Father’s Day is a time to celebrate the unconditional love and sacrifice that fathers show in their pursuit to provide for their families. This day honours the resilience shown through challenging times and celebrates the important role that fathers can play in supporting the growth of their children. Coming into Father’s Day for 2023, we want to recognise the inspirational journey of Scott, a single father who turned his life around for his two-year-old daughter.
Before being referred to Asuria, Scott worked as a security guard. However, he could not continue working in this field due to charges laid against him. Battling an ongoing court case, Scott began to experience mental health struggles such as depression. Feeling immense pressure to support his family, Scott began to lose hope in his ability to care for his daughter. But everything changed when he found Asuria.
Connecting with Asuria’s ParentsNext services in Warilla in May 2022, Scott was greeted by Support Mentor Lauren, who was ready to offer any assistance needed to help Scott reach his goals. After hearing his story, Lauren saw a need to address Scott’s mental health struggles first and referred him to Asuria’s Allied Health Services. After just four sessions, Scott felt a huge improvement in his mental health, seeing a big increase in motivation and optimism. This gave him the direction and support he needed to begin looking for work.
To get Scott ready for re-enter the workforce, Lauren and the Asuria ParentsNext team updated his resume and helped him practice for interviews. With a young daughter, Scott needed a role that would fit in with his parental responsibilities. Lauren sent his information to Tailored Workforce, a network that matches job seekers with employees in their fields.
Scott was soon contacted about an opportunity at a local hardware store, where an interview was arranged. Winning over the employer, Scott secured the role and began his new life as a part-time retail assistant and labourer at The Hardware Man in Unanderra.
To prepare for his new employment, Asuria supplied work clothes and safety boots to help him start his new role. With his new employer needing Scott to have a Forklift Licence, Asuria arranged for Scott to undergo a Forklift Training Course, broadening his skillset and enabling him to work towards a full-time role.
Speaking warmly about Scott, Lauren shared, “Scott has always been a pleasure to work with. His motivation to overcome barriers to provide for his daughter was always a top priority.”
Scott had the goals and experience, but he needed someone to look beyond his past and see him for where he is today. Being given the opportunity to work gives him the stability to care for his daughter and plan for their future together.
Reflecting on his journey through the ParentsNext program, Scott expressed immense gratitude, sharing, “The program has been incredibly helpful, and my daughter and I will always be thankful for the services.”
Scott’s story is a testament to how far a parent will go to support their family. Having overcome his challenges, Scott is working hard to provide for his daughter and looks forward to a brighter future for his family.
If you’re a parent looking for support to help you reach your career-driven or family-focused goals, click here to learn more about Asuria's ParentsNext Services.