Debt collectors chasing $386.21… really?

A kind-hearted Canberra lady recently blogged about homelessness and poverty in Canberra. At St John’s Care we can get so wrapped up in it when we see it every day, it’s interesting to read something from the point of view of somebody who doesn’t know as much about the issues, what’s available here, and so on. In particular because financial stress and even homelessness can happen to anyone, and many people don’t know where to turn or who can help if they find themselves in serious difficulty – we need to remember that. Her blog is certainly worth a read here: http://www.freezecheese.com/no-place-called-home/

Today was a really interesting day, we saw twenty one clients, and most of them were fairly young.

Em was a lovely young woman, who has two children, and after several months of couch surfing (the result of domestic violence) they have now been allocated a house.  It was so good to be able to help her with bedding, crockery and lots of food to help them set up their new home.

Then we had Lisa in for help with food.  She was very depressed; she had a debt with ACTEWAGL Gas for $386.21, which had been handed over to the debt collectors.   The debt collectors want Lisa to give them her credit card number so they can set up a payment plan.  The only problem is Lisa does not have a Credit or Debit Card, so the firm was ringing her three or four times a week, trying to get money.

She has been making some payments to ACTEWAGL, trying to reduce the debt and she had the receipts to prove her intent.  She was so concerned about the harassment from the company that I thought that SJC could give her a bit of a hand.  I then rang the Collection Agency on her behalf.  What was the current balance of Lisa’s account?  They then gave me a balance and offered a twenty five per cent discount if the account was paid by Mastercard or Visa card by the end of the week.

I offered to pay by BPay which meant that the money was in their bank tomorrow.  Brian from the Company was quite happy for me to do that but the discount would not apply. They needed Lisa’s card details.   I BPayed the reduced amount and then  rang ACTEWAGL Gas to let them know about the problems our client was having with their appointed debt collection agency.  Originally they were not interested but they have since come back to me to say that the debt has been paid in full.

I am afraid that it is that time of year again, when you will be receiving lots of ‘begging letters’ from not for profit organisations.   St John’s Care runs on the smell of an oily rag.  Our salary and administrative expenses for last year was $91,660.   To do the work we do so well, we need your financial support.  Our funding base is limited: we receive no money from the ACT Government, we receive $22,000 from Anglicare and $27,000 from two wonderful trusts but the rest needs to come from you.   We are Tax Deductible.

If you would like to contribute to the good work of St John’s Care, please contact me on ph 6248 7771, stjohnscare@velocitynet.com.au, or donate online at https://www.handsacrosscanberra.org.au/donate/?id=169. Thank you – you can be sure that your gift will be used wisely.

My wish list for this week:  Jam, dehydrated vegetables and biscuits. Can You Help?

Many thanks

Sue