World Care Day Edition: My Journey with CREATE and Beyond
I’m Tee, and I’ve been with CREATE for over 7 years. I’ve held various roles, including National Young Consultant and Influencing Committee representative. This year’s World Care Day focuses on “Our journeys,” and I want to share mine.
My journey with CREATE began during COVID, whilst I was going through a tough time. I attended my first Speak Up meeting, where I found a way to channel my anger towards the system into advocating for change. Through my involvement, I realised my ambitions and goals.
Having grown up in the foster care system, I knew education was my way to a better future. Despite many challenges, including conflicts with caregivers and periods of homelessness, I kept pushing forward.
A highlight of my education was winning a science competition in year 10 that allowed me the chance to visit laboratories in Tasmania, Melbourne and Antarctica. I unfortunately couldn’t finish my HSC despite doing well on my prelims due to my lack of placement available.
At 18, I faced a bout of homelessness exiting care but eventually found housing with support. Soon after, I learnt I was pregnant. Becoming a mum made me seek to give my child a better life. So, I enrolled in online certifications, since that was my only option to get into Uni without an ATAR. And despite the all round lack of support or assistance, I got in! Now, I’m studying a double degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice/Laws at UNSW.
My journey has not been easy, but it reflects my determination to overcome challenges.
I am actively involved in advocacy, serving on the National Youth Advisory Group for the Prevention of Gender-Based Violence. I also mentor young women exiting care, helping them with their transition and achieve their goals. I have also founded a company aimed at creating educational programs for young people in care, focusing on the links between out-of-home care and domestic violence. I am in the process of beginning to develop the programs. They aim to help young people with care experience foster and build safe relationships, involving lived-experience individuals in the process.
Like many kids in care, I had to learn things that others find easy. However, I didn’t let my background stop me from achieving my goals.
Remember, you are capable of anything. Your mindset matters tell yourself you are enough. If you keep trying, you will succeed. Don’t let your past or others’ opinions define you. Never underestimate yourself, your strength or your resilience. You are a bone fide warrior. We are tough, we are strong, we have survived a system that was built to break us and survived!
This story was submitted as part of World Care Day 2025.
With the 2025 theme, “Celebrating Every Journey,” we honour the different paths each person in care may take, recognising that no two stories are the same. From personal achievements to moments of resilience, this day is about celebrating every young person in care, their achievements, their strength and their story.
Join us as we #SnapThatStigma and show the world the strength, courage, and success. Together, we can create a future where every voice is heard.
