At the age of 11, Kai* was already living on the streets. By the age of 13, he was misusing substances and struggling with depression and low self-esteem.
“I didn’t realise it at the time, but my issues originated from my troubled upbringing and having been raised by parents who were both substance users,” he says.
Kai had been living on the streets for a while and had made multiple attempts at rehabilitation when he moved from regional New South Wales to Sydney, where he continued sleeping rough.
It was there that Kai was approached by Youth Off The Streets staff while they were doing after-hours outreach.
“When they first approached me, I was alone, isolated and contemplating suicide,” says Kai.
At first, Kai was reluctant to take up the offer of staff to stay at a Youth Off The Streets crisis refuge. Still, staff continued checking in on Kai.
“The staff provided me with food and blankets and kept in regular contact with me,” he says.
That steady presence slowly shifted something for Kai.
“After a long time, I came to trust the staff enough to accept their help,” says Kai. “That’s when things started to change for me.”
At first, Kai just spent some nights at the crisis accommodation, where the staff and a Youth Off The Streets psychologist slowly built rapport with him. This consistent support helped build trust over time, allowing Kai to feel ready to move from overnight stays to a more stable placement.
Kai was then connected with a dedicated caseworker who helped him work on his goals, including accessing mental health support.
“My caseworker referred me to counselling to address my depression and low moods, which originated from family and trauma issues,” says Kai.
“After six months of counselling my moods started to lift and I started believing in myself.”
Finding steady ground
Improving his mental health and receiving support for his drug dependence helped Kai find stability in other areas of his life too. With the encouragement of staff who believed in him, he began to work towards a future beyond survival.
“I was able to secure part-time employment and began to further my studies,” he says.
Starting a job and continuing his studies were just the beginning of Kai’s journey to independence.
“My caseworker helped me to prepare for transitional accommodation by providing me with living skills support and case coordination,” he says. “I also received aftercare even after I moved out of the refuge and into transitional housing.”
This support was vital in helping Kai find his footing.
Today, Kai is living in transitional housing, continuing his studies and working. While the impact of his upbringing still exists, he now has the tools and support to manage those emotions and work towards his goals.
“Your staff believed in me and gave me the confidence to build a better life for myself,” says Kai.
“I am now more positive with where my life is heading and I have a newfound confidence in myself.”
Youth Homelessness Matters Day: What it takes to create lasting change
Kai’s story is one of many. Every night, thousands of young people across Australia don’t have a safe place to sleep – often as a result of domestic violence and family breakdown.
Youth Off The Streets supports young people at every stage of their journey, from crisis accommodation and individualised casework to education and employment pathways. This wraparound approach ensures young people are not just housed, but supported to heal, build independence and move towards long-term stability.
On Youth Homelessness Matters Day, we recognise that ending youth homelessness requires more than a bed for the night. It requires prevention and early intervention programs, long-term investment and a homelessness system that listens to young people and responds to their needs.
With the right support at the right time, young people like Kai can move beyond survival and begin building a more positive future.
*Name and image changed to protect the privacy of the young person
