The Mission turned my life around

Wednesday 4 March 2020

“My childhood was extremely hard. My parents left me when I was three, so I lived with my aunty and uncle. I was treated differently from their kids, and it was an abusive situation. I felt bad about myself every day. My behaviour got worse and worse, I was getting into fights and wagging school. At 14 I ran away, staying on friends’ floors and couches. I was desperate, so I started stealing to survive. I soon got expelled, and no one else would accept me. I thought I was a goner, like I had completely stuffed my life up.

Then Mission for Youth (MFY)
offered me a place. Honestly, my whole attitude was pretty bad at first but I
kept going in for the free meals. I started hanging out there more, doing group
activities and playing sports. I was having fun, and I felt motivated to be in
a positive environment. It was a relaxing space where we could be open and
honest, and I appreciated being treated like an adult. The staff spent time
with us one-on-one. I could tell that they cared about me, and I began to seriously
focus on where I was heading. I walked away from negative influences and
mischief – it wasn’t in my mindset anymore. I owned up to the police about my
past as well.

I put my head down in class, and
worked towards getting my first NCEA credits. I left MFY with NCEA Level 2.
They helped me land my first job at McDonald’s, and enrol in a panel beating
course at WelTec. After becoming qualified, I ended up getting work with a
flooring company. I’ve been in the industry for nine years since then.

Now I live with my partner and two
sons. We just want to get ahead, so this year we are focussing hard on saving
to buy a house. I want to set a positive example for my kids, and give them the
best start in life because I came from the absolute bottom. Being a good father
is most important to me – especially seeing as my oldest son is not my
biological son. He calls me Dad, and that’s how I treat him. I make sure that
he doesn’t feel like he’s any different.

Who knows where I would be if The Mission hadn’t been there at one of the worst stages of my life. I can’t really say any more than thank you. Those two years turned my entire life around.”

MEDIA CONTACT:

Kieran Meredith, Media & Communications Manager, kieran@wgtncitymission.org.nz