Young people tell their stories
Fairbridge has helped so many young people and their families through its dedication to youth programs...
Please read the feedback and stories we have received from some of our participants at Fairbridge. They solidify the enlightenment, achievement and hope our participants take away from their experiences. The following is the only the tip of the iceberg.
Kelvin
“Fairbridge has offered me a chance to get off my backside and work towards something that I can use in my future, for example my certificate and apprenticeship.”
Read Kelvin Prosser's story here
Will
"Fairbridge helped me get off the dole. I would probably still be on it now if it wasn't for Fairbridge."
Kallan
"Before I was here I was hard headed, stubborn and quiet. Now after seven months with Fairbridge I am out going, hard working and willing to learn and listen."
Read Kallan Nannup's story here
Isaac
"I really do not know where I would have ended up without the support. The whole Fairbridge experience has set the strong footings in my life that will never be lost or forgotten."
Charles
"Fairbridge has helped me to feel at home and has supported me through the rough times to enable me to find my passion."
Read Charles Stephens’ story here
Kyla
"Without Fairbridge I would still be a very lost person and wasting my life away."
Leanne
"I absolutely love it at Fairbridge and love coming to work. Fairbridge has helped me in a lot of ways by helping me to find my passion."
Chris
"I think there needs to be someone who is doing something for kids and I do not believe there is enough of it. With what Fairbridge does, going out there and giving them the range of skills they need is really teaching them a better way of looking at the world."
Chase
"The first time I came here I did not know what I wanted. I just wanted some spare cash but I got a lot more than that...what Fairbridge is doing for young people who can't get work anywhere else or who can't help themselves is important and makes heaps of difference to me and others."
Cherro
"I could not get a job with anyone else due to my age, being Indigenous and having my previous apprenticeship suspended which was beyond my control."
Kelsey
“Home was not a safe environment for me and it was really hard having to live my life like that. I had to take my life in my own hands and find my own way. Coming to Fairbridge has given me the opportunity to be treated like an adult in a supportive environment."
Nicholas
“I feel grown up because I am out working like my dad. My dad is very proud of me. I like to get paid and I took my mum out for tea for her birthday and I paid for it myself."
Des
"They have given me a very big chance and I like the way they treat people out here...I feel like my bosses are more like friends and I think I could get other jobs because of what I have learnt."
Jacy
"If it hadn't been for Fairbridge the story would have been totally different and without this opportunity it would have been a very sad story for my son. It is amazing to have something so close right on my doorstep and to have people who could see the challenge I had and be willing to support me and my son."
Glen
"It is really hard when you have kids and a wife to look after and even when you are working hard to get a job you can't always get someone to give you a go."
Darryl
"People told me I can't do this and I can't do that but I say look at me and what I can do. Just because I have a disability does not mean I can't work or do not want to be part of the community. Fairbridge accepted me for who I am and supported me. "
Allyssa
"My new role is to mentor the next group of trainees coming in...like me seven months ago, they come out here lost and they grow and gain a lot more confidence and feel better about themselves. They seem a lot happier knowing that they and this Village are being taken care of."
Peter
"You need to be out at Fairbridge to really understand what it is all about. To see me and the other apprentices and young people at Fairbridge and get a feel for the place, you would then see how much we all like it and you would definitely want to support us in keeping this place going."
Russell
"Before Fairbridge I did not know what I really wanted to do and being given the opportunity to trial different areas before I found what I enjoy doing was important. Most places would just give you one option and if it did not work the only choice you would have is to leave."
Fairbridge celebrates the life of Nathan Toms
Nathan was born with a disability and a chronic illness that eventually got the better of him on the 19th of March 2006.
"Nathan loved Fairbridge and some of his last words were ‘You have to tell them to keep Fairbridge going'. I am so pleased that Fairbridge could give Nathan the opportunity he had." Helen Toms, Nathan's mum.