A hero at 19
Keelan (left, pictured with Michael) at his YOS graduation
To see the changes Keelan has made in the last couple of years with us – it really is a miracle. He has come from a background that many wouldn’t believe and he’s decided to step out of that life. He’s finished year 12, done a pile of courses, and secured a cabinetmaking apprenticeship. He's about to get his licence, he’s into boxing and fitness – even though there are so many factors trying to drag him back down!
– Michael Carroll
Some people may see a young man who has seen the error of his ways after choosing the wrong crowd and becoming addicted to drugs. But Salvos' Youth Outreach Service (YOS) Youth Worker Michael Carroll sees a hero.
Aged only 19, Keelan – a proud and engaging young man – has graduated Year 12 from YOS. He’s also completed a Certificate II in furniture making, a Certificate I in Business and a Certificate II in Workplace Practices in just two years.
He has also struggled and triumphed over his addiction to ecstasy and ice.
According to Michael, young people like Keelan, who have grown up around drug use, show remarkable strength in battling the odds to turn their lives around.
“Many of the young people we see here may have experienced abandonment, exposure to violence, and/or exposure to drugs. Some have exposure to things so bad you wouldn’t even believe unless you heard the stories,” says Michael.
According to Keelan, YOS is “where my life all changed”.
“Growing up I was brought up with (drugs). When I hit high school I started hanging out with the wrong crowd of people and getting into drugs,” explains Keelan.
Keelan moved in and out of the workforce and employment training for a number of years, but life was often coloured with drug use and its consequences.
“On 5 May 2012 I lost a close mate to me. He was hit by a cab the night before and dead on my birthday. I remember sitting there at the end of the bed looking at him as they pulled the sheet up over his head,” he says.
“I decided it was time to try and change myself and I contacted YOS.
“At the time I started, I was living with dad and had to travel three hours every morning and afternoon just to get there, but I stuck with it. I had a 100 per cent attendance at TAFE which gave me the courage to keep on going with school.”
However, he also takes ownership for his decisions. “I did it to myself and now I’ve learned to ask for help,” he says.
“I want to say thank you (to all the YOS workers) for giving me the second chance I needed to get me to where I am today. This place is so important! It means people like myself don’t feel alone and feel like they have someone to talk to and trust.”
Michael Carroll says community support to run services like YOS is essential.
“It helps provide a family for people who don’t have family. It provides support and guidance for the young people who should have the support and guidance that most of us have; but through no fault of their own – they haven’t had," Michael says.
“It is up to us in society, those of us who have the means to, to fill those gaps.”
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