Laid-back, polite, good-natured, and open to the future, 20-year-old Omar* is like any young person you may know. He is ready for the world of crypto, AI, and whatever good fortune lies ahead.
We meet Omar on his last day at Hargreaves House, inCommunity Connect’s crisis accommodation program for young people. He has just ticked off his final goal set here: securing long-term accommodation, and he is beaming.
Omar has just signed a lease for a unit in transitional accommodation where Omar will rent a unit, his own space. There, Omar can lean into on-site case management support as he needs while making his way forward into this next exciting chapter.
So how did he get to this day? Omar explains he had been kicked out of home and was living with a friend for a couple of months when he was first recommended to give inCommunity Connect a call.
“It was two months of uncertainty. When I heard about inCommunity Connect, I immediately thought it would be really good because it had a program that I thought could help me and teach me a lot of things. And there would be workers to support me. I really like all of them.”
And it’s clear he does. Omar quickly shares he has learnt an array of life skills from the inCommunity Connect’s Case Managers – essential skills for living a successful life connected with others.
“When I first came here, I didn’t know how to cook, even cut an onion. My cooking has progressed so much I can now cook dinner for everyone here. Pasta is my best meal. I really enjoy cooking and now have many recipes,” says Omar proudly.
Alongside cooking, he has learned how to grocery shop by making a list and buying cost-effective items. He’s learnt to wash his clothes, how to hang them so they will dry, and how to mow. What is clear when Omar shares these anecdotes is that his naturally open disposition has allowed him to soak up so much life experience in such a short period of time.
“I’ve learnt from the workers how to manage personal relationships. How to hang with people and be connected with others. They are all so calm and very supportive, it’s enabled me to open up to them,” he shares.
Of the more formal Case Management program Omar undertook twice a week while living at Hargreaves House, he shares how his goal setting included saving for a car, researching driving lessons, continuing his studies in social media and digital marketing, and applying for transitional housing.
Early in his stay at Hargreaves House, Omar commenced the Tenancy Skills Institute course to assist with his housing application, learning practical how-to skills to successfully manage a rental property.
“I did the course online and it was really good. It takes you through your rental ledger, paying rent on time and your bond. And it really helped me with my transitional housing application. I knew that it would be good to request a support letter from inCommunity Connect to add to my application. I also learnt how to build a good rental ledger from my time renting here. It made me so much more confident with my application,” says Omar.
Now on the brink of moving into his new unit, he shares: “I’m excited to start a new life over there. Meet my neighbours, live independently, finish my course and get a job. It’s an open slate.”
When he reflects on his time at Hargreaves House and the support he received from the Case Management Team, Omar says “I’d be nowhere. I’m so grateful to have been here and be part of this program. It’s a pivotal moment in my life and I’ll never forget this place. I arrived with an open mind to see what could happen and it has positively surprised me. I’ve made a real leap forward, 100%”.
So as he says goodbye to the other young people and Case Managers at Hargreaves House, it is clear that this experience has been very positive for him. But what is also easy to see is that Omar will be fondly remembered for his time here too. 100%.
*Client’s name has been de-identified.
