In a season when many of us choose to give something up, at the age of 16, Pip has been forced to give up everything.

Pip started living in unstable accommodation two years ago when she escaped family violence. In that time she’s moved between 12 different houses – never knowing how long she’d be able to stay safely in one place. All she wants to do is feel safe and complete her high school education. Pip is one of hundreds of young people struggling to survive in the hardest-hit areas of Western Sydney right now. Faced with domestic and family violence, mental health issues, financial problems or lack of family support, vulnerable young people like Pip have no choice but to leave home.

These young people need support to turn their lives around and you can help

As one of Sydney’s largest service providers for youth at risk, we’ve been working with economically and socially excluded young people in Western Sydney for over 110 years. We see potential where others see a problem and we believe it’s possible to turn lives around for good. In 2015, with our partners Mackillop Family Services, we worked with around 300 homeless young people – helping them transform their worlds – giving them a safe place to sleep, clean clothes and an opportunity to live a different kind of life. This year, we’re expecting this number to be well over 750. And 60% of them are young women. Which is why we’re writing to you today. We need help.

It doesn’t take much to turn a life around and every little bit counts

A fresh start in life begins with the basics. You can help create positive change for young people like Pip. Real change needs practical support but it also means arming them with the skills, knowledge and encouragement they need to turn their lives around.

You can help create positive change for people like Pip right now

Donate

A small sacrifice from you, could make an enormous difference to someone like Pip, for example:

Help us create more ‘good news’ stories

When Kelly came to Marist180, she was also fleeing a violent home. She found the safe haven she was searching for. We helped Kelly get her education back on track and supported her through her HSC. Her youth worker would sit with her and quiz her at exam time and provide the moral support she needed. When Kelly graduated from high school, she knew she wanted to work with youth in need. We helped her start her Certificate III in Community Services. This year, she is hoping to continue studying for her Diploma and start working with homeless young people or youth offenders. “Life is very busy now,” Kelly says. “I have a full-time job, and I am looking forward to continuing my study. I am proud of the person I am now. I am proud of the fact I have my HSC. I am the only person in my family to achieve that. Before I came to Marist, I was let down a lot. But they really helped me restore my trust in people again. I had genuine, caring relationships with so many people there.” There are hundreds of young people like Kelly in Western Sydney who are in need. Please click below to donate and help turn her life around.