When Steff fell pregnant with her daughter at the age of 19 she found herself in crisis and was referred to Micah Projects.
Here she found “support without judgement”, as she describes it.
“None of the other young mums I knew from outside the program were getting anything like this kind of support from their antenatal care,” Steff says.
Being able to have all her check-ups through Micah Project’s Wellspring Hub in Hawthorne, as well as the supportive playgroup with other young mums in crisis and their babies, made things more manageable.
A few years later, a marriage breakdown, no income, an expiring lease, pregnancy complications, and post-natal depression made Steff’s second pregnancy more challenging. But Micah Projects was there to help, finding Steff community housing and helping her apply for permanent government housing. Work was another dilemma. Even though she was a qualified childcare worker, work was irregular.
“The Micah Projects team helped us write our resumes, learn interview skills and even do a barista course to help us find work. Micah Projects then actually offered me a part-time job.”
Steph now works at the Wellspring Hub in Hawthorne three days a week as part of the early childhood program, providing care for families in need.
“It’s the most satisfying and rewarding job I’ve ever had. And if families are struggling in circumstances like I was, it’s great to be able to tell them that I’ve been there, and it does get better. I’m the proof,” Steff says.
“Being able to work for the organisation that helped me when I needed it is pretty awesome.”
Hand Heart Pocket provided a $400,000 grant and a $400,000 interest free loan to Micah Projects to support the purchase of the Wellspring Hub property.