Matthew has progressed from the Oasis crisis accommodation service to independent supported housing and into employment through the Get Skilled for Work course. Below is a transcript of Matthew’s speech, given at the Get Skilled for Work course graduation event held in May 2009.
"My name is Matthew.
Before I came to this course my life was not going well. I spent a lot of time on the streets homeless and going nowhere. I would not wish homelessness on anyone.
It is a very draining and sad thing to experience. There is a lot of crazy people out there and no one you can trust. It is just so hard to get things together and try to get ahead.
I was fortunate that The Salvos were there to help me. I was able to get connected with Oasis and get the help I needed for my life. I got off the streets and started to meet people who work at Oasis that can help younger people like me get a future. One day at Oasis I heard about the course and I just knew I had to get into it.
The program did not just get me in a position for a job, but got me help in all the right things in my life. I was able to get more stable accommodation, which is great. The people there have really been a great help to me. I feel like I can really have a a go at nailing down this job and have a career.
I got to work at a Woolworths store and that has been awesome. I really like it. I work in the bakery department and the guy I work with has just finished his apprenticeship. I think I can learn a lot from him. I really like baking and I can see myself going for an apprenticeship.
Woolworths have been good for me. When we were going to start our work experience, Oasis told me I was going to be placed in the Town Hall store. I freaked!
You see; that area was where I was homeless and I just did not want to go back to that place. When I was desperate one day I got into trouble at the store. I thought I was cooked, but Oasis rang Woolworths and told them, they just got things organised at another store.
I just felt like a new person when Woolworths did that. It was like they were saying Woolworths want to give me a chance too, and that just made me more determined to make a go of it.
"Everyone that I have met in the course has been really great. The course has been really cool; I even slowed right down on smoking cigarettes.
Getting fit and meeting new friends and having a new focus on life, has been what I really needed, but I just could not get it happening for me.
The course should be everywhere so that young people like me can get a change to get their lives back on track.
I just want to thank Oasis for being there for us and Woolworths for believing in the work that Oasis do.
Thank you."
*Note: All stories are true at time of publishing. Names and locations may be changed to protect the identities of the young people.
