On International Day of Education, we recognised the importance of education as a fundamental human right and acknowledge the challenges that many young people who are facing homelessness have in accessing education.
Tahlia is one of the residents of the Youth2Independence (Y2I) cluster home facility in Clarence. She moved in three months ago, after experiencing some significant challenges in life that resulted in her living in a youth homelessness shelter.
“Education and working were the furthest thing from my mind while I was in the shelter. It was more where will I be living and thinking about the next day. So, when I heard about this place and was accepted, everything started to fall into place,” she said.
“Life has been completely different to what it was before moving here. I experienced a period in my life where I thought studying and going back to school wasn’t something I would be able to do.”
Tahlia is working part-time and about to start a course at TasTAFE in disability services. The course finishes in October and will lead straight into work placement, something she is really excited for.
“When I was staying at the homelessness shelter, they helped me connect with employment services, and when I moved to into Y2I, I had support here to write my resume and send it out. This time next year I’ll be working as a disability support worker. I’m really excited,” she said.
Y2I cluster homes provide small, home-like environments for young people aged 16-24 who are facing homelessness. Each site has five studio units, with a sixth unit to house onsite support staff, and shared access to amenities.
The program aims to provide young people with pod housing for up to two years before they progress on to greater independence. In their second year of their stay, the emphasis is on sourcing further education, employment, and housing.
Having access to stable, supported and affordable housing is a critical foundation for young people to engage in education and employment and transition to become independent young adults.
“I wish there were more of these places around. When I was in the shelter, I had friends who just went to another shelter, and it stopped them accessing education and things like that. Coming here has been life changing for me,” Tahlia said.
“One of the best things about living here is that you are able to live completely independently but at the same time have someone here to support and guide you if you want it. You make decisions for yourself and aren’t pressured into doing anything you don’t want to. “
“I feel safe here. I’ll be sad to leave, I love it here”.
There are four Y2I cluster home sites across the state in Devonport, Launceston, Clarence and Burnie.
CatholicCare Tasmania manages the Y2I cluster sites as well as the Y2I share homes which are designed to support young people who have low support needs to live in a shared-home environment while they develop skills for independence. Residents of the share homes have access to the support provided at the cluster homes.
Story courtesy of Homes Tasmania.
Other news you may be interested in
On International Day of Education, we recognised the importance of education as a fundamental human right and acknowledge the challenges that many young people who are facing homelessness have in accessing education.
Tahlia is one of the residents of the Youth2Independence (Y2I) cluster home facility in Clarence. She moved in three months ago, after experiencing some significant challenges in life that resulted in her living in a youth homelessness shelter.
“Education and working were the furthest thing from my mind while I was in the shelter. It was more where will I be living and thinking about the next day. So, when I heard about this place and was accepted, everything started to fall into place,” she said.
“Life has been completely different to what it was before moving here. I experienced a period in my life where I thought studying and going back to school wasn’t something I would be able to do.”
Tahlia is working part-time and about to start a course at TasTAFE in disability services. The course finishes in October and will lead straight into work placement, something she is really excited for.
“When I was staying at the homelessness shelter, they helped me connect with employment services, and when I moved to into Y2I, I had support here to write my resume and send it out. This time next year I’ll be working as a disability support worker. I’m really excited,” she said.
Y2I cluster homes provide small, home-like environments for young people aged 16-24 who are facing homelessness. Each site has five studio units, with a sixth unit to house onsite support staff, and shared access to amenities.
The program aims to provide young people with pod housing for up to two years before they progress on to greater independence. In their second year of their stay, the emphasis is on sourcing further education, employment, and housing.
Having access to stable, supported and affordable housing is a critical foundation for young people to engage in education and employment and transition to become independent young adults.
“I wish there were more of these places around. When I was in the shelter, I had friends who just went to another shelter, and it stopped them accessing education and things like that. Coming here has been life changing for me,” Tahlia said.
“One of the best things about living here is that you are able to live completely independently but at the same time have someone here to support and guide you if you want it. You make decisions for yourself and aren’t pressured into doing anything you don’t want to. “
“I feel safe here. I’ll be sad to leave, I love it here”.
There are four Y2I cluster home sites across the state in Devonport, Launceston, Clarence and Burnie.
CatholicCare Tasmania manages the Y2I cluster sites as well as the Y2I share homes which are designed to support young people who have low support needs to live in a shared-home environment while they develop skills for independence. Residents of the share homes have access to the support provided at the cluster homes.
Story courtesy of Homes Tasmania.
Other news you may be interested in
Other news