Owen Davis shares his story of homelessness ahead of Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal

Owen Davis slept in a disabled toilet before turning to a life of drugs and crime. He “hated the world” until the Salvation Army stepped in. This is his story.

At age 13, Owen Davis was sleeping on the floor of a disabled toilet at a train station. And it was not long before he would end up behind bars.

Bullied at school for not showering and having clean clothes, the teen fled his housing commission home in Berkeley, in Wollongong, south of Sydney, where he lived with his mother.

Homeless and alone, his life became a vicious cycle of drugs, crime and imprisonment in detention centres – where he savoured the free food, bed and shelter.

“I was kicked out of home, I was lost and alone and had no one to turn to. It was one of the hardest times I have had to deal with and I was only a child,” the now 26-year-old said.

“I got into alcohol and drugs and I was out of control. I hated the world and everyone in it.”

Owen Davis said he had no one to turn to until he discovered the Salvos. Picture: Justin Lloyd

Mr Davis’ story is just one of thousands of men, women and children who have experienced or are currently experiencing homelessness in Australia, which has doubled since the start of the Covid pandemic.

The Salvation Army is experiencing the greatest demand for help in its 140-year history as it hopes to raise $36 million in its annual Red Shield Appeal during May.

“The Salvation Army saved my life. They are my family, they literally loved me back to life,” he said.

“When I got to Oasis (a youth program), the Salvation Army stood by me for the first time I could remember and said: ‘You are not alone’.”

Davis fled his housing commission home as a teenager. Picture: Salvation Army

In the past year, the charity has provided more than 1.5 million meals to those experiencing homelessness and more than 880,000 crisis beds.

The Salvation Army’s spokesman Major Bruce Harmer said the ongoing effects of Covid-19, devastating floods, rising costs of living and increasing housing stress pressures had led to unprecedented demand on their support services.

The Salvation Army’s spokesman Major Bruce Harmer.

“Crisis means something different for everyone we meet,” Major Harmer said.

“We are seeing more people present to our services around the country, as well as new faces who have never reached out to a charity before.

Mr Davis, who now volunteers with the Salvation Army and graduated from Sydney Film School, is urging the public to support the charity through the appeal ahead of the winter months.

“People who have never reached out in their lives are now asking for help,” he said.

“If we do nothing, we will have nothing. Even if you can only donate a small amount, it all adds up to make the biggest difference to people like me.”

The Salvation Army’s annual Red Shield Appeal Doorknock Weekend is happening on May 28 and May 29, or you can donate by calling 13 SALVOS or online at salvationarmy.org.au until June 30.

Originally published as Owen Davis shares his story of homelessness ahead of Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal