Winter Shelter recruit finds new friends and a new path

Winter Shelter Program

When Nambour’s inaugural Winter Shelter opened its doors, Marcus Van Noordennen was the only guest who turned up on the first night.

He says he enjoyed the attention and stayed every night for the first four weeks at all the churches, before securing accommodation at a caravan park, then returned to the program as a volunteer.

Marcus had been sleeping rough around Nambour Library after his previous accommodation fell through. So the experience became far more than simply having a bed for the night. “I was on the streets at the time. Homeless on the streets,” he said. “It’s just dangerous. Being on the streets, you don’t know what’s going to happen to you. You’ve got to keep an eye out, one eye open the whole time, especially at night.”

Winter Shelter was different. “You could just go to sleep and just feel comfortable and also wake up safe and warm, and also know that people aren’t going to be there to judge you. They’re just there to help you.”

Marcus said the participating churches provided warm showers, meals, company, conversation and games. “They were very welcoming, inviting, friendly,” he said.  “I think that basically if you are on the streets and wanting to help yourself to change your ways, if you’ve got some things that you’re doing and you can try and stop doing those things just for the time being, then when the Winter Shelter is on next time, it’s worth doing.”

The first night also became a turning point in Marcus’s Christian faith. Marcus said several other guests had been expected, but he was the only person who arrived. “I said to them, I said, ‘What’s the story there?’ And they reckoned that there’s, what they call in the Bible, it talks about the lost sheep. And they reckoned I must be the lost sheep … but I came back to God. Now I’m making better decisions and choosing helpful people to hang around.”

Marcus said his life had since turned around. After several weeks in the shelter, he secured accommodation with assistance from IFYS and The Shack.

He was then invited back as a volunteer, helping the same program that had supported him.

Marcus said he hoped others sleeping rough would take up the opportunity when Winter Shelter returns. “The people are not there to judge. They’re there to help and respect you,” he said.

For Marcus, there is no question about whether he will return in 2027. “Definitely I’ll help out next year. I’m going to keep on going with God and keep strong and don’t look backwards. I’m looking forward to helping others.”

The Nambour Winter Shelter brought together The Shack, Flametree Baptist Church, Sanctuary Park Church, Nambour Christian Church and Ignite Church Nambour, with each hosting guests on different nights of the week and volunteers providing beds, meals, showers, conversation and company.

Marcus Van Noordennen:  Now I’m making better decisions and choosing helpful people to hang around.