Letesha's Story.

WORK WORK.

Trigger warning: this brave story discusses addiction and homelessness. Please read with care.

“I've been thriving. ”

Staying stable and structured, holding down a job - it's a big part of life. If you can support yourself, you won't struggle. I like that I’ve got something to do; something that I enjoy. It's a beautiful place to work. When I'm at Two Good, I feel so happy; it's like I'm meant to be here.

I was working with one of my caseworkers and she could see I was looking really hard for a job. I'd never had one before and I just wanted to get my life straight. So she found this Work Work program at Two Good, made a few calls, I had my interview with Daf…and she said I could start in a couple of weeks!

I was cheering; I had broken the cycle for myself. I’m 30 and I’d never had a job in my life. I was just so excited…and nervous at the same time, I'd never been in the workforce before.

If you work the program, it will work for you in the long run. They’ve got it all set out right, with the mentors and the Purple Bow Club days where they go through different skills, the mock interviews - it all plays a part. But you've got to make sure you put your all into it, because you still have to get a job after it ends. If you take consideration, if you take it all in, it's getting you prepared for your next journey after this.

My confidence has really boosted. When I first walked in these doors, I thought I wasn't capable of doing what was needed. But now I'm right in there, doing it all. Work Work really has had such a big impact on me. The opportunity that's come out of it, and what it’s brought out in me - people here say, “I can't believe this is your first job”.

That’s the most significant thing that I've learned here, just working hard. Getting up early, having long days…it's so satisfying."

FOOD IS MORE
THAN FOOD.

"I’ve really fallen in love with food. It’s real creative and it’s never ending; you can learn so much.

“It’s something you put your love into.”

I love taking on a recipe and wanting to execute it to the best of my abilities, so that it’s satisfying for whoever's receiving it at the other end…cooking as passionately as possible, putting heaps of love and care into what I'm doing.

I like that we make nourishing meals that feed people in need. And on the other end, knowing they're going to love the food that they receive from us. It's great that Two Good does that for the community out there.

Even sitting down every day at lunch is golden. Sitting down together, all in a row, having lunch and having conversation. It's just beautiful. Not many people get that at work.

For my Two Good meal, I made a Tandoori Chicken with Chickpea + Pomegranate Salad with Yogurt Dressing. I loved that day. I just wanted to show them what I've got, you know? And to share what I love to eat. It’s a favourite of mine; I actually love any kind of curry. It’s one of the foods that my nan and pop used to make me. I carry that on now, making it every Thursday night. For me, a curry is a meal that means a lot…and it meant a lot to cook it for Two Good.

I'm really liking my little journey. Now that Work Work has come to an end for me, I’ve got more opportunities to come; I'm going to do a course with the National Indigenous Culinary Institute, which I'm so proud of. I've started my training and have a few different work experiences coming up, in some very well-known food establishments.

I feel that I've grown. I’m really proud of holding down a job and feeling capable. Even sharing my story now - I would have shut down, I wouldn't have known what to say. But I can carry a conversation now…I could get out there and look for work by myself, if I needed to. I see how much confidence plays a big part in my life; I never had that much, but now that I've built it through this program, I know I can achieve things.

I know I can get out there and make good choices."

“I can set my path straight.”