Donna's Story | Page 4 | Youth Insearch

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Wed, 12/12/2018 - 00:00

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Newsletter, Stories

“Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re going to get on the inside.”

I have worked in many fields that have involved supporting people. I started as a nurse and then went into aged care and worked as a Diversional Therapist. I moved from there to working with women and children from domestic violence where I specialised in children. All this was in rural Qld. When I moved to Logan I started working with homeless youth. This is somewhere that I found I could really make a difference. 

I myself grew up with a mum who had mental health issues, I come from a broken family; I survived 14 years of domestic violence, and I’m an alcoholic, 12 years dry. 

I love working with children, and it was working with one young man that I met this amazing enthusiastic woman called Jennie. She was telling me all about this Youth Insearch. I thought I must know more and find out what this is all about, so I went on a weekend workshop. Wow, what an experience it was. I don’t think I have ever felt so emotional yet so supported. I’ve never felt so much love and friendship in one place. I was so amazed at the strength and resilience and the growth that I saw in young people in one weekend.

I got to see the true value of Youth Insearch and I got to see where Jennie got her spark and her passion. 

Not only have I seen growth in young people, but this has also given me the opportunity to have growth in myself. For the first time don’t have blame or shame. 

I am committed to not only helping young people, but to helping myself. Where this journey takes me, I don’t know. Life is like a box of chocolates. You try one and don’t like it – try another one. Anyone can make a change.