Despite a life that has been shaped by many challenges, Luke is determined to carve out a better future for himself and his children. The 38-year-old is the sole carer of his 10 and 14-year-old daughters.
“It’s tough. Prices keep going up and up,” he says.
“I don’t go out much because everything costs so much.
“It’s hard when you can’t give your kids what you want to be able to give them.”
Luke knows more than most just how important it is to have family support.
“I got kicked out of home at 11. I stayed with my Nanna for a while and then I ended up couch-surfing and living on the streets for the next four to five years.”
Luke met his children’s mother when he was 21. Things were much better for a while, and they spent the best part of a decade together.
“When that fell apart, I ended up back on the streets again for another few years.”
It hasn’t been easy, but Luke has managed to get his life back on track.
“My girls came to live with me full-time when the youngest was just six.
“All they had was a basket of clothes.”
“I heard about UnitingSA through word of mouth. I was struggling for food, so I gave them a call and they were able to help. They also helped me get my first NILS loan.”
NILS is the No Interest Loans Scheme. UnitingSA facilitates the scheme, giving people on low incomes access to safe, affordable credit without the burden of interest, fees, or hidden charges. The program provides
loans for unexpected expenses and guarantees recipients will only ever pay back the purchase cost.
“We were moving into a Housing Trust place, and NILS enabled us to get a new couch,” he says.
“All my furniture was second-hand. It felt comfy and more home-like to have a new couch.”
The beauty of the NILS scheme is that once recipients pay off one loan, they can apply for another. Over the years, Luke has also been able to use NILS for a car loan and a fridge.
“We went without a fridge for two months,” he recalls.
“We were living off takeaway and things you can microwave. I was having to buy a litre of milk each day or use cupboard milk.
“Then we got a second-hand fridge. I thought my luck had changed. We filled it up with groceries, but it died within a week.
“Pretty much I went straight to UnitingSA and said ‘I need help.’
“They were able to get me a loan for a fridge.
“Anna the financial counsellor has been so good. She was able to help me with a $6K debt. That was a big relief.”
UnitingSA was also on hand last Christmas, giving Luke access to the Toy Room.
“I was able to pick some Christmas gifts for my children. That made things a bit easier and the kids were pleased.”
Clearly his children are part of the reason he’s determined to turn his life around.
“The girls are doing really well at school. The youngest couldn’t read and now she can.
“The older one is a school leader. They’re both doing more and succeeding more.”
Luke is now ready for his next challenge but, this time, it’s a good one. He has just completed studying a Certificate III in Community Services and plans to become a support worker.
Luke thinks his life experience will help him relate well to teens who are struggling.
“When I was younger, I’d go to support places and they couldn’t help me. I’ve been through almost every bad thing you can imagine so I feel I could help and relate.”
Importantly, a job would also help Luke to become more financially stable.
“If I can get a job, I’ll be able to give my kids more.
“I hope that I’m showing my kids that even though things are tough – and we’ve been through some really tough times – there’s always a light.”
Please help us support more families like Luke’s by donating to UnitingSA’s 2026 Winter Appeal.