November 2025
Brighter Futures STORIES FROM OUR COMMUNITY
A Family Who Has Never Given Up When his father was hospitalised for many months, Zach kept life steady for himself and his younger sister – showing quiet strength and determination. Sixteen-year-old Zach and his twelveyear-old sister, Paige, have been part of the A Start in Life community since 2020. Their single father, John, has always been committed to his children’s education. Life has not always been easy for the family, but they’ve faced every challenge with quiet determination and a strong sense of care for one another. Earlier this year, their resilience was tested in ways no young person should experience. John became seriously unwell and required emergency surgery, which led to the amputation of his leg and months in hospital. We insisted that the family stay – after all, they needed support now more than ever. And that’s when Zach truly came into his own. While his father remained in hospital, Zach took on responsibilities well beyond his years. He coordinated with our Student Assistance Team, sent through school reports, took forms to hospital for his dad to sign, and even took it upon himself to email us with updates. “We were blown away by Zach’s perseverance and resilience” our team shared. “His maturity is so impressive”. At home, Zach and Paige kept up their routines. They packed their
November 2025
lunches, ironed their uniforms and did their laundry. Every day after school, they travelled over an hour to visit their dad in hospital. At a time when many young people might have struggled to stay motivated, Zach and Paige’s perseverance never wavered. Not only did they attend school every day, they continued to give it their best. They completed every assignment and stayed engaged with their learning. Zach received a special school award, while Paige was asked to perform guitar at a school event. Their teachers have had nothing but praise for their attitude and effort. John is now back home and continuing his recovery, and the family is beginning to find their rhythm again. When we caught up recently, John was at a loss for words for the support they received from our team. “I want to say thank you and appreciate everything you’ve done for us, especially this year. From my heart, thank you for your patience.” When we congratulated Zach on how amazing he’d been throughout this time, he became teary – a quiet moment that said more than words ever could.
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“ I’m just full of emotions at the moment, because I’m so proud of them, and I’m just so blessed that you guys are in our lives.” Now that Zach has a little more time and with a desire to support others, he is hoping to learn more about psychology, while Paige continues to find joy through playing guitar and being in a band with her friends. With the continued support of A Start in Life, Zach and Paige are well positioned to build on their strengths and develop the skills needed for a successful future. Their story is a reminder that with encouragement, young people can find strength they never knew they had – and that support at the right time can make all the difference.
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