A Story of Trust, Connection and Change

When we first met this young person within the justice system, he was carrying the weight of experiences that had taught him to protect himself from the world around him. Trust did not come easily, and meaningful engagement with services was limited. Many people only saw the challenges he presented, rather than the young person behind them. Through the Deadly Minds program, we began by simply showing up, consistently and without judgement. Art became the bridge. What started as creative expression gradually opened the door to conversation, connection, and trust.

Over time, he began sharing his story, his aspirations, and the person he wanted to become. As our relationship strengthened, we were able to work with him one-on-one, creating a space where he felt safe, heard, and valued. Together, we developed daily affirmations that reinforced his strengths, encouraged self-belief, and reminded him of his potential. The transformation was not immediate, but it was powerful. Day by day, he began making different choices. He demonstrated resilience, self-control, and a growing belief in himself. Over an 80-day period, he remained incident-free, a milestone that many thought was impossible. More importantly, the people around him began to see him differently. Staff who had previously only known his reputation had the opportunity to get to know the young man behind the label. They saw his creativity, his humour, his intelligence, and his capacity for growth.

This story is a reminder that when young people are met with patience, trust, and genuine connection, remarkable change can occur. Sometimes all it takes is one person believing in them long enough for them to begin believing in themselves.​

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Finding His Voice

When we first met this justice impacted young person, he preferred to stay in the background. Quiet and reserved, he rarely engaged with staff or support services and found it difficult to trust the people around him. Often, he would keep his fringe covering his face, creating a barrier between himself and the world. Like many young people who have experienced adversity, he had learned to protect himself by keeping others at a distance.

Through the Deadly Minds program, we met him where he was, without expectations or pressure. We invited him into a creative space where participation did not require words, only a willingness to pick up a paint pen and create. Initially, he sat quietly, focused on his artwork and saying very little. But through consistent engagement, genuine care, and the safety of a non-judgemental environment, a connection began to form. Over time, brief interactions became conversations. Conversations became laughter. Laughter became trust. As trust grew, so did his confidence.

The young person who once avoided attention gradually began lifting his head, joining conversations, sharing his thoughts, and allowing others to see the person behind the silence. He started engaging more positively with custodial staff and became increasingly open to speaking with support services that had previously struggled to connect with him. We worked alongside him as mentors, helping him develop the confidence to communicate how he was feeling and advocate for what he needed. We also helped him better understand the role of the different services available to support him, breaking down barriers and building trust in a way that was meaningful and accessible. The impact extended beyond our sessions. Staff and service providers began noticing a significant shift in his engagement, communication, and willingness to participate. Relationships that once seemed difficult to establish became stronger, creating greater opportunities for support, growth, and positive outcomes. As his relationship with Quin and Aaron developed, he was also exposed to positive examples of respect, healthy communication, and supportive relationships. Through everyday conversations and observations, he gained a different perspective on how people can treat one another with kindness, accountability, and care. These experiences encouraged him to reflect on the type of person he wanted to become and the relationships he wanted to build in his own life. He began recognising that healthy relationships are grounded in respect, trust, and mutual support, values that align strongly with culture, community, and personal responsibility. By the time he left the program, the change was evident. He had found the confidence to use his voice, engage with those around him, and seek support when he needed it. More importantly, he had begun to see himself differently. His story is a powerful reminder that transformation does not always begin with big moments. Sometimes it begins with a conversation, a paint pen, a safe space, and someone willing to listen.

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A Story of Trust, Aspiration and Family Support

We had been working with this young person for some time, building trust slowly and consistently through the Deadly Minds program. At first, connection came through the simple things: cooking together, playing cards, creating art, sharing conversations, and spending time in a space where he felt safe, respected, and understood. Over time, he began to look forward to our visits. What started as program engagement became a genuine relationship built on trust, consistency, and care. One day, he opened up about wanting more for his future. He spoke about wanting to find a job, travel, and experience life beyond the circumstances he was currently facing. This was a powerful moment. It showed that he was beginning to imagine new possibilities for himself. To support this, we brought in brochures and spoke with him about different employment and training pathways. We talked about how an apprenticeship could help him build practical skills, earn an income, and create a stronger future. We also had honest conversations about the importance of improving his reading and spelling so he could take full advantage of those opportunities. For many justice-impacted young people, education has been a place of shame, frustration, or disconnection. Many are behind in reading and writing, but often hide it because they do not want to feel embarrassed or judged. What made this young person’s story so powerful was that the next step came from him. Without being pushed, he began turning subtitles on while watching television so he could practise his reading. His teacher later shared that he had started reading more and was showing greater interest in learning. This small act showed initiative, self-awareness, and a growing belief that he could shape his own future. As trust continued to grow, he also spoke to us about his family. He shared that his mother was caring for seven children and needed support. Because our work does not stop with the young person, we reached out to his family and provided practical help, including essential items and school snacks for the younger children. This support reminded him that he was not alone, and that his family mattered too. His journey reflects the heart of Self Made Indigenous Corporation’s work. Through consistent relationships, creative engagement, mentoring, and practical support, young people begin to trust, dream, and take steps toward a different future. Sometimes change begins with art, a meal, a game of cards, or a simple conversation. And sometimes, that conversation becomes the moment a young person starts to believe that employment, travel, learning, and a better future are possible.

