Jane's* story

For many of us, home is a place of safety, comfort, and belonging – especially at Christmas. 

But for Jane, home was the place she needed to escape. 

While finishing Year 12, Jane appeared to be living a typical teenage life. She was studying, spending time in libraries and coffee shops, and thinking about university.

But behind the scenes, she was living in constant fear of the violence she faced at home.

"Physical violence was a very common and accepted form of punishment in my household."

After leaving home, Jane spent her final year of school couch surfing between friends’ homes. 

When she first connected with Brisbane Youth Service, she was sleeping on a mattress on a friend’s kitchen floor.

"Leaving meant walking away from everything familiar without knowing where I’d sleep the next week, whose couch I’d be on, or how long I’d be welcome."

Jane's story is a reminder that no young person should have to choose between staying somewhere unsafe and facing homelessness.

Your gift this Christmas can help young people like Jane find a safe place to stay, access the support they need, and begin building a brighter future.

Help young people like Jane find safety this Christmas

From surviving to building a future

When Jane came to Brisbane Youth Service, she thought she just needed somewhere to live.

Instead, she found a team that listened without judgement and helped her navigate health care, therapy, and other supports she didn't know she needed.

"I thought I just needed housing. Instead, I found people who helped me rebuild my life, one step at a time."

With a safe place to stay and a trusted youth worker by her side, Jane began to regain stability and imagine a future beyond day-to-day survival. 

"Once I knew I had somewhere safe to sleep, I finally had the mental space to think beyond tomorrow."

Today, Jane is living independently, working as a support worker, completing her Certificate III in Individual Support, and beginning a Diploma of Nursing.

Safety

When home becomes a place of fear, many young people have nowhere else to turn.

Your gift can help provide emergency accommodation, meals, transport, and essential items, giving young people the urgent support they need while they plan their next step.

Someone in their corner

Leaving an unsafe home can be overwhelming and isolating.

Your gift can help connect young people with a trusted youth worker who listens without judgement, helps them navigate services, and advocates for them when they need support most.

A pathway forward

When you're worried about where you'll sleep tonight, it's hard to think about tomorrow, let alone the future.

Your gift can help young people access health care, counselling, education and employment support, creating the stability they need to rebuild their confidence and work towards their goals.