"You're Not Alone": Three Young People Share Their Stories
This Homelessness Week, three young people who came to the Youth Housing and Reintegration Service (YHARS) agreed to share their stories. To protect their privacy and wellbeing, images of YHARS participants have not been used. The stories shared are authentic and presented in the young people's own words.
Homelessness Week is recognised in early August and the national theme says it plainly: Homelessness Action Now, because we know what works. Homelessness Australia coordinates the week each year to build community support and drive the change needed to ensure everyone has a safe and secure home.
At MRAEL Shaping Futures, we see what works up close. Stable housing, a way to stay in education, and one reliable person in a young person's corner can change the entire shape of a life. This Homelessness Week, three young people who came to the Youth Housing and Reintegration Service (YHARS) agreed to share their stories. To protect their privacy and wellbeing, images of YHARS participants have not been used. The stories shared are authentic and presented in the young people's own words.
Starting from a hard place
For Lucy, 17, reaching out wasn't really a choice so much as a lifeline. "When I first connected with YHARS, I was homeless, living in a hotel. I was also on the verge of being kicked out of school," she said. "I knew I needed help one way or another, and YHARS seemed to be the only support that was suitable for me in the area."
Katie, 19, was carrying a heavy load on her own. "I was going through a really hard time and needed support. I knew I couldn't do it on my own," she said.
Jack, 18, remembers the isolation most of all. "I had no structure, family or support. I felt helpless and alone," he said. Having heard positive things about YHARS, he decided to reach out.
Help that made the difference
For all three young participants, stable housing was the turning point that made everything else possible. It's exactly the kind of solution the Homelessness Week theme points to: we already know what works, and now it's about acting at the scale the crisis demands.
"Having someone help me find stable housing and support me through everything made a big difference," Katie said.
For Lucy, safe accommodation went hand in hand with getting her education back on track. "The biggest help has been finally having a safe place to live and also getting back into school more. This has made such a big difference in my life, as I now feel safe having a stable location to live. My youth worker has also helped get me back into school regularly, as I really struggled with that."
Jack felt the same pull back towards his future. "The assistance and support YHARS provided enabled me to continue my education, instead of entering the workforce," he said. His support worker went above and beyond, driving him to school each day and making sure he didn't miss out on a rite of passage. "My support worker was able to take me to school every day. Additionally, my support worker purchased my formal outfit for me."
The moment things started to turn around
Sometimes it's one small win that shifts everything.
For Katie, it was walking through the door of somewhere safe. "Getting into safe accommodation made me feel like life was finally starting to improve," she said.
For Lucy, it was proving something to herself. "When I got accepted for a place, I felt really happy. I was so proud of myself for finally making it that far, since I never thought I would be able to."
Someone in their corner
Ask any of them about their youth worker and the warmth is immediate.
"My youth worker has been supportive, understanding and always there when I needed someone," Katie said.
Lucy feels the same. "I'm so glad my youth worker is there for me. I get along with him really well, and he understands me more than anyone else I've ever tried to get support from."
For Jack, that relationship has been life-changing. "He is a phenomenal human and an even better support worker. He is kind and understanding, and only wants the best for me. It is an absolute pleasure to know he is there for me. Our relationship is a balance of support worker and client, and friends."
What they'd say to someone doing it tough
We asked each of them what they'd tell another young person who's struggling right now and unsure whether to ask for help.
"Don't be afraid to ask for help. It can change your life, and you're not alone," said Katie.
Jack kept it simple and hopeful. "Life gets tough, but it will always get better. Support is available, so reach out. I'll be ready. It'll be okay."
And Lucy, who once felt she had nowhere to turn, now wants others to know that reaching out is a strength, not a weakness. "It's okay to ask for help. Asking for help isn't weak, like most people stereotype it as. It's quite a brave and very hard thing to do, so they shouldn't feel bad for asking. The services exist to be utilised, whether it's their housing, finances, mental health or just anything they are struggling with. It's okay to ask."
Three young people, three very different starting points, and one message they all landed on: you don't have to do it on your own. This Homelessness Week, that's exactly why action now matters. We know what works. Lucy, Katie and Jack are the proof.
The privacy and safety of the young people we work with is our priority. Full names, identifying details and images have been withheld to protect their anonymity. Each young person shared their story willingly and gave permission for it to be published. Their words have been reproduced with their consent.
