Three years ago, Kyle arrived in Wynnum with nothing but the clothes on his back. He’d been dropped off with nowhere to stay, no food, and no sense of what came next. At the time, he was sleeping in a tent and had no safe place to turn. 

Chris & Kyle on outreach in Wynnum

“I was homeless in a tent,” Kyle recalls. “They dropped me off here with just what I had on. I didn’t have anything.” 

It was through the local Community Centre that Kyle first heard about Rosies. “Kirsten from Rosies was the first person I met,” he says. “She gave me a sleeping bag and a swag and made sure I had what I needed to get by.” 

That small act of kindness was the beginning of a relationship that would see Kyle through some of his toughest times. 

For the past three years, Kyle has been a familiar face at Rosies outreach. “I usually come on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and sometimes Sunday,” he says. “I like the chats, the talk, the food. And the people, yeah, I’ve met a lot of people through Rosies and other places.” 

It’s the consistency and community that makes Rosies feel like more than just a drop-in. “They do a wonderful job,” Kyle says with a smile. “It makes a big difference. You feel welcome here.” 

Although he was a little nervous the first time, that feeling quickly passed. “It was only that first time. Everyone made me feel really welcome. The service they put on, it’s unreal.” 

Rosies doesn’t just offer practical support like warm drinks and snacks. It offers something deeper; a sense of connection and dignity. For many friends like Kyle, outreach is a reminder that they’re not invisible. 

Kyle spent months living on the streets. As a Kiwi living in Australia, it’s been even harder to access support. Without access to government payments or stable services, it’s easy to fall through the cracks.

“Sometimes it feels like people don’t see you, like you’re not even here,” he shares.  

While the experience was far from easy, he speaks about it with quiet strength. “Initially it was a bit hard, but you just accept it and stay positive. You know it’s not going to be forever,” he says. 

And for Kyle, it wasn’t. 

After a stretch of living out of a camp near the boat ramp at Wynnum and then staying with a cousin for six months in Cleveland, Kyle recently found a room to rent in Manly. “I’ve got a roof now,” he says. “It’s good. It’s a big difference.” 

Sharing friendship at the Wynnum outreach

But even with a roof over his head, Kyle still comes to Rosies. It’s not just about the food or support anymore, it’s about the people, the conversations, the connection to community. 

That’s what Rosies does best. It shows up, week after week, with a warm drink, a listening ear, and a genuine sense of care. Volunteers get to know the people they serve, often greeting them by name, asking how their week’s been, or checking in on changes in their lives. 

Kyle’s story is a powerful example of how something small, like a friendly face and a cup of tea, can have a ripple effect. That first outreach visit three years ago might’ve seemed ordinary to an outsider. But to Kyle, it meant someone saw him, cared about him, and gave him a hand when he needed it most. 

“I couldn’t think of anything like the service they put on,” he says. “It makes a real difference.” 

And he’s right. Rosies’ impact is often quiet but deeply felt. For people doing it tough, having somewhere to go where you’re not judged, where you’re greeted with a smile and treated with dignity, can be the thing that gets you through the day, or the week, or the years it takes to get back on your feet. 

Kyle’s journey hasn’t been easy. But with persistence, community, and support, he’s found some solid ground. And Rosies has been there every step of the way. 

To support people like Kyle please consider making a donation today.