The following is from Blake. He wanted to express his story through his way and his words. Project Youth is proud that Blake felt empowered to do so. "My name is Blake and I worked at P&H Fine Foods where I prepare and cook meat to be packaged. I got the job through Tash (Natasha). She really helped me out finding the job. I was jobless since I was 20 and I'm 24 now. I was lucky that I didn't have the typical interview. I went in on a Monday, all dressed ready for an interview. They brought me in and chatted with me and asked when I could start. I started the next day on the afternoon shift and haven't changed since. It works best for me working the later shift because I have insomnia. I really enjoy being able to get the job done and having that sense of accomplishment. Getting paid is also great, especially once you start saving money. The job has helped me because I battle a lot with depression and anxiety. I've been able to feel like I've actually achieved something and done something for the week. I've learned two major things from the job and just from growing: Not all criticism is bad criticism or negative Even if you have a terrible day, you can always find an upside to the day or the day after. Push through the bad times so you can get back to the better times Project Youth and Tash were a big influence with me getting this job. She supported me through every step. The team is great because they were able to help someone like me." Blake was supported into full time work through Project Youth after he undertook our Job Readiness Program in 2021. Immediately, you could tell he was a hard worker and he communicated his strengths and interests to staff. His passion for smoking meats and showing his accomplishments to staff are what propelled him to his role now with P&H Fine Foods. Blake is always willing to help out. Recently he allowed us to take some photos of him to use on our website. Check him out there as well as on our socials!

The following paragraph was written by Roslyn. She wanted to express her story through her way and her words. Project Youth is proud that Roslyn felt empowered to do so. "I came to Project Youth to help me improve my school attendance and to obtain my RoSA (Record of School Achievement). My physical health worsened as the years went by that I was a part of mainstream high school due to my mental health issues building up and going untreated for many years. The result of this was that my attendance got heavily affected and achieving a RoSA in year 10 became almost impossible. I was recommended Project Education as my last chance and I couldn't be more grateful for the work they have done for me. Project Educate has helped me graduate from year 10 and achieve my RoSA. They have helped me get back into a school routine again and have made me feel less stressed and anxious about school in general. The flexible schedule and understanding staff have helped me take the time I needed to get better and deal with my health issues and I am much better now than I was before. From my time of 6 months at Project Educate, I have gained my year 10 RoSA and normality to my everyday life. I have gained the confidence to ask for help if I need it and the connections to excel in ways I wouldn't have previously in mainstream school. I have gained friends in the form of the staff who I plan to keep in contact with even though I have left to go back to mainstream school once again." To say we are proud of Roslyn would be an understatement. Her dedication and commitment to achieving her RoSA is simply wonderful. From all of us at Project Youth, we wish Roslyn all the best moving forward and making her way back into mainstream school. We can't wait to hear what you accomplish next.

Meet Shaun

Jennifer grew up in an abusive household. As a teenager, she faced the difficult choice to become homeless, rather than remain at risk in her family home. Can you imagine becoming fully independent at such a young age? Can you imagine feeling terrified about what the future holds, and the prospect of facing it alone?  We asked Jennifer to share her story with you. She answered the following questions to describe her experience with homelessness: How did you feel when you faced homelessness? “There were a lot of mixed emotions around making the decision to leave home, but I vividly remember feeling a lot of guilt and fear for what was to ensue. I kept thinking if I should have persevered and continued living in that environment. I kept wondering what it meant to be homeless. I was riddled with a lot of questions for the unknown, however, I owe it to the support I received from many services such as Project Youth and to myself for choosing what was best for me.” What was life like at Project Youth’s crisis refuge, The Bridge? “Life at the Bridge allowed me to feel safe. It is the place where I learnt my self-worth and capabilities. It is the foundation that gave me the chance to break the cycle of abuse I witnessed growing up. It gave me the chance to be okay with not feeling okay. It is the foundation that allowed me to seek support for mental health and to learn the importance of self care.” What happened when you left the Bridge?  “The Bridge helped me build the living skills to transition to a medium term service. The staff at the Bridge were very supportive and helped choose the best medium term service that was the best fit for me. At first, I was very reluctant to leave as I had finally settled down into a place, however I was still very excited. It took time getting used to medium term service but to this day, I’m still in contact with them as they continue to show unconditional support.” Where are you now, and how do you feel about your achievements?  “I’m now working in a career that I have always had an interest in and enjoy. I am also living in private rental. Looking back from where I started, I have achieved a lot, but it took a lot of mistakes, time and effort to get to where I am now today. This path wasn’t easy to take and it still isn’t the perfect road but it is a continuous learning process that I am grateful for. I admit that I still struggle with mental health amongst other things but what this path has taught me is that having a group of supportive people and a ‘sense of being’ helps tenfold compared to when I had nothing. I hope for a day that the stigma that is affiliated with being homelessness is withdrawn, as it will help those in need of a safe place some reassurance in the right direction. It will also help communities and organisations come together to support those in need, a cause that is affecting people globally.” Do you have any advice for young people facing homelessness? “You’re brave for wanting to better yourself and that in itself is becoming a better you.” You can save a young person from growing up in a dangerous household. You can give a young person a safe roof over their head. You can walk side by side with a young person as they find their independence. You can change a young person’s life for the better.

