Renae Gaiter unexpectedly became a mother at 20 years old. Six years later, she is a qualified businesswoman with her own local company.
The Moonta mum said wouldn’t be where she is without Parent Pathways (formerly ParentsNext) – a free government program providing support to parents of young children.
“Becoming a mother at a young age was challenging,” she said.
“I cherish my time with my son but, raising him over the past six years, I thought to myself I need something for when he goes back to school.”
Through Parent Pathways, Renae was able to complete Certificates III and IV in Business online and meet with a mentor locally.
She is now partway through a Diploma in Business.
“I fully loved it. At the end of the night when my son was asleep it was my time to do my coursework,” Renae said.
“They funded a laptop, workwear, anything I needed to help study.
“From everything they’ve helped me do, I’ve actually started my own business, Nice and Neat Cleaning Co, doing home and holiday cleaning.”
She said Parent Pathways had helped her better herself while at home looking after her son.
“Without them I wouldn’t have known where to begin,” Renae said.
“It gave me a lot of confidence to have somewhere to go when he’s at school, rather than my son go to school and I sit there and go ‘what now?’.
“The fact that he sees me out enjoying myself, back in the workforce, he’s happy for Mum.
“Your children show you that nothing’s impossible.
“And in his eyes, he’s like ‘you’re working so you can buy me more stuff’.”
Parent Pathways
Parent Pathways, funded by the Australian Government and delivered by Uniting SA in the Yorke and Mid North region, offers intensive, personalised assistance and financial support to eligible parents and carers of children aged up to 6.
It has outreach programs in Kadina and Yorketown but can be flexible in delivery for anywhere on YP.
Parents can apply if they are on a parenting or carer payment, or if they are First Nations, aged under 22 or an early school leaver.
Participants choose how often they engage with their mentor, and mentors work with them one-on-one to set up and achieve goal plans.
Support includes referrals to specialist services, and funding for training, education, employment, child care, transport and licensing.
To express interest in Parent Pathways, email parentpathways@unitingsa.com.au or phone (08) 8259 2900.
Article written by Sarah Hermann. Originally published in The Yorke Peninsula Country Times. Reproduced with permission
Source: https://www.ypct.com.au/community/from-young-mum-to-business-owner