Youth Futures Clarkson Campus: Alternative Education Success
When Emily spoke at the 2025 AISWA CaRE Conference “Empowering Every Educator. Supporting Every Learner” the audience was deeply moved. A former Youth Futures student, she shared her journey with honesty and strength, showing what can be achieved when young people are given trauma-informed education support and a safe learning environment.
Overcoming Challenges in Mainstream Schooling
Emily’s education journey was far from easy. Moving from a small school into a large mainstream environment, she felt lost and overwhelmed.
“It was massive and too much,” she recalls. “I couldn’t even find my classes, so I was always late. The teachers didn’t seem to care, and I felt like I didn’t belong.”
Her mum didn’t know where to turn until CAMHS referred her to Youth Futures alternative education programs.
Finding a Supportive Learning Environment
Walking through the doors of our Clarkson campus was a turning point.
“The environment was happy, friendly, and exciting,” Emily says. “I thought, this could work for me. The staff were super enthusiastic, the other students looked happy. I signed up on the spot and my mum was so relieved.”
Building Confidence and Skills Through Youth Education Support
From there, Emily began to thrive. She started a Certificate I, got help with her résumé, and soon landed a part-time job. Staff adapted her timetable so she could balance study and work.
“They made me believe in myself, no doubt,” she says. “It was empowering.”
Youth Futures Traineeships: Opening Doors to Careers
At 16, Emily applied for a Youth Futures Traineeship in Business Administration. With guidance and encouragement, including mock interviews and clothes shopping with her youth worker, she gave it her all. The next day she got the call to say she’d been successful.
That traineeship opened the door to a career. Today, Emily works in Youth Futures’ Intake Team, supporting young people and families facing homelessness or struggling in school.
“We respond quickly because we know how important it is for at-risk youth and their families to get help fast,” she explains.
Rebuilding Confidence and Creating Brighter Futures
Reflecting on her journey, Emily is clear:
“When there’s nowhere else to go, that’s when young people need it most. I don’t know what I would’ve done without the support.”
Emily’s story shows how, with youth education support, alternative education programs, and a trauma-informed approach, young people can rebuild confidence, find their voice, and create brighter futures.