Ana* first found Youth Off The Streets two years ago.
“I was in the houses [crisis refuges] and they were incredibly beneficial for me,” she says. “It was crisis accommodation and from there, I got into transitional housing.”
Key to Ana’s sustained wellbeing was a pathway into secure employment. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, some victim-survivors return to violent households because of housing insecurity and poverty – highlighting that financial independence through work is critical for safety and housing stability.
Ana was staying at a Wesley Mission transitional house when her caseworker heard about Youth Off The Streets’ new employment program and suggested she apply.
Employment Pathways for Young Women
The Employment Pathways for Young Women program is funded by Women NSW’s Return to Work Pathways Program, a NSW Government initiative to support women from identified communities who are experiencing barriers to employment.
Across Youth Off The Streets services – including crisis accommodation support, alternative education, outreach and First Nations programs – our Registered Training Organisation (RTO) team selected candidates to participate in accredited and non-accredited work readiness and training programs.
The team, including RTO Program Specialist, Justin Hankinson, helped the young people identify their barriers to employment, their strengths, challenges and goals. Then they collaborated on personalised pathway plans to employment, specialised training and skills development, as well as mentorship.
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Ana was determined from the beginning to secure a placement, working with Justin and her caseworker to build up her skills over nine months until there was space for her on the program.
“To show that she was committed, Ana completed a series of non-accredited courses through the RTO,” Justin says. “I had a series of phone calls with Ana prior to her starting the recruitment process. It became clear from early on that she was motivated, interested and capable.”
Life after opportunity
Ana has continued as she started, demonstrating initiative and determination throughout her participation in the Employment Pathways for Young Women program.
“It has connected me to a lot of people,” she says, describing how the program has helped her.
“I’ve completed a couple of learning programs that will help me do more corporate work – they have practically everything in this huge library of resources and it helps build up your resume.
“Beyond courses, I’ve also earned my RSA [Responsible Service of Alcohol] and RCG [Responsible Conduct of Gambling], so that was very helpful.”
Through the program, Ana connected with an insurance company, where she started paid work three days a week. Impressed by her work ethic, she is now working full-time hours as an administration assistant.
“I think Ana has a strength behind her that shone out in my interactions, which clearly showed her to be thoughtful and present,” says Justin. “And above all, she has a wonderful sense of moral balance and humour. Her positivity and intelligence will guide her to a very successful future.”
When asked about that future, Ana is positive, despite the hardships she has endured.
“I have a lot of hopes and dreams,” she says, smiling.
Reflecting the integrity that Justin noticed right away, Ana concludes, “But something that I’m consistently interested in is politics – specifically, politics as it relates to identity. I want to make any positive change that I can possibly make.”
