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For two young locals, this year’s Youth Week Celebrations are particularly poignant, as they reflect on their incredible 12-month journey into adulthood.
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Mark Potts of Cardiff is now 18 years of age and transitioned from foster care to CatholicCare Social Services Hunter-Manning’s (CatholicCare) Supported Independent Living (SIL) program one year ago. Mr Potts had been in foster care since he was five years old, moving a couple of times before living with one carer for 12 years.
“Since finishing a Certificate II in Automotive Servicing Technology at TAFE, Catholic Care have helped me get some work experience with a motorbike mechanic,” Mr Potts said.
“The SIL team have been supportive, helpful and informative. With their help I have achieved a lot over the past year and am looking forward to what the future holds for me.”
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Katrina Young of North Lambton is also 18 years of age, and has overcome a lot of adversity during her short lifetime to now study a Certificate III in Business Medical at Hunter TAFE with an eye to securing full-time employment.
“From ages three to 16 my great grandmother was my foster carer, until she was diagnosed with dementia in 2014,” Ms Young said. “My older brother then passed away which left me in an unstable living environment and later homeless, whilst still studying at high school.
“I became involved in CatholicCare’s SIL Program in March 2015 and since then I have received support from a caseworker who has helped me with work, study and supported me to understand more about my Indigenous heritage.
“I am proud that despite some setbacks in the past 12 months I have completed my Higher School Certificate and a Certificate II Traineeship with the Aboriginal Employment Strategy. I was also thrilled to be accepted in to the University of Newcastle “Live, Learn, Grow” program.”
CatholicCare is a not-for-profit organisation that exists to provide support for the whole community including families, couples, individuals and children regardless of their age, gender, physical or intellectual capacity, religion or ethnicity. Its services include a range of child and family services, youth services, disability and community services and foster care training and support and cover the areas of Hunter and Manning.
