Joe: Support in the legal system
“A lot of people, understandably, can feel lost in a courtroom. I see the difference that our service makes.”
“A lot of people, understandably, can feel lost in a courtroom. I see the difference that our service makes.”
“It’s the little things, like being able to cook with something other than a microwave. Or being able to do a load of washing whenever you want.”
“I think there are always going to be challenges for First Nations staff in any organisation across Australia. Racism is strong across all our communities [but] I believe in YFS and our values – we have a genuine, authentic approach to supporting each other and a strong understanding and awareness of diverse needs.”
“YFS is always on the precipice of wanting to better understand the community’s needs, so they can position their service to be as effective as possible.”
“With rapid growth and expansion, organisations and people within them can oftentimes lose their way...I think YFS has done a remarkable job of holding on to its founding ethos of existing for this community – to confront disadvantage and to walk alongside those in need.”
“When [university] students come in we try to give them the best possible placement so they are ready for whatever journey they take. You only get one chance to lay the foundations for your practice and you want to get that right.”
“They were like a breath of fresh air, right from the start. They literally pulled everything together...I will be forever grateful to the team.”
“I realised that I’m not in this world to make money for other people. I’m in this world to help people who are doing it tough.”
“By being at YFS for a long time, I was privileged to see the changes that occurred in our clients’ lives over many years. They would return to YFS to tell us about their employment, their homes, and their children’s education – a result of YFS’ influence in their lives.”
“You can’t change someone, they have to want it for themself. [But] you can speak truth to them, check in on them.”