Young Parents Program helps children get a better start in life

Life’s journey has not always been an easy one for Keisha, partner Shane and her three daughters, Aleisha, Lacey and Shayla. So in the latter part of 2009, they decided to relocate from Brisbane to Townsville, hoping to create a more stable future for the family, with better employment opportunities.

The early days were tough, as they had had moved away from the support of friends and family and were struggling financially.  Keisha was a stay at home mother at this time, but found a new direction when the family attended some of the Young Parents Programs offered by Queensland Youth Services Inc. (QYS).

The success of this program was recently highlighted in the Closing the Gap: Prime Minister’s Report 2013.

QYS supports parents who are under 25 years old, their partners and children through various programs, outreach, support, information and referral. Although a mainstream service, the Young Parents Program consistently supports a high number of Indigenous parents and their children.

In the 2011-12 year 45 per cent of clients were from Indigenous families. The service proactively seeks collaborative partnerships with other services and organisations and that has led to excellent outcomes for Indigenous parents and their young children.

With the support of Young Parents coordinator Ruth Martin, Keisha joined a playgroup and signed up for the Young Parents Program.

Keisha quickly made friends with other young mothers, found the confidence to get her license, learn about budgeting and finances and complete a Certificate III in Aged Care.

Since completing the program in January 2012, Keisha has gained employment as an assistant in nursing at an aged care facility and volunteers at Aleisha’s school once a week.

Keisha is keen to explore her Aboriginal heritage more fully, and has recently joined the school’s Indigenous committee which aims to integrate Indigenous cultural practices within the school and look at ways to help Indigenous children who may be experiencing learning difficulties.

While Keisha is very proud of her achievements to date, she plans to undertake further study to become an enrolled and/or registered nurse.