South West YWCA NSW's JPET Good News Stories

To maintain confidentiality of our clients, all names and identifying information is withheld from these stories.

20 year old female

A 20 year old female client was referred to us and presented with multiple barriers. She was living in a domestic violent relationship and attended our initial meeting crying and bleeding from the forehead. Client explained that the bleeding was caused by a hit to the head in an attempt to prevent the client from attending the appointment.

Through personal support and in-house counselling, conducted mostly via phone in the beginning, this client became strong and confident enough to leave her violent relationship.

Afterwoods Client commenced casual employment (still being harassed, followed and abused from the partner) as an AIN and has now been working and growing stronger and more confident for approximately 1 year.

Currently assisting with an application for an enrolled nurses traineeship as this is the next step in achieving her long term goal.

Homeless

Client presented as homeless. Client was near the end of an 8 week non payment period  leaving the client in a dangerous and vulnerable position.

Client was unable to live with relatives due to a dysfunctional family background. Client was sleeping on the back seat of a car and only had a few items of clothing and no personal items such as deodorant, toothpaste, blankets etc. 

With the assistance from the client’s employment consultant, client was able to gain a work trial. With the use of brokerage we were able to purchase suitable clothing and shoes. Client succeeded in gaining the position.

Liaised with the Dept of Housing and gained assistance with motel fees for 1 week. With the use of the brokerage funds we were able to place the client into a motel for another week (which enabled the client to focus on presenting and performing well at work) while I advocated with the client’s employer and other housing services. 

Client was not eligible for housing through the Dept of Housing due to now being in full time employment but was eligible for Vinnie’s Youth Housing and was allocated housing within walking distance to work.

Through personal support, motivation and encouragement this client has grown in confidence and self esteem and has gone on to become fully independent.

Addicted

Client presented with multiple barriers. His major barrier was an addiction to ‘ice’. Client had turned to prostitution to support the addiction.

Initial attempts at counselling and detox failed due to a lack of trust in people and lack of support networks. Through constant support, encouragement and appropriate referrals, client has learnt to trust people and has now been drug free for approx 4 months.

Client has taken small but steady steps to recovery and is currently attending an anxiety management course. Client has followed correct instructions with his medication to control depression.

Client states, is now ready to take a larger step and is now ready to commence in work experience.