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Despite looking and applying for different jobs, Dannielle, 27, felt like she was getting nowhere. She was dealing with financial difficulty and even though her main goal was to find work, she admits she wasn’t confident enough to get it.

 

Dannielle is a single mother. She had to stop working after having her two children. Last year, Centrelink referred her to YFS’ ParentsNext program where she was mentored by Rachel.

Rachel says Dannielle wanted to look at career options but she was lacking the confidence and knowledge of where to start.

“ParentsNext mentored her on employment and study options, resume techniques, and building confidence in her to apply for jobs or consider studying.” YFS also addressed her financial hardship by working on a payment plan for her rent arrears and providing advocacy to the real estate.

 

In March this year, Dannielle was offered a casual position at SnapFresh, Qantas’ frozen meal manufacturing facility in Crestmead. “My ParentsNext worker was great. She sat down with me and helped me decide what I wanted to do to gain employment. She helped me with my resume, making it look better. She had many things in mind, but in the meantime I got a job. It was pretty quick.”

 

“At work, we pack all the meals. I love it. Just being back at work makes me feel better. I had been unemployed for two years.” Since she started, Dannielle has been working three to four days a week on average. “I do night shifts. I start at 4pm and finish at 11:30 pm. I take the kids to my mum’s and pick them up on my way home. It works out good that it’s at night. I could still do everything else I need to do. My mum works during the days so we just swap. I don’t have to pay day care.”

Dannielle’s life is coming together now and she says she feels calmed.

 

“When you’re struggling you just don’t know where to get money; you keep thinking: what else can I do? I feel happy now that I can provide for my kids. There’s a way to do it now. Before, I was just stuck.” She’s very grateful to have a job and just wants to keep working hard and stay there for as long as she can.

 

“I’d like to have a holiday. Travel overseas. I’m feeling more confident now. I know that I can do things and achieve what I want.”