Participant Snapshot
Eliezer is a 31-year-old living in a shared home. He is intelligent, funny, open-minded, and
always up for a chat or trying something new. When we first met in March 2023, it was clear
that despite everything he was navigating, he had a natural curiosity about life and a
genuine desire to connect with others.
The Challenge
Before starting support, Eliezer was experiencing significant anxiety around everyday life,
particularly being around other people and thinking about his future. His days often
consisted of watching Netflix, attending multiple medical and therapy appointments, and
navigating different services and support systems.
He had explored employment pathways but felt underwhelmed by the opportunities
available to him. Over time, this led to a growing sense of feeling stuck — dependent on the
system, unsure of his capabilities, and lacking confidence in his ability to build an
independent life.
Although he remained humorous and open to getting out of the house — enjoying visits to
cafés and exploring new suburbs — there was an underlying fear about what the future
might look like. He had also attempted an IT course but found it overwhelming without the
right support and eventually discontinued it.
The Goal
Eliezer wanted what many young adults want — a life that felt normal and fulfilling.
His goals included:
- Building friendships
- Finding meaningful work
- Creating healthy habits around food and fitness
- Feeling confident in being himself
- Gaining independence from systems he felt stuck in
The Approach
Our focus was to create a space where Eliezer felt heard, understood, and supported
without pressure or judgment.
Building trust took time. Rather than pushing for outcomes, we started by listening —
allowing him to openly talk through his thoughts, ideas, and uncertainties about the future.
Support was highly tailored to how he was feeling on the day. Some days were about taking
small steps forward, while others were simply about creating positive experiences and
reducing stress. A big part of the approach was learning when to gently challenge and when
to step back.
We regularly explored what his future could look like and broke this down into realistic,
achievable steps. This included:
- Encouraging reflection on progress already made
- Identifying small actions outside of support hours
- Creating a resume together
- Exploring job opportunities in the community
- Driving to local businesses to introduce himself and hand in resumes
- Posting on community platforms to expand opportunities
Most importantly, we continued to reinforce the belief that his goals were possible.
The Progress
Over time, Eliezer began taking meaningful steps towards independence.
A good friend gifted him a car which allowed him to start working with Uber Eats, earning
his own income and building confidence through real-world experience. This was a
significant shift from feeling dependent to actively creating opportunities for himself.
He later enrolled in and successfully completed a pre-apprenticeship course in electrical
work — a field he continues to be passionate about.
At the same time, he began focusing on his physical health. With the support of one of our
team members, who is also a personal trainer, Eliezer committed to regular workout
sessions twice a week throughout 2024.
The Outcome
Today, Eliezer is in a very different place.
He is now working as an electrical technician in the fire safety industry, a role he has
held for over a year. Through this, he is earning a living that sustains him while gaining
valuable hands-on experience that brings him closer to his long-term goals of becoming a
qualified electrician and working in telecommunications.
Alongside this, he has:
- Built strong confidence in his abilities
- Established healthier routines and habits
- Become more socially engaged
- Developed greater independence in his daily life
Through his commitment to fitness, he has also lost 15kg, which has had a positive impact
on both his physical and mental wellbeing.
At home, Eliezer now holds the lease of his share house and plays an active role in
managing his living environment and community — a significant step towards
independence and responsibility.
Most importantly, Eliezer is no longer feeling stuck. He is actively shaping a life that reflects
his goals, values, and potential.