My dad and I don’t really talk, so it felt like I didn’t have anyone in my corner. By the time I was a teenager, I was back and forth from my nan’s house and got caught up with the wrong crowd. We were stealing, running around the city and sleeping anywhere. I wasn’t mature, I didn’t know what I was doing.
When I turned 18, I had my first baby. I was living with my partner and his family, but he didn’t have his head straight. Having babies so young forced me to grow up, but I still didn’t really have things together. Eventually, I stayed at my best friend’s place. I wasn’t doing anything, wasn’t going anywhere. But she really inspired me. Seeing her doing her own thing, being her own boss, having her house. She was getting support from Brisbane Youth Service (BYS), and I could see the difference it made – housing, guidance, everything. That’s when I realised I needed backup too. I couldn’t keep staying at her house. She had her baby and needed her space. So I thought, “Nah, I really need to pull my game together. I’m a grown woman. I’m a mum. I’ve got to learn to do this. I’ve got to have my babies back. I’ll be alright.” From then on, I was focused.
As soon as I connected with BYS, everything started changing. I began working with my BYS worker, and we clicked straight away. She gives me those big, real talks about not mixing with the wrong crowd, blocking out negativity, and focusing on my own life. Ever since I started listening, I’ve matured a lot. I didn’t think I could stay on track every day, but I was grateful BYS had my back. BYS supported me in ways no other service has. They helped me get housing. They even wrote my support letter. When I went to meet a lady at the Department of Housing, we had a good yarn. She really saw where I was coming from, and my worker was yarning with her too.
Growing up, I never really had much support. A couple of days later, I got the call. When I first walked into my own apartment, I fell in love straight away. It’s perfect for me and my boys. I love that I can do whatever I want there. I can be myself. I don’t feel like I’m walking on eggshells. I also connected with the BYS Positive Transitions Program. Yarning with them about work and training made me realise I was actually ready. Compared to a year ago, I’ve completely turned my life around. I’m not sitting in a dark room on my phone, doing nothing. I’m in my own place, motivated, doing my own thing. This year, I had three main goals: to get a house for me and my boys, to get a car, and to find a job. And I’ve done all three. I’ve started working at a restaurant, I’ve got my own car, and I love knowing I don’t have to depend on anyone else anymore. And recently, my boys came back to me. They saw my apartment for the first time, and it was such a special moment.
Now, I’ve got a small, solid support circle around me. I’ve gone from being that little young girl roaming around the city, to someone independent, working, and building a future. Without BYS, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Honestly, hats off to them.
*Name and image has been changed to protect the young person’s identity
