b'A lifetime of helping others After five gruelling years living in her car, Wendy (pictured) now has a place to call home.Even before Wendy fell into homelessnessmany hardships of her own. herself, the 62-year-old mother offered up herDue to circumstances outside of her control, home and heart to those who had fallen onWendy and her family lost their home a year challenging times. into its mortgage.I spent most of my life helping other people,Things got so financially hard. I just wanted a mostly children, Wendy said when asked new start.about herself.Ive supported many families and childrenDespite years of supporting vulnerable families throughout the years. in finding a home, Wendy suddenly found herself without one.During these times, Wendy did not once ask forIve gotten that many people houses, but in the finances from any of the families. end couldnt get myself one.Ive never asked for a payment for any child IveDespite being on the list for social housing, cared for. Wendy didnt feel any closer to finding a home.I took the kids in because my idea is no child asksWith no where to stay, she was forced to live in to be born, she said. her car.It wasnt long before Wendy became well knownI was sleeping in my car, always near a police in her community for fostering children andstation, so if something went wrong, I couldsupporting families who were experiencing crisis.get help.I was very clear on my rules. Dont thieve fromWendy recalls the stresses of being a woman me, dont use drugs or alcohol in my home, andwhile homeless.most importantly, dont lie to me. Id rather the truth, we can deal with it together. Its more the fear of being a woman when youre Wendy is still in touch with many of the childrenold, she said. she fostered.You know, you cant defend yourself but you Some of them have grown up and have kids give it everything youve got.now and they still contact me, she said. Luckily things began to look up when Wendy Despite Wendys generosity and easy-goingcrossed paths with Uniting. manner, the single mother has experienced13 Uniting Housing Annual Report 20212022'