For years, Gem lived without a stable place to call home.
He spent his days couch surfing and moving between emergency accommodation, never knowing how long he would be able to stay in one place.
Eventually, Gem connected with Youth Off The Streets’ homelessness service and moved into one of our refuges, where he heard about the Youth Off The Streets scholarship program.
“One of the workers there showed me what it was and told me I could really benefit from it,” says Gem. “I had a look and thought it looked pretty cool.”
Gem applied for the scholarship and was successful, receiving funding from Sony Foundation Australia to support his goals and invest in his future.
The scholarship came at a pivotal time. Alongside the practical support he was receiving, it helped him focus on his passion for music and begin planning beyond day-to-day survival.
Since receiving the scholarship, Gem’s circumstances have changed.
“It was three long years of moving around between refuges and temporary accommodation,” says Gem. “I’ve been in a new place for a year and I’ve been really happy. I can finally settle down and not think about moving, which really got me down a lot.”
While grateful for the support he received, Gem says nothing compares to having a place of his own.
“As helpful as the refuges were and as lovely as the workers were, it’s not home,” says Gem. “You’re there with a suitcase and very little on you.”
Today, having the security of a stable home has allowed Gem to continue developing his music and building a future on his own terms.
Turning goals into reality
The scholarship provided more than financial assistance – it gave Gem the resources he needed to invest in his goals and build greater stability in his life.
“I knew from the beginning that the funding would be really beneficial for me,” says Gem. “It’s helped me buy music equipment and work equipment.”
The scholarship helped Gem put together a small home studio, including guitars, a keyboard, a monitor and a desk setup.
“A good portion of it was funded by the scholarship,” he says. “It really lifted the pressure and financial weight off me.”
The scholarship also helped cover qualifications required for casual work, supported travel to a charity event in Melbourne where Gem spoke about his experience of homelessness and contributed to a gym membership that supports his physical and mental wellbeing.
Supported to learn the ropes
Through the scholarship, Gem was matched with mentor Kieran.
“It’s one thing chasing your dreams by yourself – you’re always running into walls and don’t have a clear trajectory,” he says. “Having a mentor was a big part of why I wanted the scholarship.”
Drawing on years of experience in business leadership, Kieran has helped Gem navigate the practical sides of building a career.
“Even though he’s extraordinarily busy, he always puts time aside to help me,” says Gem.
Gem and Kieran’s conversations often focus on planning for the future and addressing challenges as they arise.
“We talk about my short, medium and long-term goals,” says Gem. “He helps me form solutions to any obstacles and shares contacts and resources I wouldn’t have known about otherwise.”
The relationship has also opened professional opportunities, with Kieran offering Gem casual work. Combined with an entrepreneurship course that Gem completed, the mentorship has helped him develop the business skills needed to turn his music into a career.
Gem is equally grateful for the ongoing support of the Youth Off The Streets scholarships team.
“They’re always checking in to see how you’re going,” he says. “I’ve always loved keeping in touch with the people at Youth Off The Streets.”
Making music on his own terms
Now settled into a permanent home, Gem is focused on something he has wanted to do for years: record his first single.
“I’ve been in the studio with other bands before and I’ve recorded demos of my own, but until now I’ve barely had the chance – or money and resources – to sit down and get into a studio for myself,” he says.
While experiencing homelessness, focusing on music simply wasn’t possible.
“Leaving home shook me around,” he says. “The last four years have been chaotic.”
Looking ahead, Gem wants to continue developing his sound, perform with a live band and take his music on the road.
“I’d like to tour Australia and New Zealand next year,” says Gem. “I’ve toured the east coast of Australia and I’ve performed in London, so that feels like a natural next step.”
Gem hopes the coming years will bring more opportunities to create and perform.
“It’s difficult thinking about the future, you never know what’s going to happen,” says Gem. “I had to leave home ten days into 2022 and I had no idea that was going to happen.”
Reflecting on the opportunities the scholarship has provided, Gem says the experience has been life changing.
“I’m extremely grateful for this scholarship,” says Gem. “It’s helped me tremendously and I’ve met a lot of people through it.”
“It impacted my life for the better and I’m proud to be part of it.”
