Beacon resident gives the thumbs up to debt-busting program

One of The Beacon’s residents, Gary, is now debt-free after working off his court fine.

 BY ANTHONY CASTLE

Gary, a client of The Beacon accommodation facility in Perth, has become the first resident to ‘write off’ their court fines after registering for the Work Development Permit (WDP) Scheme.

“This means everything to me,” an elated Gary said. “It has given me a clean slate and fresh start, with no debt.”

The Beacon is a 102-bed accommodation facility for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness. It provides client-centred, trauma-informed case management and a comprehensive range of services.

Gary has also transitioned into shared housing in the community.

“With the support of my case worker Ben and all the services here at The Beacon, I’ve secured permanent accommodation, something I didn’t think was possible a few short months ago,” Gary says. “I will be able to use the skills I’ve learnt here for the rest of my life.”

The Beacon is The Salvation Army’s largest residential homelessness facility in Australia. Clients are able to work off court fines by actively engaging in on-site case management and financial counselling and by attending Restorative Lifestyle Program (RLP) electives.

“The Department of Justice Western Australia WDP Scheme provides clients with opportunities to work off their court fines,” says The Beacon centre manager Karen Coetzee.

“Being able to not only assist clients to address the issues that have contributed to their homelessness but also to enable them to positively exit our facility into the community, debt free, is life transformational.”