the turning point they need to access help and make changes for the better in their own lives, also improving the lives of future generations, and the community around them. Kindness can spread so far.

Lutheran Care is one of very few charities homegrown right here in South Australia. Funds raised in SA stay in SA to assist some of the most vulnerable people in our very own neighbourhoods.

During these 40 days of Lent, we encourage everyone to look within; to think about what they can do to show their love for their neighbour. How can you make someone else’s life a little better?