Meet Rachel, a single mother who faced numerous challenges while seeking employment due to her parental responsibilities. Thanks to Youth Projects' tailored support through our Transition to Work (TTW) program, Rachel not only overcame these hurdles but also discovered a rewarding career that perfectly suited her needs. 

Over two-thirds (72%) of TTW participants are aged 16 – 21 years old, making Rachel one of the many young people benefiting from the program's support. 

Finding suitable employment that accommodated Rachel's unique circumstances became the team's main challenge. With limited availability between 9 am and 3 pm, most employers were, sadly, hesitant to hire her.   

After thorough research, the team discovered an ideal opportunity— a traineeship position as a teacher's aide at a school just minutes away from her child's school. This traineeship perfectly aligned with her child’s schedule, granting her the needed flexibility and paving the way for a fulfilling career in education. 

With the traineeship secured, Rachel began her journey toward becoming a certified teacher's aide. Gaining hands-on experience in an educational environment, she enhanced her skills with the guidance and support of school staff and Youth Projects coaches.  

Her hard work and dedication paid off, and Rachel is set to complete her training and receive her official certification in October 2023. 

Equipped with this qualification, Rachel is ready to continue her teacher's aide journey at a school close to home. Her challenging journey has transformed into a remarkable success story, symbolizing the power of determination, support, and innovative solutions. A bright future awaits Rachel as she embarks on her exciting career while fulfilling her parental responsibilities. 

Throughout its impactful work, Youth Projects has played a pivotal role in helping individuals like Rachel transition into meaningful careers and educational pathways, with 63% of our young people already pursuing jobs and training opportunities this year alone.

To help us to continue helping people like Rachel, please consider making a donation.

*We've used a pseudo-image out of respect for keeping this person's identity private