Adelaide woman’s success leads to new program to help others
AMBER Williams was once too scared to catch the bus on her own from the Adelaide Hills.
AMBER Williams was once too scared to catch the bus on her own from the Adelaide Hills.
She now confidently travels solo to her job as a sales assistant at Foodland, in Frewville.
Ms Williams credits her confidence to having completed a program at Adelaide not-for-profit organisation, Youthinc.
“Youthinc helped me find employment by teaching me the skills I needed and by offering networking opportunities,” she said.
“I met Spero Chapley, who owns Frewville Foodland, at a Youthinc event and he asked me to come in for an interview and, from there, he offered me a job.”
Her positive experiences at Youthinc have led Ms Williams to help others.
Youthinc general manager Richard Miller said the idea for its new project, LEAP, was devised by Ms Williams.
The LEAP program involves a group of Youthinc clients working with business people to raise money and improve their life skills, and will culminate in a trip to India, in November.
“Amber was one of the instigators of the program and the trip to India will be the first time she has left South Australia,” said Mr Miller.
“She wants to take a group of youth to do some social enterprise challenges. It’s amazing given she previously didn’t have the confidence to come to Adelaide on the bus.”
Youthinc was established in 2006 to help disadvantaged youth with employment and life skills.
“Our programs give people who want to change the opportunity to do so,” added Mr Miller.
“We are here to help people change their lives and develop life skills by coaching and mentoring.”
Ms Williams said the support provided by Youthinc helped boost her confidence and she was thrilled with her job at Foodland.
“My favourite part about working at Foodland is the people,” she said.
“My co-workers keep me energised on a long day and the customers are nice. I love smiling and sharing a joke.”
Her advice for other young people who are struggling is: “be positive, be confident, seek help from family, friends and support services to help find something, and never give up”.