Life had reached its lowest point. With nowhere to go, Questo registered as homeless. Nights were long and cold, filled with worry and uncertainty. “I was living in my car,” he recalls.
“I didn’t have anywhere else.”
Support came through an unexpected avenue. His counsellor, concerned about his situation, referred him to Community Crossroads House. There he met Moana, who connected him with Visionwest. That introduction marked the beginning of a profound journey of change.
“When I came to Visionwest, I spoke to two ladies. They were really kind. They just listened to my story, to how much I wanted to change. I’d already started that journey in myself, but talking to them gave me a sense of hope. It was like they actually believed in me.”
Within weeks, things began to turn around. With the help of Liz and Tiaki from Visionwest, Questo was offered a home. “Having stability, having my own house, it was amazing. Just knowing the house was mine gave me freedom to sort out my life.”
Having stability created space for personal healing. An injury meant he could not work for a time, but that allowed him to reset. “That was the pinnacle of my change. I got onto medication, I started sleeping well, and I had time to work on myself.”
For years, Questo’s life had been shadowed by fear and trauma. “I used to be scared all the time. But one day I was sitting at a park, and I realised, thanks to Visionwest, I didn’t have to be scared anymore. That was a blessing.”
The support he received went far beyond housing. “I don’t feel like an alien. I don’t feel different. They treat me like family.”
That acceptance helped him rebuild trust. Today, he is studying Mental Health and Addictions at Level 4, with plans to continue toward a bachelor’s degree. “I want to help people who are going through what I went through, to show them that stability and purpose can change everything.”
Looking back, he sees how close he was to giving up. Now, with Visionwest’s support, he is living with stability, purpose, and hope. “They gave me safety and a future. They gave me the chance to dream again.”