“I had no confidence, especially at work, because I had been treated badly by other employers. I have trouble talking to people and being able to stay in a job because of a disability. I also really wanted to go to university but I thought this was impossible and I didn’t know how to apply. At Café Y I got the opportunity to work in a café with customers which really helped me. I learned lots of skills and even ran the whole café sometimes which was a great experience. I worked at Café Y for 12 months and got a certificate in hospitality. I now have great work experience and a qualification. This was life changing for me as I was then able to apply for and attend a university degree to further my education.” – Jack, 22 Years Old

In 2017, The Shangri-La Hotel, with Phillippe at the head, chose Project Youth to be their Embrace Partner. We felt instantly welcomed into the wonderful world of a 5* hotel and all the fantastic employment opportunities that it offers young people. Since then, the Shangri-La team have gone above and beyond to support Project Youth, so it is with great pleasure that we feature Phillippe in our first ‘Supporter Spotlight’. At the partnership’s inception, we began putting young people forward for vacant positions at the Shangri-La, supporting them through the application and interview process. The warm and welcoming staff at the hotel made applicants feel at ease, and our first young person, Leah, started working at the Shangri-La in 2017. Phillippe was present at Leah’s induction to welcome her to the hotel, and instantly made her feel like part of the team. Leah’s induction coincided with the hotel’s cake competition, which Project Youth were invited to join. We felt excited and proud to be introduced to Philippe’s network as friends and partners of the Shangri-La, and our cake even won first place. Thanks to the Shangri La team, Leah has been able to learn and grow, and has gone from strength to strength in her role. She also set a fantastic precedent for the talent of our young people, and before long, the hotel invited others to trial. To date, the Shangri-La has welcomed 5 young people into their hospitality team, and 3 of these now work permanently on the Shangri-La’s books. One of the highlights of our partnership so far has been the ‘Retreat Day’. Philippe and his team organised for 25 young people to attend a day of work experience workshops at the hotel, learning about the various employment opportunities the Shangri-La could offer. They made delicious cakes, and an amazing Mocktail called ‘The Project Youth’. We were able to check out the engineering area, and had loads of fun in a ‘Make the Bed’ challenge with the cleaning staff. We were also invited to participate in the All Staff Meeting, where we learnt about the running of the hotel, and could ask questions. The highlight of the day was when Phillippe and his team chatted with our young people over lunch, making them feel at ease – one young person said they felt “pretty special that the big boss had time for them”. At the end of the day, our young people left with new skills, and with a new enthusiasm for the chance to work at such an amazing establishment, as part of such a warm and welcoming team. The Shangri-La team always make Project Youth (staff and young people) feel very welcome at the hotel, extending an invitation to many amazing events such as the opening of the Christmas gingerbread structure. These events are an opportunity for young people to meet the team and make a good impression, but also for PY staff to network, and spread the word about the work Project Youth do as a not-for-profit. The Shangri-La team have changed the lives of many young people by opening their doors to Labour Y’s young people. Many of Project Youth’s young people have faced disadvantage, and are seeking employment as a way to start a new life, get independence, and determine their own future. We have noticed that employment does not just give young people an income, but leads to a sense of belonging, a reduction in risk taking behaviours, improvements in housing, better family connections, improvements in overall health and an interest in engaging in further education and training. Philippe and his team help young people to reach for the stars and discover their true potential. Project Youth strive to create a future where all young people can thrive, no matter the disadvantage they face. Philippe and his team have gone above and beyond to make this a reality at the Shangri-La. We are so grateful.

