b'Supportfor afresh startA helping hand createsa brighter future forSharon and her family.Leaving her country of origin, Sharon cameWhile waiting for the Governments decision to Australia in 2019 to marry her childhoodon her visa application, Sharon secured a job at sweetheart. Uniting, helping asylum seekers like herself settle I wanted to find new hope, meaning and live into the community. a healthy family life, says Sharon.I knew with a full-time job I would be able to But when COVID-19 hit last year, Sharonsafford a rental property and provide the basics marriage suffered. While there was no physicalfor my children, manage my studies, and live abuse, she felt oppressedlike she had no voicewithout fear, Sharon says.and no one to talk to. In early 2021, Sharon and her husband reconciled. After marriage counselling led to separationTheyre now working towards a happier future.counselling, Sharon left the relationship. We are not perfect human beings, but whenThe outcome was not what I expected. I hadwe try, half the battle is won, says Sharon. already committed to studying a communityIm grateful for the support we received services course in 2020, she says. I wonderedfrom Uniting. It made a stressful situation a how I was going to keep up with the courselittle easier. And Im honoured I can now give payments. something back to our local community and I had big questions about life and about mypeople who are in a similar situation to whatdecision to come to Australia.my family went through.A week after leaving the family home, Sharon was referred to Unitings team in Shepparton. She was provided with financial assistance through our Settlement Hub service, which provides ongoing support for people who have been in Australia for less than 5 years.28 Uniting Vic.Tas Annual Report 2020-2021'