More children are entering South Australia’s child protection system than ever before, which means more young people will need support when they exit care into adulthood.
In South Australia, young people leaving out-of-home care independently will often exit the child protection system without the emotional and financial support of family or state.
AnglicareSA’s Post Care Pathways program fills this gap by providing subsidised housing and direct service support for young people leaving care, aged 18 to 25.
The program provides immediate access to housing that is safe, affordable and appropriate, and individual support focussing on health, well-being, life skills, engagement in education, employment, and social inclusion.
The AnglicareSA-funded program aims to help young people leaving care reach their individual goals by providing stability and opportunity as they take those first vital and formative steps into adulthood alone in one of the nation’s most challenging economic and social times.
Our youth services have seen a significant increase in demand in recent years due to the rising cost of living and the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
We know that more children are entering South Australia’s child protection system than ever before, which means more young people will need support when they exit care into adulthood.
Your donation can support young people to:
- Navigate their way out of homelessness
- Afford a suitable rental property
- Learn vital life skills that no one shows them when they’re growing up
- Build confidence
- Make mistakes in a safe and caring environment and learn from them
- Develop a community of support
- Provide education and training
Make your tax-deductible donation today and help provide the support needed to make the transition into adulthood a little less bumpy and provide hope for a future that’s a whole lot brighter.
Together, we change lives.
How your donation helps young South Australians like Sally*
I’m sharing my story so that you can know how supporting young South Australians like me can be so life changing and why so much more support is needed.
When I was five years old, my four brothers and I were removed from our home because our parents were unable to look after us. We were neglected and physically and emotionally abused. The only safe place for us at the time was emergency residential care.
I was separated from my brothers and placed with a foster family and then another and then another. I always felt out of place and out-of-luck.
I really missed my brothers. So, to block out the pain of missing them and to forget past trauma, I used drugs. My life was volatile and unpredictable.
When I was 12, I left my foster home to be closer to my brothers. But I was again moved to live with another family where I never felt I fitted in. I eventually left that home and slept rough.
The next four years were a blur between foster care, couch surfing, and sleeping in cars.
When I was 16, I found a youth support program run by AnglicareSA called Launch180. For the first time, I learnt how to cook for myself, how to pay bills, to shop on a budget and keep my place tidy. I felt safe and secure. I started to dream about my future.
I worked with my case manager, and we started planning life goals and thinking about future employment opportunities. I did a barista course and a local café offered me some work experience.
Things were finally starting to feel hopeful for the first time in a very long time. Then, when I turned 18, I was told I would no longer have support through the child protection system. Where would I go? Would I have to couch surf again? What was I going to do?
Then I heard from AnglicareSA again and their Post Care Pathways program. The program provides housing and support for young people like me who have left care and are at greater risk of ending up on the streets, in hospital or in prison.
After my 18th birthday, I moved into AnglicareSA’s subsidised rental accommodation. I had a safe and stable place to stay. I made new friends and met young people who had similar traumatic upbringings as mine.
I used to feel shame and guilt about my story, but when you hear someone else say they experienced the same things, it makes you feel so much better to know you’re not alone.
I even got to see my brothers again and got a casual job in a café not far from me. I don’t know what will happen in the future, but it looks brighter and safe and steady enough to dream again.
*Name and identity has been changed to protect privacy