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Beyond the Program: Being the Call They Make

One of the strongest indicators of impact is not what happens during a program, but what happens after it ends. Over the years, many of the young people we have worked with have continued to stay connected with Self Made Indigenous Corporation through social media, phone calls, and messages. These connections are not formal appointments or referrals. They are built on trust. Young people reach out for many reasons. Sometimes they want to share good news. They tell us they have started thinking about getting a job, reconnecting with family, returning to education, or staying away from the people and behaviours that once led them into trouble. Sometimes they simply want to tell us how they are going, what they have been doing, or hear a familiar voice that reminds them someone cares. Other times, those conversations happen at critical moments. On several occasions, young people have contacted us believing they had breached a court order or community supervision requirement and were preparing to make decisions that could have placed them at greater risk of returning to the justice system. In those moments, a single conversation made all the difference. Rather than acting impulsively, they reached out. We were able to support them to pause, gather accurate information, and connect with the appropriate support services. In some cases, we helped them confirm whether a breach had actually occurred. In others, we encouraged them to immediately contact their case workers and support providers so that issues could be addressed before they escalated. These moments highlight the importance of relational safety. When young people trust someone enough to make that call before making a life-changing decision, it creates an opportunity for intervention, support, and positive choice-making.

Our relationships also help bridge the gap between young people and the broader service system. On one occasion, support services were struggling to make contact with a young person and were concerned about his wellbeing. We knew he had been in touch with us, so we encouraged him to reconnect with his support team. Through that renewed connection, he was able to access practical assistance, including support to obtain a phone so he could stay engaged with the services designed to help him. While these interactions may seem small, their impact can be significant. A phone call, a message, or a conversation at the right time can prevent a crisis, reconnect a young person with support, strengthen family relationships, and help keep them on track toward their goals. For us, this is what success looks like. Success is not only measured by attendance numbers, face to face hours or program completion. It is measured by the trust young people place in us long after a program ends. It is reflected in the moments when they choose to ask for help, seek advice, celebrate achievements, or make a different decision because they know someone is in their corner.

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Dreaming Bigger Than What Seemed Possible

When we first met this young person through our Dreamers program at school, he had already mapped out what he believed his future would look like. In Year 7, he told us that his plan was to finish Year 10 and then leave school to find a job. For many young people, future aspirations are often shaped by what they have seen around them and what they believe is possible. At that stage, completing Year 12 did not feel like part of his journey.

Through the Dreamers program, we worked alongside him over several years, building a mentoring relationship grounded in trust, encouragement, and belief in his potential. We shared stories of people who had pursued different pathways, whether through university, apprenticeships, training, or employment, helping him see that there was more than one road to success. As his confidence grew, so did his aspirations. He began setting goals for himself and, importantly, started believing that he could achieve them. His attendance improved, his engagement in school increased, and his grades steadily rose. What once seemed out of reach gradually became achievable through consistency, effort, and the support of those around him.

Instead of leaving school after Year 10, he stayed. He continued working towards his goals and ultimately graduated Year 12, an achievement that years earlier he had never imagined for himself. The highlight of his journey came at his graduation ceremony. The Self Made team was honoured to be there to celebrate alongside him, his family, and his school community. To recognise his determination, growth, and leadership, we presented him with a Self Made Leadership Award, along with a signed jersey from his favourite AFL team. It was more than a gift. It was a symbol of how far he had come.

This young person's story demonstrates the power of aspiration, mentoring, and believing in possibilities beyond what young people can initially see for themselves. Through encouragement, positive role models, and consistent support, he transformed a distant goal into a reality.

His journey reminds us that success is not always about changing a destination. Sometimes it is about helping young people realise they are capable of aiming higher than they ever thought possible. Through Dreamers, we help young people turn aspirations into action and goals into achievements.

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Supporting the Next Generation

One of the greatest privileges of our work is seeing young people grow into parents and begin creating the future they want for their children.

Over the years, we have worked alongside a number of justice-impacted young people, both young men and young women, who have gone on to start families of their own. While their journeys have all been different, one thing has remained the same: the importance of knowing they have people in their corner who continue to care about their wellbeing and success.

When we learned that several of these young people were preparing to welcome a new baby into the world, we wanted them to know they were supported. To celebrate this important milestone and help ease some of the pressures that can come with becoming a parent, Self Made provided baby care packages to each family. What happened next reminded us why relationships matter. The young people continued to stay connected with us, sharing updates, photos, and milestones as their children grew. Some of the young mothers regularly send us photos of their babies and proudly share their achievements, from first smiles and first steps to the everyday moments that make parenthood so special. One young father's partner also keeps in touch, sharing updates and milestones as they navigate parenthood together. These messages are more than updates. They are a reflection of trust, connection, and a relationship that has continued long after their involvement with the justice system. What is particularly inspiring is seeing these young people embrace the responsibility of parenthood and make positive choices for their families. Many have spoken about wanting to provide their children with opportunities they may not have had themselves, breaking cycles and creating stronger futures for the next generation. Their stories remind us that young people are more than their past circumstances. With the right support, relationships, and opportunities, they can grow into caring parents, positive role models, and strong contributors to their families and communities. We believe that investing in young people today creates ripple effects that extend far beyond the individual. When a young person thrives, families become stronger, children have greater opportunities, and communities benefit for generations to come. These young parents are not only building brighter futures for themselves. They are helping shape brighter futures for their children as well.

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Every young person deserves the opportunity to thrive, and with your support, we can continue creating pathways to confidence, connection, and self-determination. Get in touch with Self Made Indigenous Corporation today to learn how you can support our work through partnership, sponsorship, donations, volunteering, with us to create lasting change for young people, families, and communities.