Life now brighter for Tyler
It’s only been a few months since the Townsville Stronger Communities Action Group started working with Tyler* and his family, but we’ve already seen a change for the better.
Tyler, aged 10, is now enrolled at school full-time and his school attendance has improved dramatically.
There are no signs of Tyler offending, and police checks show he’s no longer out in the middle of the night in the company of older repeat offenders.
He’s even participating, and excelling, in a PCYC-sponsored leadership course at school.
When we first met Tyler last year, he was attending school sporadically on a reduced timetable. He’d been involved in stealing a car, was committing break and enters and trespassing, and regularly coming to the attention of police late at night when he snuck out of home.
His parents were unable to manage his behaviour.
They’re also on a low income and have at times needed food hampers to feed their family. In addition, there’s a history of serious medical issues, alcohol misuse and domestic violence in the household.
The complex and interwoven issues in Tyler’s young life are typical of what we see in families, and all of them form the backdrop for why some young people offend.
By bringing in and coordinating a mix of services, we’ve given Tyler and his family the close guidance they need to make positive changes in their lives — this help has been willingly accepted.
One of the first starting points was getting Tyler re-engaged in schooling.
A family support agency is also providing his mother and father with positive parenting strategies, while a mental health provider is now working directly with Tyler to address behavioural issues.
There is more to be done, however we’re hopeful Tyler will work to become someone who contributes positively to the community, and not become entrenched in the criminal justice system.
He is a reminder that, with support, change is possible.
*Not the child’s real name
First published in the Townsville Bulletin
