SA - Australian Red Cross

PAGE 12
SA NEWS
Building a future against the odds
“It’s helping me personally with the
steps for where I want to go, with
work and all that,” says Matt. Step
Out also helps Matt to unwind in the
most important way: kicking the footy
with Darren.
“He gets a bit lonely but he realises
that it’s important for him to stay out
of trouble,” says Darren – who at
times has been Matt’s only point of
contact, particularly when family and
friends either haven’t been around or
make life difficult. “Now he’s met
some new friends at this training
course,” says Darren.
The Step Out mentoring program helps young people in SA connect with a more positive future.
Photo: Australian Red Cross
At a time when many other
young people in Australia are
relying on their parents’
support, 17-year-old Matt*
was living in difficult
conditions without any help.
He was forced to take a
restraining order out on his
parents and was living in
supported accommodation.
Because he often needed
money and slept rough, he
had a history of aggravated
assault and was going
through the court system for
armed robbery.
Matt started making changes when he
met Darren, a peer mentor with
Australian Red Cross who talked to
Matt about the Step Out program.
“With Step Out you get to go out once
a week for two hours on a day that
suits you,” says Matt. “It helps me to
keep out of trouble. Helps to keep me
active so I’m not bored.”
Through Step Out, Matt has been able
to achieve his goals of obtaining and
maintaining independent
accommodation, gaining short term
employment, and attending court and
other appointments. He has also built
a resume, attended job interviews and
been accepted into a construction
industry training course.
Since his involvement with Step
Out, Matt hasn’t re-offended. It’s a
major achievement. When Matt went
to trial regarding his final outstanding
matter, he was given a four month
suspended sentence and an eight
month good behaviour bond. The
judge attributed his recent successes
to Step Out. “We’ve got a lot of
participants and Matt has really
shone above,” says Darren. “He was
really ready to make a difference in
his own life.”
“I recommend Step Out because it’s
good,” says Matt. “I reckon people
should do it. It helps you with heaps
of things like court. Whatever needs
to be done, they’ll help you out.”
*Name has been changed.
For more information on
the Step Out program or to
make a donation to support
our vital everyday work go
to redcross.org.au or call
1800 811 700.
South Australia
207-217 Wakefield Street Adelaide SA 5000
PO Box 2265 Adelaide SA 5001
Telephone: (08) 8100 4500
Facsimile: (08) 8100 4501
Email: sainfo@redcross.org.au
National Office
155 Pelham Street Carlton South VIC 3053
PO Box 196 Carlton South VIC 3053
Telephone: (03) 9345 1800
Facsimile: (03) 9348 2513
Email: natinfo@redcross.org.au