Building a bright future

Published: 

9 December 2024 10:05AM

When they first became homeless, Tyler wasn’t sure if they would survive to adulthood. Shortly before their 17th birthday, the non-binary teenager left home and spent the next 12 months couch-surfing with 4 different friends.

'I wasn’t certain I was going to make it to 20. When I was having to find somewhere to sleep, I was just thinking about that moment – just keeping my head above water, while still trying to finish high school.'

Tyler says the situation threw their life off course.

'When I did start uni, my mental health was extraordinarily poor, and it was extremely difficult just to show up and exist at that level that everybody else was at without the same foundations.'

Tyler eventually applied for a place at the Logan Youth Foyer, which helps to support vulnerable young people aged 16 to 25 while they develop the skills they need to lead independent lives.

'When I moved in, I was able to start getting other opportunities. That was when I realised how much of a bare minimum I’d been operating at before just to make it through,' Tyler says.

Tyler is now working as a swim teacher while studying at uni, and says life at the foyer has given them the stability to build a life for themselves now and after they transition out of the foyer environment.

'At the foyer, I’m in charge of myself, but I’m still very much part of a community. I have somebody who checks in with me, and I can just drop by the office if I need to.'

'This has made uni so much easier. I’m able to save money, which makes it easier to allow for emergencies in the future, and I can also get new certifications and know I can spend the time doing that.'

Tyler was also recently diagnosed with autism.

'Having autism, I thrive in routine, and routine wasn’t something I could get before. When I was couch surfing, I had to juggle everything.  Now I know exactly what I’m going to be doing each day of the week.

'I have so much brain space now instead of worrying about money and where I’m going to stay and what life’s going to look like in a week.'

Now Tyler is making plans for a future they’re finally excited about.

'I think I was lucky to survive 2 years of it, but now I’m the happiest I’ve ever been.'

Brand new Youth Foyers

Youth Foyers help vulnerable young people develop the skills they need to lead productive lives and build their futures.

As part of our Homes for Queenslanders plan, we’re planning to build 8 new Youth Foyers across the state to continue helping young people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.