family & community stories
We listen closely to the lived experiences of all family members.
Often we see that families who have found (or developed) successful strategies that improved safety and stability have created a broader circle of support for their child, where the parents/caregivers are experts and full partners alongside other individuals who share a connection to the young person.
These stories demonstrate that families are unique, their needs vary, and that what works for some families won’t necessarily work for others. Needs commonly change over time, and successful strategies or approaches must be flexible and able to adapt.
-
Shay & Ric's Story
“Ric is funny, and athletic, and incredibly caring around animals – it’s people who are just hard for Ric.”
-
Jamie's Story
“Sometimes when we see that violence, it’s a communications breakdown”.
-
Jordan & Lisa's Story
“Really the solution is not difficult when we all just sort of flip our thinking to keeping that child in focus…”
-
River's Story
“There’s always hope…you can always learn new positive coping strategies.”
-
Sam & Michelle's Story
‘‘It took a lot of advocacy, a lot of me yelling when my voice wasn’t heard”.
-
Luka & Lewis' Story
“Lewis’ needs just proved to be too extraordinary for us to manage even with two households”
-
Mia & Nikki's Story
“The more we tried to bond with her, the more she tried to push away”.
-
Safiya & Abdi's Story
“If I don't talk to someone right now I don't have a family anymore, because the kids might be taken from us”.
-
Paula & Kylie's Story
“I admire her because I'm not sure how she keeps going.” Kylie and her family needed support, not exclusion.