A glimpse into de Porres House and the care we provide

Named after the first ever Cana house, de Porres House (Darlinghurst) was established over 20 years ago and offers safe, short-term accommodation and a range of support for up to 14 men. de Porres is not a boarding house; we provide a home space for the men to build positive relationships and learn to engage in community. Many of the men have not experienced family life and have not had access to basic supports.

These men are referred to us by a number of organisations and charities, as well as through the Drug Court program. Julie and Terry have worked together for 15 years, and along with other volunteers support these men through to their next stage. The men are interviewed and have the opportunity to share their struggles, while also allowing us to outline Cana’s expectations.

“It’s not about an address and a bed; it’s about an opportunity for change and to be a part of our community.”

An example of what their week could look like… the men often visit the Farm on Tuesday, where they have the opportunity to work and develop skills in a unique setting. Thursdays present a ‘check-in’ day, where each resident’s progress is reviewed and a plan made for the coming week. Fridays typically involve appointments with various services such as the GP, Community Nurse, psychologist, parole officer, and housing representative. Throughout the week, many attend activities at Sydney Uni, along with numerous reflections, lunches, and dinners involving other members of the Cana community.

The residents at de Porres have complex needs, often stemming from childhood trauma, which in turn could lead to addiction or other difficult behaviours. Without access to care, they often end up incarcerated. The structure Cana offers allows them to learn how to create routine, understand boundaries, take care of their mental health, and we hope... an opportunity to build trusting relationships.

At times we have realised that some men are not ready or able to manage at de Porres, and when this comes to light, conversations are difficult. We understand that change is hard, and change takes time, so we invite men back to de Porres to try again as we all need more than one opportunity.

While some residents may not succeed and are either asked to leave due to repeated breaches of house rules or return to prison (if a Drug Court participant), many thrive. They secure work, find stable social housing, transition out of de Porres, but stay connected to our community as they move ahead with their lives.

We all need a positive environment and connection to embrace change, and thanks to the generosity of our donors, we can address their needs and provide individual support.