27-year-old Kayla has been on a rough journey for the past few years. Unfortunate circumstances and some poor life choices caused Kayla to lose access to her children.
“It’s been a long road,” Kayla says.
“It’s like a death. Mourning someone but they are still alive,” she says sadly.
“They should have been with me every step of the way. I’m part to blame for what happened. I realise that. But I came to the conclusion, if I want my kids to be safe, I need to get my act together.
“My kids motivate me. I don’t want to feel that loss again.”
Fortunately, Kayla was encouraged to connect with UnitingSA where she met Aboriginal Programs and Family Counselling Coordinator, Tashara.
“It was around Christmas time last year when she came in and I said ‘let’s get you some food’,” says Tashara.
Kayla remembers it well.
“I find it really hard to ask for help. I feel judged,” she says.
“I had got my children back in my care, but I was waiting for payments to come through. It was tough.
“Even now, with what I get from government, it’s enough for food, rent and petrol and that’s it. No extras.
“Last Christmas was tough. I only had a few little things for the kids. I felt like such a failure.
“My daughter asked me – ‘how many gifts am I going to get?’ I said ‘That’s up to Santa’ but in my head I’m like, I don’t know how I’m going to be able to afford anything.”
Kayla was encouraged to register for UnitingSA’s toy room. She was able to book in a time to visit the toy room and hand-pick gifts for her children.
“On Christmas morning, you should have seen the kids eyes light up. It was lovely.”
“It was the first Christmas in five years that I’d been able to spend with my children. It was our best Christmas ever!”
Thanks to support from the team at UnitingSA, Kayla is continuing to get back on her feet.
Kayla’s children will benefit from UnitingSA’s toy room again this Christmas and with support, counselling and her can-do attitude, Kayla is rebuilding her life.
“I tried not to repeat what happened to me in my younger years … ” she says.
Before her thoughts can take her to a negative place, she says defiantly, “But now I’m kicking butt.”
Kalya’s next goal is to get a part-time job, and she hopes to one day be able to afford to buy her own house.
Perhaps the best example of the way she’s turned around her life, is demonstrated through the actions of her 7-year-old son.
“He’s starting to develop empathy,” she says proudly.
“He used his pocket money to buy a toy car. He then wanted to donate it for someone else to use. So we brought it here and he gifted it to UnitingSA for another child.”
“I think about who I used to be – that’s not me now.
“I’m strong now. I’ve got my life back and I’m holding on to hope.”
Find out how you can help Save this Christmas for someone like Kayla – click here to visit our Christmas Appeal page.