Making A World Of Difference
The Age
Saturday December 13, 2008
IT'S easy to take breakfast for granted: many of us skip it, some on purpose. But two young women from Melbourne's eastern suburbs know all too well what it's like not to have food in the fridge, or even a home to go to.
Emily Jane, 23, and Ebony Watson, 24, have faced struggles in life, but they know that support is always available at Eastern Access Community Health. When My Career arrived at EACH to chat to them and their support worker Rosie Petschack, that support came in the form of bacon, eggs, tomatoes, and fresh fruit.Having worked in a variety of areas such as special education in schools, children with disabilities, adolescent psychology and women's welfare, Ms Petschack has a firm belief that helping fulfil people's immediate needs - such as providing a good meal and a sensitive ear - can make a world of difference to people who are struggling."I've always wanted to help people who can't get regular access to normal services," she says. "I believe that we're here for a purpose, so I've always taken work seriously and tried to do something that will make a significant difference in people's lives."After eight years working at Maroondah Hospital in adolescent psychology, Ms Petschack returned to university - La Trobe - to complete a masters degree in counselling in human services, before taking a job as a support worker at EACH."And now I do what I really love and I get paid for it," she says.Food and counselling aside, Ms Petschack and other staff at EACH help young people like Miss Jane and Miss Watson manage money and Centrelink responsibilities, complete their studies and consider further options, and find jobs and housing."What we aim to do here is provide people with the basics, to put concrete building blocks under people and build them up to a higher level where they can achieve their goals," Ms Petschack says.Miss Jane started going to EACH about five years ago when she needed help with school work and finding food. In her early 20s she struggled to find housing and moved from place to place, occasionally living in her car.EACH has since helped Miss Jane find accommodation in Ringwood, and assists her with food each week."Without their help," Miss Jane says, "I'd probably be hungry and living in my car." Miss Watson, who suffered from psychosis and schizophrenia and was struggling to return to normal life after extensive treatment, has begun to develop her plans for the future, with the encouragement of people such as Ms Petschack."I'm just doing voluntary work at the moment, but I'm hoping to do event management - I'd love to organise weddings," Miss Watson says."I'd also like to put out a newsletter about mental health, so people in the community can learn more about it."Miss Watson says socialising with other young people experiencing the same issues has given her confidence to try new things. "It's like a community: the people are all so welcoming and supportive," she says.The same is true of being a member of staff, Ms Petschack says."There is a very strong camaraderie among the people who work here and that makes it an exceptionally enjoyable place to work," she says. "Lots of people here are called 'support workers' but they might have doctorates in philosophy, a degree in social work, or be a clinical psychologist. What I love is that we all come together to do the work, and it doesn't matter what our backgrounds are." -- MEGAN BYRNE
© 2008 The Age