I sit on multiple boards and councils, was the 2023 Young Canberra Citizen of the Year, was inducted into the Women’s Honour Roll and am employed at the ACT Human Rights Commission.
In the past 2 years, I have worked harder than I ever thought possible, buying my first car and achieving two cert 4s in youth work and community services.
But my journey to now has not been easy.
I moved over 25 times as a result of being in the out-of-home care system and experiencing homelessness as a teenager.
There were times I thought I had absolutely nothing left to give and there was no way I was going to make it, but I did. I always managed to pick myself back up. Even when it felt impossible.
There have been people who didn’t believed in me and saw me as less than because of what I have been through and what I did to survive.
I started to overcome the stigma the moment I realised I wanted more for myself and there was absolutely nothing in this world that was going to stop me from achieving what I wanted to achieve and the person I wanted to be.
I used my pain and turned it into power.
My advice to other young people in care is to take it one day at a time. Sometimes I even take it one hour at a time.
Healing is not easy, fun or a straight line. In fact, it’s chaos, sadness, happiness, learning, disappointment, achievement and finding yourself all at the same time.
Remember… you are capable, there is nothing wrong with you and your story holds power.
I didn’t have the opportunity to explore my interests when I was younger as I spent the majority of my time surviving instead of living. So I am looking forward to the future where I see myself continuing to grow, heal and discover more things I enjoy.
I guess you never know what life will bring but I also see myself completing a law degree and working in a position that allows me to influence meaningful change for children and young people in out-of-home care.
Working with kids in out-of-home care is a privilege. Workers have the opportunity to really make a difference in children and young people’s lives.
Tayla is a vocal advocate on issues including the care system, youth homelessness and education. Read her recent report with the ACT Children and Young People Commissioner, ‘Listen to me!’ She advocates in both ACT and nationally as part of CREATE’s new National Experience to Action Board (NEABY) and is excited for all of the conversations and insights to come from connecting with other cared-experienced young people through NEABY.
