Celebrating the little wins
Maree* adores children and recently completed her Certificate III in Education Support. Despite her passion and qualifications, Maree was concerned that she wouldn’t be able to find sustainable employment due to her mental health issues.
At Mission Australia, celebration is one of our core values. Throughout our organisation, we’re committed to recognising and celebrating the efforts and achievements of the people we help, our volunteers, our staff, and generous supporters like you. Here are a few recent stories from around the country worth celebrating…
One of our families and children services runs a Duplo Club to help young children build their confidence and develop healthy social skills.
The team recently celebrated a breakthrough with a seven-year-old boy named Max*. Max wouldn’t speak a word in the group, and didn’t play or socialise with the other children or the staff. Recently, however, he built a Lego aeroplane at home and asked his mother to bring it to Duplo Club for show and tell.
He was so excited to show it to the group, and when his turn arrived he spoke and smiled and answered questions about it with confidence. It was a fantastic moment for Max, his mother and the staff who have worked so patiently with him for many months.
A Mission Australia case worker helped Maree obtain a Working With Children Check, complete a cover letter and resume, and reach out to small local schools about volunteering opportunities. Maree and her caseworker attended an interview together with a school principal, and Maree was thrilled to be offered the opportunity to complete 100 hours of volunteer work.
Having not worked for more than two years, Maree now has a regular volunteer position, and is hopeful that this could lead to paid employment sometime in the future.
A 56-year-old man named Brett* was referred to one of our homelessness services from a local hospital. Brett’s life spiralled out of his control after the tragic death of his long-term partner.
The initial grief of loss spiralled into severe depression and anxiety, which drove him to destructive alcoholism. After detoxing in hospital, Brett moved in to one of our transitional accommodation properties and started participating in one-on-one counselling. Over time he took part in a range of programs to assist his recovery holistically, including therapeutic groups with other people in similar situations, art and yoga classes, and a meeting that helped him quit smoking. As Brett’s health improved, our staff helped him apply for social housing. In time he was approved for a small flat, and we helped him move in and furnish it. Staff at the service recently received this letter from Brett:
I am writing in appreciation to you and all the staff of Mission Australia. The journey I’ve been on while here could not have been so successful and positive without the help of you all. It has been like being invited into a family and I believe everyone has put in a lot of effort to make it feel this way. I was a real mess when I got here and I have received exactly the right help that was needed to start the healing – mentally and emotionally – following the death of my partner and the terrible horror of addiction. Thank you everyone.
* Names have been changed to protect the privacy of the people we helped.
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