Pathways to Employment

Through your donations Northern Futures is supporting young people and the long term unemployed to engage in pathways that will lead to employment. Funded with a $20,000 Give Where You Live Foundation Grant Northern Futures is able to support individuals, particularly those needing a second chance, to engage in programs that will build their capacity to engage in the workforce.

Judith presented to Geelong Work & Learning having been referred by her Job Active Provider in relation to assessing appropriate support and suitable vocational training. Judith is living between her elderly mum and daughter as she wasn’t able to maintain a household due to her anxiety and depression.  Judith was emotionally abused during her marriage which ended over 10 years ago and is currently undergoing counselling.  Judith was unsure of her vocational skills and interests, was very emotional and teary, had the mindset she was not able to work due to her mental health, and past emotional and mental abuse she had endured whilst married, had shattered her self-confidence.

Her life skills were letting her down, in that she had not learnt coping strategies during difficult times.  Work & Learning discussed the Getting Ahead Program offered by Northern Futures and the benefits she would get as the program is a foundation to understanding oneself and empowering one to make positive choices and change, to take back control of your life. Although Judith was anxious and reluctant, she made a commitment to ‘give it a go!’

The Getting Ahead Program is where Judith’s new story begins, week by week her confidence increased. She began to build relationships with her peers. Supported and encouraged by the staff & her fellow students, she began to make plans for the possibility of a ‘return to work’ and set herself small achievable tasks.  Since completing the Getting Ahead Program, Judith has been very pro-active, she has participated in NEIS seminar exploring ‘own business’ options, has interviewed for work with Northern Futures Industry Partner Care choice, obtained her First Aid Certificate & Working with Children’s Check and attended an Induction. She recently has been presented with minor obstacle of ‘appropriate referees’ and although Judith has found this frustrating she is not giving up!

Northern Futures was able support Judith’s participation in the program through their grant from Give Where You Live. At the Getting Ahead Graduation Judith wrote a Thank you letter to ‘Give Where You Live’  stating her gratitude for the opportunity sharing that “ This program has have given me my life back; YOU WILL NEVER KNOW HOW GRATEFUL I AM”

Congratulations, Judith. We look forward to following your journey!