OLIVIA’S STORY – OVERCOMING TRAUMA
This year Olivia will spend Christmas with her family for the first time in three years, thanks to Triple Care Farm.
Every parent wants a safe loving environment for their child, however, no matter how committed the parent, sometimes young people are faced with troubling events that can have a long term impact on their lives.
For Olivia, experiencing a serious trauma at the age of 16 threw her world into turmoil. She lost the ability to cope with her everyday life and started drinking and taking marijuana to numb her pain.
As a result of Olivia’s drug taking and alcohol abuse, her problems became even worse, until in 2008, her behaviour finally crossed the line. She was arrested and ended up in jail having exhausted the support of her family and friends. Despite the sentencing, Olivia’s trauma remained untreated and she didn’t have the support she needed to change her life. Unsurprisingly she was back in jail within months, and had truly reached rock bottom.
After her second conviction, Olivia’s case worker told her about Triple Care Farm. She made the brave decision to change her life and applied to attend the 12 week residential program.
Olivia’s healing begun when she entered the Farm. Located in the Southern Highlands this multi award winning facility uses a fully integrated and holistic approach to turn young lives around.
Through counselling, Olivia was able to look at the reasons underlying her drug and alcohol abuse and find more appropriate ways to deal with stress and overcome her trauma.
Since then, Olivia’s life has become full of hope and opportunity. She is currently working 2 part-time jobs, is completing year 12 this year and has just obtained her driving learners permit. She is aiming to enrol in university next year so she can study nursing.
“None of this would have been possible without the help of everyone at Triple Care Farm. They all believed in me when I had lost hope. But more than this, my time at the Farm gave me the practical skills I needed to change the way I was living and what I want for my future.”
Triple Care Farm has an astonishing 80% success rate, winning many awards in recognition of its excellent work. It receives very little government funding but saves the lives of hundreds of young people, as well as reducing the burden on our Juvenile Justice System
Through the generosity of our friends and supporters, Sir David Martin Foundation is able to provide these very troubled but deserving young people with a second chance at life. But we need more help.
This Christmas we are hoping to raise a much needed $250,000 so that we can help more young people like Olivia.
Please make a donation today and help save a young life.
More information on Trauma
The Australian National University has founded the Australian Child & Adolescent Trauma, Loss & Grief Network. This provides resources for parents, families and other carers about trauma, loss and grief.
If you are concerned about a loved one, please contact your GP for further advice.
