The people that walk into Paul’s life trust nobody. This is how he helps them

Paul Moussa, a 71-year-old Lebanese-Australian social worker, begins his days long before sunrise. At 3.30am on a warm Wednesday in March, he was already seated in his office at Parramatta Mission, surrounded by the artwork of community members, filling out legal documents, drafting job references, and searching for housing solutions for those who would soon arrive. Known as the coordinator of Meals Plus, Moussa is the central figure in a daily ritual that brings hundreds of people together in Parramatta, a district in Sydney's western suburbs that has undergone rapid urban development while leaving many behind. At 8am, the doors of the Leigh Memorial Church, built in 1885 and now overshadowed by modern developments, open to reveal a bustling scene. Volunteers serve breakfast, consisting of eggs, toast, and cereal, to those waiting in line. The church hall and courtyard fill quickly, drawing individuals from all walks of life. Among them is Nicole Anderson, a third-year social work student dealing with the aftermath of losing family members to violence. For her, Parramatta Mission offers more than sustenance, it provides a stable environment where people with diverse challenges, from mental health issues to addiction, find acceptance. Above the bains-marie, a painted banner displays the mission’s core values: grace, dignity, faith, and hope. Moussa emphasizes that the organization avoids using the term “faith,” instead focusing on “trust.” He explains that trust is built through simple acts of hospitality. “If you’re looking for KPIs,” he says, “somebody comes in hungry with their head down, they walk out with a full stomach and their head up. And when you feel comfortable, you might invite us on your journey.” Moussa’s approach reflects a broader challenge faced by Western Sydney’s homeless population. Despite the area’s economic growth, many continue to struggle. A recent street count found 222 people sleeping rough in the region, an increase from 156 a decade ago, though lower than the peak of 291 recorded in 2024. Geoff Smith, the charity’s chief executive and lead minister of Parramatta Community Uniting Church, underscores the human cost behind these numbers. “Behind every statistic is a person,” he says. To raise awareness, the organization recently launched a campaign featuring a mock real estate advertisement, starring Ray White real estate agent Peter Vines promoting a “brutally authentic opportunity” for sleeping rough. Moussa acknowledges the deep-seated distrust among the homeless toward both government services and non-profit organizations. “People don’t choose to be homeless, but they choose homelessness because they have no confidence in the system,” he notes. “And to manage the system, you need to be Einstein.” As volunteers clear away breakfast dishes, a new visitor arrives. Ashool, a 25-year-old Fijian national, sits down with extra toast and leftover food. His neatly pressed clothes belie his situation, he has been sleeping on the edge of Prince Alfred Square for nearly a month. He was evicted by a housemate suffering from mental health issues, forcing him to navigate the city’s infrastructure to locate power sockets. He needs to charge his devices, a small but essential part of maintaining connection in a world that often excludes him. In the quiet moments between meals and conversations, the story of Parramatta Mission unfolds, not as a grand narrative, but as a series of individual experiences, each one shaped by resilience, hope, and the unwavering presence of Paul Moussa.