“I really need this job as much as I need to breathe” said Jayden, 19, on a text message he

sent to his boss three weeks ago.

 

Jayden dropped out of school in Grade 9. Increased arguments with his father and hanging around with the wrong people led him to problematic drug use at 13.

 

The Logan Hospital referred him to YFS, a week after attending the place with a drug induced psychosis.

 

“A YFS worker came to my house and started talking about what was going on, trying to help. She made me realise that I had a few things that I needed to work on. I was still smoking though. It just got worse and worse, to the point that I was homeless for a night,” he recalls.

 

A day at Court also made Jayden change his mind. He started taking YFS’ advice on board. He knew it was time to make some drastic changes for him to be able to kick his destructive habit.

 

Jayden worked with YFS across two programs for nearly two years. He credits his worker's support and advice with helping him store up enough confidence and courage to quit smoking drugs and start a new life.

 

He has successfully gained employment and ceased his drug use. He sought out volunteer opportunities and ways to gain new skills and some experience.

 

“I thought some volunteering at Substation33 was my best bet and still is. They offered me a job and since then, I come in

every day."

 

“Having a job makes me feel like I've found purpose in life.

You got the money, so if you need something you just go out and buy it. I've improved my work ethic. It's helped me become a better person.”

 

Jayden volunteers at Substation33 pulling apart electronic waste. He also does some ground maintenance work at YFS’ social enterprise, Workcrew. “I usually go out in the ute or in the truck to do furniture removal or do some lawns. It´s not too hard. It’s nice to get to do some work.”

 

His mental health has improved and so has his relationship with

his Dad.

 

“I can actually sit down and have a conversation with him.

I've learnt social skills. I’m happy with what I’ve achieved and a lot more optimistic about my future. I want to be able to buy a house and get a car. I´m doing my driving lessons. I´ll have my licence within a year maybe,” he says.

 

 

 

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"I dropped out of school in Grade 9.

I didn't like school. I found some new friends; I went to live with them and they weren't going to school.

We were just smoking weed.

I wouldn't go back.”

 

 

 

 

"I smoke cigarettes now. I tried to quit last week but it didn't work. I only quit smoking drugs about five months ago. I feel a lot better. Sometimes it made me sick but I never realised; I just kept doing it.

I just couldn't be bothered to do anything to change that. It certainly, wasn't a good time.”

 

 

 

"Sometimes I talk to my mother on Facebook. We're not close.

I am close with my father now.

It feels good.”

 

 

 

 

”I tell my friends that I work there and that I help a lot of people.

If you're going through a rough patch in your life, your best bet is to sign

up with YFS and Substation33,

if you're local.”

 

YFS is funded by the Australian Government and the Queensland Government.

YFS acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are Australia's First Peoples and the traditional owners and custodians of the land on which we meet and work.