Becky first heard about the impact YFS was having in the Logan community eleven years ago from a fellow mum at her children’s daycare centre.
“We got talking about her work [with YFS]. I thought ‘this is really exciting; I want to come work there’.”
Becky was keen for a position where she could still spend significant time at home with her young children, however, and it was a couple of years before the right vacancy presented itself.
“When a part-time position came up in reception, I applied. I got the job and I loved it – it involved diving right in, learning all the programs, and I really enjoy being busy.”
“[Another] of the joys of working in reception is getting to know and talk to everybody.”
As Becky began learning about the different programs at YFS she was increasingly drawn to the work of the Connect team (now known as the Centre-based Response team) who helped people in crisis, listening to their needs and connecting them to the right YFS program for ongoing support.
And when Becky successfully applied for a role with Connect eight months after starting in Reception, she found it was an excellent fit.
“I realised that I’m able to stay calm in crisis situations. And I liked the fact that no day is the same.”
Over the next few years, Becky kept developing her skills in both crisis response and case management across several roles before becoming an Embedded Housing Worker with the Assessment Service Connect team, who help prevent families from entering, or re-entering, the child safety system.
“It was an all-female team who were so smart, so knowledgeable, so willing to share – working in that team changed me as a person.”
“I learned about patriarchy, gendered violence, misconceptions around domestic and family violence and so many things which complemented my housing skills.”
“They challenged me and weren’t afraid to say they disagreed, but always in a really respectful way. They made me a better worker. I’m so grateful for my time on that team.”
Becky now manages both the Homelessness Outreach and Logan Advance to Zero programs, which help remove barriers people experiencing homelessness often face – like needing to visit an unfamiliar space before receiving support.
“I loved the idea of a program where we could go and meet people, often very marginalised people, in their own space. Where they wouldn’t feel judged having to come into a building as the only person without shoes or a shower or a tie.”
Although the Homelessness Outreach program only commenced in February 2024, it has already had a huge impact on the lives of people in the Logan region. One particularly memorable moment, for Becky, was seeing the courage and skills of her Outreach team as they kept people sleeping rough safe during Cyclone Alfred, in ever-evolving conditions.
“The response of the team during that crisis was phenomenal. I’m really proud of them.”
And leading a team of housing professionals as they supported their community during a natural disaster is something Becky’s teenage self would have thoroughly approved.
“I did a psychology degree in the UK, and I remember telling a friend I wanted to work in community services. And then 25 years went by, where I was working in hospitality.
“That 19-year-old knew what she wanted. She just took a bit of a journey to get there, I guess.”
Becky has now been working at YFS for nine years. For her, something that stands out about the organisation is the way YFS’ values aren’t something buried in a filing cabinet but are lived and breathed every day.
“I think there’s hope here, at YFS, which is precious in a world which sometimes feels like we’re going backwards.”