Even with supportive carers, growing up in foster care can be challenging for a young person. Some young people may feel unsettled, displaced or may even resent their situation, which all adds to the standard trials and tribulations a young person faces when growing up. When these challenges became too much for Kurt to bear, he would abscond from the family home. At the age of 15, Kurt faced homelessness. As a result, Kurt began getting into trouble with the police, and faced a number of fines for legal/police matters. This was a very difficult time for Kurt, and he reached an important crossroads of either descending into further trouble, or making positive changes to choose a better path. I’m sure you would agree, no young person should feel they have no choice but to live on the streets or couch surf. No young person should feel their lives spiral out of control as they make mistakes, leading to fines, court trials and debt, and face it all alone. Kurt’s journey with Project Youth began with his participation in the Mentoring program where he was paired with a community member for support and guidance. With his mentor and his Project Youth Case Worker at his side, Kurt arranged Work and Development Orders to pay off his fines. He then attended Adolescent Family Counselling with Project Youth and with support, became determined to turn his life around. It is because of donors like you, that these programs exist to help young people like Kurt. You can support another young person like Kurt to create a better future for themselves. You can build a society where adolescents are supported to make good choices, and become contributing members of our community. You can give young people like Kurt a second chance. All young people deserve a safe, stable home in which they feel happy and secure. All young people deserve a chance to make better choices. Kurt went on to complete a number of short courses with Project Youth’s Labour Y team, and now has a full time job. He remains in contact with his Project Youth Case Worker, who he built a strong and trusting relationship with. If ever he needs help, or wants to talk, he knows Project Youth are still here for him. Donate today to help another young person like Kurt.

In 2017, The Shangri-La Hotel, with Phillippe at the head, chose Project Youth to be their Embrace Partner. We felt instantly welcomed into the wonderful world of a 5* hotel and all the fantastic employment opportunities that it offers young people. Since then, the Shangri-La team have gone above and beyond to support Project Youth, so it is with great pleasure that we feature Phillippe in our first ‘Supporter Spotlight’. At the partnership’s inception, we began putting young people forward for vacant positions at the Shangri-La, supporting them through the application and interview process. The warm and welcoming staff at the hotel made applicants feel at ease, and our first young person, Leah, started working at the Shangri-La in 2017. Phillippe was present at Leah’s induction to welcome her to the hotel, and instantly made her feel like part of the team. Leah’s induction coincided with the hotel’s cake competition, which Project Youth were invited to join. We felt excited and proud to be introduced to Philippe’s network as friends and partners of the Shangri-La, and our cake even won first place. Thanks to the Shangri La team, Leah has been able to learn and grow, and has gone from strength to strength in her role. She also set a fantastic precedent for the talent of our young people, and before long, the hotel invited others to trial. To date, the Shangri-La has welcomed 5 young people into their hospitality team, and 3 of these now work permanently on the Shangri-La’s books. One of the highlights of our partnership so far has been the ‘Retreat Day’. Philippe and his team organised for 25 young people to attend a day of work experience workshops at the hotel, learning about the various employment opportunities the Shangri-La could offer. They made delicious cakes, and an amazing Mocktail called ‘The Project Youth’. We were able to check out the engineering area, and had loads of fun in a ‘Make the Bed’ challenge with the cleaning staff. We were also invited to participate in the All Staff Meeting, where we learnt about the running of the hotel, and could ask questions. The highlight of the day was when Phillippe and his team chatted with our young people over lunch, making them feel at ease – one young person said they felt “pretty special that the big boss had time for them”. At the end of the day, our young people left with new skills, and with a new enthusiasm for the chance to work at such an amazing establishment, as part of such a warm and welcoming team. The Shangri-La team always make Project Youth (staff and young people) feel very welcome at the hotel, extending an invitation to many amazing events such as the opening of the Christmas gingerbread structure. These events are an opportunity for young people to meet the team and make a good impression, but also for PY staff to network, and spread the word about the work Project Youth do as a not-for-profit. The Shangri-La team have changed the lives of many young people by opening their doors to Labour Y’s young people. Many of Project Youth’s young people have faced disadvantage, and are seeking employment as a way to start a new life, get independence, and determine their own future. We have noticed that employment does not just give young people an income, but leads to a sense of belonging, a reduction in risk taking behaviours, improvements in housing, better family connections, improvements in overall health and an interest in engaging in further education and training. Philippe and his team help young people to reach for the stars and discover their true potential. Project Youth strive to create a future where all young people can thrive, no matter the disadvantage they face. Philippe and his team have gone above and beyond to make this a reality at the Shangri-La. We are so grateful.

Harry has been involved in several of our programs, including our mentoring scheme and our family counselling. Project Youth also supported Harry into safe crisis accommodation. Harry is now enjoying his career as a butcher, and is living happily in his own flat. Listen to Harry speak about his experience with Project Youth. We are humbled to hear him say, “ they’re just incredible people, and it’s an incredible service” . We are so proud of how far Harry has come.