Transforming these young lives can be a long process – in some cases it takes years of dedicated and persistent work before positive and lasting change occurs. But when it does, there’s plenty of reason to celebrate, as was the case with Tom*.
Tom was 15 when he first came into contact with On Track, which provides an alternative to police custody for vulnerable young people on Perth’s streets. When the police picked him up he was in a bad way, self-harming and using drugs.
After a very complicated and distressing start to life, by his teens Tom’s family situation had not improved. His mum had married a man who was controlling and imposing, which made an alternative life as a ‘goth’ seem all the more appealing to the young man.
Tom had stopped attending school and started self-harming. To complicate matters, he was also struggling with his sexuality. When things became unbearable at home, Tom moved in with his grandmother – but with the move came more problems.
“His grandmother was well-intentioned but when she tried to set very strict boundaries, which at the time only made matters worse,” said Vivienne. “She also thought homosexuality was unnatural, and vehemently disapproved of how he dressed and behaved. Not knowing how to deal with the constant criticism from someone he had turned to for love and protection, Tom’s confusion and anger turned to violence.”
Over the past two years Vivienne and the Making Tracks team have worked with Tom to help him address his identity, develop his esteem and channel his energy into positive activities:
“We helped him to get into kick-boxing and self-defence and provided him with the counselling he required. We recognised that he was very intelligent and articulate, so started to work with him on building on these strengths. No one had ever taken a strengths-based approach with him – that is concentrating on his assets. It took us 13 months of hard work to get him to believe in himself and develop the resilience to withstand challenges.”
Tom is now living back with his grandmother, who has grown to understand his lifestyle and the considerable obstacles he has faced in his short life. He continues to work through his issues with a psychiatrist and is taking medication.
Now 17 and ready to exit the Making Tracks program, Tom has a job and is studying youth work.
“Tom has agreed to stay in contact with Making Tracks in the future and to visit every once in a while,” said Vivienne. “His life has truly transformed.
“It’s good news stories like these that make me love my job,” she added. “I’ve been very lucky in my four-year journey at Mission Australia to work in programs that make a real difference.”
*Name and image changed to protect client identity
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