Santa's forgotten People
Coming Up on Christmas Day
- 8:30am on Channel Seven 25th December
- 7:30pm on Australian Christian Channel 23rd December
- 11:30am on Australian Christian Channel 25th December
With a burst of ‘Silent Night, Holy Night’ from the Sydney Street Choir, ‘Santa’s forgotten People’ opens with a splash of colour and music.
The Sydney Street Choir (click on image to enlarge)
Christmas is a time of family, food and presents. What is Christmas like for the homeless and the destitute who have nothing?
For the forgotten, they are not so lucky. They are lonely, poor and hungry. The documentary follows Trenton, a once homeless man, trapped by alcoholism, on his journey back into recovery and life.
Trenton at Manly Beach (click on image to enlarge)After hitting rock-bottom, Trenton’s life is saved from death itself when he is helped into detox and rehabilitation. With the help of Wesley Rehabilitation Services, he is now a man reborn, with purpose and a light in his eyes. His parents share his slow journey back to them, where they have found their lost son.
Keith Garner’s beautiful comparison to the story of the Prodigal Son sums up Trenton’s journey.
Nerida Dunkerly speaks with Trenton (click on image to enlarge)
Homelessness
Homelessness is defined as not only being without a house but when you have no permanent address, no social ties, no family network to lean on. It is living on a friend’s couch, sleeping in an old factory, and sleeping out in the elements.
Wesley Mission’s Edward Eagar Lodge is a crisis accommodation hostel situated in Bourke Street, Surry Hills, Sydney with 24 hour staffing.
Find out about other Homeless Persons facilities, or call to find out more about Edward Eagar Lodge. Phone: (02) 9361 0981.
Nerida Dunkerly (click on image to enlarge)
Detox
Trenton was helped into detox and he entered into one with the help of a halfway house at Fairlight. He went through an intensive detox program for 10-14 days at the Herbert St Clinic, Royal North Shore.
Rehabilitation
Reverend Keith Garner (click on image to enlarge)Wesley Rehabilitation Services (WRS) was the place that Trenton went on to continue on his journey to recovery. WRS is situated at Liverpool and is run by Nerida Dunkerley who believes that everyone deserves a second chance and the program reflects the love and passion of Christ.
If you need any further information on the rehabilitation process, please contact: wrs@wesleymission.org.au or call (02) 9608 0531 Monday to Friday.
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