I have been with ACSO Community Re-Entry Services Team (CREST) since April 2023 as a Forensic Case Worker for the in-prison team.
After working in homelessness sector for a community organisation that co-located in a Housing Service Centre, I saw the need for men who had exited the prison system into homelessness. This had inspired me to move over to CREST to see how I could help support men to reintegrate back into community.
I would like to see housing options improve for men who have been incarcerated and will endeavour to support where I can, with the experience I have gained whilst working in homelessness sector. There is a huge gap and need and with the stigmatisation that men with a correctional history face. I am up for the challenge to advocate where I can, to encourage change and to support our clients to be given a second chance, to instil hope and empower change.
I have worked in Community Services and Mental Health for over 14 years and have meet and supported many different people, for most of that time I worked in Adolescent Mental Health and AOD for 12 years. I learnt a lot throughout that time, not only supporting people, but the work I needed to do for myself to be able to best support vulnerable people – to help someone through a challenging and difficult time, to acknowledge them, their struggles and needs and to encourage them to see their worth.
That is why I continue to work in community services, it may sound super cringy, but that’s the stuff that gives me purpose.
This is why I am all about self-care, especially when you are supporting people, so when I am not training in kick boxing I am out and about enjoying mother nature, and most importantly spending time with my family and mates.
In the short time I have been with ACSO CREST, I have never felt more valued as an employee and a person. The support from the CREST Leadership Team and my colleagues have been incredible!
I can truly say that I am happy with my decision to join the CREST team. I am super grateful for the opportunities I have already been given whilst being with CREST and I am super excited for what’s to come.