Monica dreams of becoming a professional artist.
The multi-talented 20-year-old loves painting, writing, sketching and taking photographs – and she doesn’t want to diminish any of her passions by labelling them ‘hobbies’.
“I just want to be able to do everything creatively,” says Monica, now in her second year of university.
“Right now, I’m saving up to complete a short course at an art school near Paris. It’s managed by a French animator who has made films that have been nominated for Oscars – and it’s very cool that he’s carrying on traditional animation techniques.”
Monica’s dreams of a career in the creative arts are closer than ever to being realised. But only a few years ago, she was unsure whether she would ever get to university.
“I lived a few hours away from Sydney, in a town about twenty minutes from Wollongong down on the South Coast.
“Moving out of my hometown was such a taboo. I didn’t know anyone my age who wanted to leave, but that had always been my dream.
“I had no money and I really wanted to go to university.”
As Monica explored pathways for financial assistance, she remembered how her elder sister had received support from Youth Off The Streets’ National Scholarship Program.
“My sister got the scholarship when she was still in high school,” Monica remembers.
“The program offers so many different things. What my sister really benefitted from was her mentoring experience.”
Monica applied for the National Scholarship Program in 2021. She became a successful beneficiary of the Pick-Up Truck Pictures Scholarship, which is funded by Australian actor Eric Bana and his wife Rebecca.
Discussing the scholarship at the program’s 2021 awards, Eric Bana described the reasons for their support.
“We feel very passionately about helping young people achieve the goals they set for themselves – and creating a pathway through Youth Off The Streets to help them.”
“Of course,” adds Monica, “you have to feel the motivation yourself, first. But having someone like Eric Bana read your life-story and choose to support you is just overwhelmingly great. It pushes you so much more.”
With the financial support of the Pick-Up Truck Pictures scholarship, Monica could relocate to Sydney for her studies.
She moved in with her sister. Together, they paid the bond for a new apartment. Monica was now able to afford household bills, furniture, textbooks, paint and her first-ever laptop.
Each of these purchases prepared Monica for university, where she began a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Drama.
“I chose Drama partly to get over my stage fright,” Monica says.
“I was always such a quiet, reserved person. But then I was a part of productions like The Three Sisters by Chekov and The Merry Wives of Windsor.
“Performing for a year changed how I view acting and reading and people in general.”
Studying performance enhanced Monica’s maturity and understanding of the world. So did the support she received from Youth Off The Streets’ Scholarships team.
Jude Lopez, Scholarship and Mentoring Lead, and Scholarships Administrator Christalla Dedousis checked in with Monica on a regular basis. They gave her advice on a whole array of subjects – from managing her scholarship funds to adjusting to full-time study.
When Monica’s mentor withdrew from the program for health reasons, Jude even volunteered to fill the position temporarily.
That’s why Monica believes that this scholarship is very different from every other kind.
“There are so many people behind the scenes who are willing to help you. You’ll always be supported and cheered on and you don’t need to be afraid to talk to anyone at Youth Off The Streets if you’re struggling.”
While Monica is saving to study abroad, she is also in the process of transferring to her dream university. Beginning in September 2023, Monica will study a Bachelor of Arts – as well as a Japanese course, which will allow her to read many of her favourite books in their original language.
“I’d like to write a book of short stories too – novels are a bit daunting.” Monica laughs.
“Once I’ve saved up for the animation school, I also really want to make a film about how my Nonno won my Nonna’s heart in southern Italy.”
Inspired by her experience with the National Scholarship Program, Monica hopes to one day support young people who encounter barriers to higher education.
“When I’m older and I have a house and time on my hands, I definitely want to give back,” she says.
“With my background, I wasn’t given anything to start with.
“I’ve had to build everything in my life – and that’s what I’m doing.”
To find out more about the Youth Off The Streets National Scholarship Program, click here.