Sounds of hope from a new generation

Growing up an only child in a small town in rural NSW, Clare* spent her childhood dreaming of becoming a country music star, just like Emmylou Harris.

Today, 18-year-old Clare is a talented singer, songwriter and guitarist who plays in a country music band, singing songs full of love, hope and dreams. When she’s not rehearsing, she spends her time networking in the music industry, hoping to secure the recording contract that will catapult her to country music fame.

But Clare’s journey from wishful child to confident musician was not all smooth and rosy. In that small country town, Clare was constantly teased at school because she was the daughter of an alcoholic father.

Her mum left them when she was small and Clare grew up giving more care to her dad than he gave to her. Clare’s dad spent most of his money on alcohol and Clare would often go hungry. Understandably, education was the last of her priorities, so she didn’t go to school often.

Clare’s childhood is the epitome of disadvantage. Marred by poverty, neglect and poor education, Clare was overlooked by the system. But with admirable strength, Clare chose to overcome adversity and find a new way forward.

Her breakthrough came thanks to an opportunity provided through landmark Mission Australia service, Creative Youth Initiatives (CYI). CYI is Mission Australia’s creative arts program for young people who are facing life challenges including; substance abuse, family separation, unemployment, mental health problems, homelessness and disengagement from education.

Operating with the kind support of our donors, staff at CYI use visual arts and music to help disadvantaged young people work through their issues, through two TAFE-accredited programs.

Sounds of the Street is the music component where students write lyrics, create songs, are introduced to music software and gain an understanding of the music industry. Sounds of the Street students are also invited to have their songs included in a yearly compilation album and to perform their songs at the annual CD launch.

Through the visual arts component, called Artworks, students explore their creativity through painting, sketching, sculpture, life drawing, spray art and graphic design. The art students also have an end-of-year event where they exhibit their works, and even sell them, to the public and press.

The CYI courses offer a completely different learning environment from conventional classrooms. CYI is a chance for young people to re-shape their future in a non-judgemental space.

A fresh start
By the age of 17, Clare had had enough of living the life she never chose. She took a bus to Sydney in the hope of a new beginning and the chance to live her dreams. But after a few months of couch surfing, things weren’t looking much better.

Then one day, while wandering around the laneways of Surry Hills, Clare heard the celebratory noises of live music and laughter and people enjoying a barbecue. She had unknowingly stumbled upon the Sounds of the Streets CD launch in the garage of the
CYI studios – and her life was irrevocably changed.

When we got chatting to Clare at the launch and she shared her story, we recognised how much she needed our help. Our first priority was to find her suitable, emergency accommodation. Seeing how excited she was about the opportunities that a course like Sounds of the Street could lead to, we offered Clare a place in the program.

Despite the difficult times she had experienced, Clare was absolutely bursting with excitement to embrace this fresh opportunity. Clare worked extremely hard and learnt as much as she could about producing music. While financial worries sometimes pulled her down, Clare was determined not to let this affect her studies. She found a part-time job and with the help of her Support Coordinator, found long-term accommodation. Clare has now completed the Sounds of the Street course and is studying music at TAFE. She loves being part of her country music band and they regularly perform gigs.

The needs of a generation
Young people today face an immense number of challenges. Mental health disorders affect an astounding 40 per cent of young people aged 16 to 24¹, and 80 per cent of CYI students are identified as having mental health issues. In our most recent annual Youth Survey, 50,000 Australians aged 11 to 24 ranked body image as the top-most issue of personal concern. Almost one-third of young people surveyed told us they are concerned about how to cope with stress.

While the statistics can be overwhelming, they highlight the incredible needs of our youth as they wrestle with a whole spectrum of issues. But, thanks to the remarkable generosity of our supporters, we are able to use our long history and experience of working with young people and assist them to overcome their challenges in a balanced and healthy way.

For most of the youth at CYI, like 21-year old Brett*, the music and art classes provide that all-important sense of belonging and self-expression that they have not had the opportunity to explore before.

Brett’s story
Brett* was bullied all the way through primary and high school because of his epilepsy, a heart problem and an acquired brain injury. Picked on for being ‘different’, Brett developed depression and anxiety and lacked the confidence to make friends and socialise like other teenagers.

Unlike Clare, Brett grew up in the arms of a supportive and loving family, but he had greater needs than school could meet. Instead of finishing school with a sense of liberation and excitement about the adult opportunities ahead, Brett felt lost, lonely and misunderstood.

He started a computer course at TAFE, but realising that wasn’t his passion and that he needed more support than the course could offer, Brett’s teacher referred him to CYI.

Brett’s real heart’s desire was creating sculptures. He had even set up a makeshift workshop in his garage at home and loved to create sculptures from recycled materials. Brett also loved to write stories about his creations and name each piece of his art. So it was a natural progression for Brett to begin the Artworks course at CYI.

CYI has been the ideal forum in which Brett could find his strengths and explore his creativity. With the support of his case manager, Brett was encouraged to talk about his identity and how he can express that in his art. As well as providing a creative outlet for Brett to explore his passion, Mission Australia staff have helped Brett work on his social skills and build up his self-confidence.

Brett has immensely enjoyed Artworks and the changes in him, especially socially, are clear for all to see. He has become a popular member of the class and his vivid imagination and  animated nature have added so much energy to the studio.
“Artworks is so awesome!”, Brett exclaims. “I can’t say it any other way. I’ve always had lots of ideas for things but it’s hard getting them out of my head. Here I’m doing what I love and I feel like me, for the first time.”

An effective approach
Over the 18 years it has been operating, CYI has been a remarkably effective and relevant program.

Young people who have been through the school of hard knocks find that CYI is a lifesaver. Most graduates go on to further education and employment, finding a motivation and sense of self-worth they have never felt before.

Students leave the Artworks and Sounds of the Street programs with a better understanding of how to take care of their mental, physical and sexual health; greater knowledge of the impact of drug and alcohol abuse; and the ability to make sound decisions. Graduates also gain money management know-how; improved ability to stand up for themselves; and increased social networks and relationship skills. This is aside from their TAFE-qualification and whole toolkit of creative skills, including a student portfolio.

Clare and Brett are testimony to the long-term solutions that Mission Australia services like CYI offer. With the help of our wonderful supporters, we are able to offer so many disadvantaged young people the chance to build a brighter future. Regardless of who they are, the mistakes they may have made in the past – or what injustices our youth have experienced, CYI turns heartbreak and despair into hope and empowerment.

* Names and images have been changed to protect the identities of our clients.

¹ ABS. 2008. National survey of mental health and wellbeing: Summary of results. Cat. No. 4326.0. Canberra: ABS.