Everyday Natalie (13) and Isabella (15) get up at 5.30am to catch the bus to school. It’s a three-hour round trip. And while it’s a long journey, they’re determined to make it work.

“They haven’t at any point given up, or just be like, ‘I’m not going to school’. They get up every single day and make it to school,” says Eva, their Wesley Family Preservation Caseworker.  

Since moving to their new school, they’ve found friends and supportive teachers who are helping them thrive. But it wasn’t always this way.  

Not too long ago, Natalie, Isabella, their two siblings TJ (8) and Yasmin (16) and their mum, fled their home. Escaping domestic violence, they left with very few belongings and ended up staying in a hotel. But that didn’t last long, and without any place to call home, they continued to live in unstable accommodation.  

“We just got stuck going from house to house,” Natalie says. Unable to find a house to live in altogether, their mum left all four kids with a family friend. But this quickly became another unstable home.

No place to call home

With 10 people living in a three-bedroom house, not only was it crowded, but the home wasn’t clean. And they didn’t receive regular meals. But they had nowhere else to go, no one to confide in, hardly any possessions or any money. And the few possessions they did have were ruined while living in such an unclean home.

So, when Eva first met Isabella and Natalie, they were closed off. And TJ didn’t even talk or attend school.

“They just had blank looks on their faces,” Eva reflects. “No kid should have to go through any part of what they’ve been through.”

Eva immediately organised food vouchers, new identification and clothes for them all.

“I remember Isabella just meticulously going through the box and filtering out all of the things that weren’t stylish,” Eva laughs.

A new focus

Ensuring this family’s safety then became Eva’s priority. Shortly after, TJ and Yasmin went to live with their dad, while Natalie and Isabella were sent to live with their cousin. While their cousin did all she could to create a home-like environment, even securing a third job so she could provide for the girls, it didn’t feel like home because the girls barely knew her.

“I had to then pick up the pieces,” Eva says.

Determined to help Natalie and Isabella find some normality in their lives, Eva began picking them up from school every Tuesday. Whether they’re having a snack or going shopping, Eva always makes time to chat.

“They’ve been through quite a lot, but I do feel I have helped them find some sense of normality in terms of being a teenager. Whether that’s having friends, going to the pool or going shopping,” Eva says.

And that bond has made a world of difference to Natalie and Isabella. Whether they’re making song requests from the backseat of Eva’s car or telling jokes, both Natalie and Isabella appreciate having Eva in their lives.

“I think they enjoy having an older role model and someone that they can healthily test boundaries with. I’m very patient with them. I let them be themselves. And I try and encourage them as much as I can,” Eva says.

Eva also jumped through many hoops to find them a new school, so Natalie and Isabella could join a support class to help with their learning difficulties. While a challenging transition and long commute, Isabella and Natalie are thankful to now have a school that supports them.

“School, it’s pretty good. They help you a lot. Most schools don’t have that much support, and they don’t care. This school cares for you,” says Isabella.

Eva is proud of how resilient they have become despite their circumstances. And it warms her heart seeing how much they smile these days.

“I think that’s the best part about the whole entire thing, the fact that they’re still smiling and giggling. They’re always so happy when I pick them up from school. They’re always saying ‘bye’ to their friends. They’re always saying that they had a good day. They’re always just excited about what’s happening in their lives,” Eva says.

A future filled with hope

Natalie and Isabella are now living with their dad and their two siblings. And all four of them finally feel safe and happy.

“They have structure and routine now. They’re going to school every day, and they come home to a safe environment. Natalie and Isabella now have their siblings, and they don’t have to worry about if they’re going to have another meal,” Eva says. “TJ is even getting closer to where he’s supposed to be academically since living with his dad.”

Having faced trauma, both Natalie and Isabella both want to improve their mental health, and Eva is the process of organising counselling for them.

“I think they’re able to recognise that, yes, not so good things have happened, but we can improve on that. They have that drive and ambition to feel better,” Eva says.

Isabella has even started planning for her future. And one day she wants to be a lawyer.

“Seeing Isabella even just think about where she wants to be in the future is quite refreshing,” Eva says.

For Eva, it’s been a joy being able to support this family move towards a better life. And she’s grateful for the support she’s received from her team at Wesley Family Preservation to help this family on their journey to safety.