The challenge of distance did not stop Jobfind and Brave Foundation from becoming close allies to support two young women on their pathways to success.
Ada* and Melissa* are young expectant mothers from regional Innisfail QLD and participants with Jobfind’s Transition to Work service. To offer them extra support on their career journey, their Employment Consultant, Kylie Leimanis, referred them to Brave Foundation’s digital SEPT program, connecting them with a mentor more than 1600km away.
“I referred them to Brave Foundation to build the scaffold of support around them as they prepare to enter employment and motherhood,” explains Kylie.
More than just a job for now, the young women are planning for the future, says Kylie.
Strong foundations first
The Brave SEPT (Supporting Expecting and Parenting Teens) program offers one-on-one virtual mentoring support to rural, remote and isolated pregnant and parenting young people to ensure they are connected to parenting support, life support and career opportunities in their local communities.
That’s why Kylie reached out to Brave Foundation.
“Both young women had experienced housing instability and domestic violence and were located regionally. Brave Foundation’s online mentoring service was a good fit for their needs.”
Soon, Ada and Melissa were connected to their virtual mentor, Karina Hillard, based in Brisbane.
Karina’s support is personalised to each of her participants and often includes help to navigate services and systems and connect them to relevant services such as mental health support.
Karina says: “With a focus on connection and building rapport with our participants, we can virtually walk alongside our participants through their parenting and pregnancy journey.”
Potential: Unlimited
Kylie believes that building her participants’ self-belief helps to unlock their potential.
“They are amazing young women with huge potential; they needed self-belief and support.”
The career planning they undertook in the Transition to Work program led both young women into vocational courses in the care sector.
Brave Foundation offered further study assistance by facilitating the purchase of laptops and stationery and additionally, essential nursery items for when the babies arrive.
Karina says: “A collaboration of our services made sense given a core component of our program is a focus on exploring education and pathways to employment and reducing barriers to these pathways.”
Kylie has seen a huge change in Ada in the four months since she’s been working with her.
“She has turned her life around and is focussed on being a role model to her child.”
With Kylie’s help, Melissa has clearance to work with children, is studying, and determined to become an enrolled nurse one day. Kylie, a former science teacher, has even offered to share her textbooks with her to get her through her studies.
“I told her there’s no limits to what she can achieve,” says Kylie.
Kylie and Karina deeply understand their joint investment in the young women will benefit their future families. “They’re worth it,” says Kylie.
*names changed for privacy.
About Transition to Work
Workforce Australia – Transition to Work delivered by Jobfind is designed to support and empower young people aged 15-24 years to gain the skills and experience they need to secure meaningful employment.
At Jobfind, participants work one-on-one with a Youth Mentor to engage with education and employment opportunities in their local area. Jobfind offers Transition to Work in Cairns QLD and surrounding area. For more information, visit: https://jobfind.com.au/job-seekers/young-people/
