Gideon’s future is too important to ignore
16 Jun, 2020Generational impact of poverty is huge, but preventable
“Sometimes you’re just hanging in there, by a thread.”
For most Australians, being 20 is usually a fun, carefree time of life. But for Gideon, that hasn’t been an option.
Domestic family violence and a custody battle over his younger brother left his mum Monica without work and under a mountain of bills and legal fees. It was up to Gideon to help keep the family afloat.
He was supporting their family financially, covering rent and bills, the rest of his wage was being saved for university.
Then COVID-19 came and dealt another blow. Gideon lost his work.
Unfortunately, this story isn’t uncommon.
Thousands of young people are struggling financially often through no fault of their own. Overwhelmingly, they are in casual or insecure work, compounding their vulnerable status.
He was supporting their family financially, covering rent and bills, the rest of his wage was being saved for university.
Then COVID-19 came and dealt another blow. Gideon lost his work.
Unfortunately, this story isn’t uncommon. Thousands of young people are struggling financially often through no fault of their own. Overwhelmingly, they are in casual or insecure work, compounding their vulnerable status.
Emerging research suggests people on the lowest incomes and working in the hospitality, retail, and arts sectors (which is highly represented by young people) will be hardest hit over the long term, even as restrictions ease.*
For Gideon, it’s been a lot for his young shoulders to bear; study, work, and watching the custody battle unfold in a long process that has hurt their family emotionally and financially.
If this had been their whole story, it would be a tragic one. But, they have the local church by their side who has been helping Monica.
“The CAP representative from the church, Annette, talked me through it to help me feel comfortable, and made it not so scary… to know that the people that are working with you are acutally praying — I cannot even express.”
Despite all the difficulty they’ve faced, the family is nearly at the end of a 4-year journey towards being debt free. And after months of prayer and in the middle of economic uncertainty, Monica was recently successful in a job application. The near future is one where not only is Monica released from the burden of debt, but both of her sons.
“When the every day becomes too difficult and heavy and burdensome, to know that [the finances] are managed for you — it’s a huge thing that you take away for people that are going through difficulty.”
You can help ensure that young Australians like Gideon don’t get caught in a cycle of debt and poverty. By donating today, you’re showing young Australians that you’re with them, giving a new lease on life for the next generation.
*Grattan Institute, Shutdown: estimating the COVID-19 emplyment schock