John
My name is John and I live in one of the apartments here at the Brotherhood of St. Laurence. I slept on the streets for about four months, worst time of my life, you know. I felt vulnerable. I was scared. But since being here, I've worked on those insecurities, those issues, and it's gave me the confidence to pick myself up and and run with the ball again. Being in an environment where it's conducive to your mental wellbeing, it changes you as a person, right? It changes your way of thinking. I can't thank them enough for allowing me to be here and to participate, you know?

I think the difference that the Brotherhood of St. Laurence makes working with Aboriginal participants and having better understanding of Aboriginal culture is immeasurable. We've got a reconciliation action plan and we endeavour to inform and support and provide opportunity for all our employees to be able to engage at a far deeper level. And if they are not sure about any aspect of Aboriginal culture, we are there to help support and mentor through those processes.

David
A few years ago, I was pretty scared. I felt pretty small. Yeah, I had three support workers in the past, and they used to come out once a week to give me a hand to do things like cooking and basically how to learn how to look after yourself. It's got a lot better. Yeah. It's given me a lot of purpose in my life. My father passed away recently and he's up there looking at me, thinking how wonderful it is that I can survive on my own. And that's a good thing.

Tharaa
I lived in Lebanon for five years. We suffered a lot, I tried applying to migrate to several countries. Since I came to Australia, I didn't know how to do any of these things. I used to cry not knowing what to do or how to get by. So, for me, knowing this organisation helped me a lot. I felt stability and comfort, I had no fear of anything or fear of tomorrow. When I didn't know something, I'd resort to the organisation and ask them and they'd guide me. I felt psychologically stable. I was no longer afraid, no longer confused by anything and thanks to them, my situation improved.

Will
When I got out of high school, I didn't really have much planned, to be honest. I found it kind of hard to speak to people and I knew that wasn't going to get me anywhere. I need that support to kind of get out there and put myself into a working position. Well, everyone was really kind at the Brotherhood of St. Laurence. Everyone's really understanding and they’ll help you the best they can. And yeah, they'll help you get those courses, make sure you get that upskill you need and yeah. They're great. I'm a totally different person. I'm working, I'm confident in myself and putting myself out there, giving everything a go.

Israa
We came here as refugee. Originally, I'm from Iraq. I graduated from medical college in Baghdad University in 1992 and I was working as a doctor in October 2013. Then I escaped from Iraq because of the violence. When you try to join any job, they ask you about Australian experience and how we can find this Australian experience and we don't have a job. Yes, so make a very big difference for my life because I was lost. I don't know what to do. I don't know how to put my first step, you know, as a doctor in Australia. So when they give me this opportunity to work with the same field, it's like, it's like a gift.

Travers McLeod, Executive Director of the Brotherhood of St. Laurence
I think BSL is the centre of gravity for change for the people in this country that are the most vulnerable. And in the wake of a pandemic that has disrupted lives across the country, but especially in Victoria, I couldn't imagine a better place to be to drive lasting change for the country that we love. We combine a broad and deep service footprint, not just in Victoria but across Australia and across the life course. And we connect what we know works in delivering those services and building confidence and capability with first class research on how that can be replicated, adapted and scaled to create an even bigger difference across the nation and secure lasting change for those experiencing poverty and disadvantage. BSL has always been about a bigger vision and a bigger future, and there is an opportunity to reimagine what that looks like after a pandemic that has disrupted lives for every Australian.

Thank you.