success Stories
Celebrating our Community
Real Lives, Real Impact
Fostering Collaborative Success in Our Community
Discover the transformative journeys of individuals who have found support, opportunity, and a sense of community through our various programs. From young people navigating challenges to individuals with disabilities achieving remarkable milestones, these success stories echo CLA's commitment to nurturing each person's unique potential. Dive into these inspirational narratives and witness how we are actively shaping a more inclusive and vibrant community.
MY SDA (SPECIALIST DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION) JOURNEY
A Continuing Story
I grew up with horses and always love and enjoy spending time with animals since I was young. The idea of animal therapy stayed in my mind after the psychologist suggested it. I’ve a diagnosis of progressive spinocerebellar ataxia, which impacts my walking and speaking. However, it doesn’t impact my passion for life!
One of my strengths is speaking up for myself and knowing what I’d like to achieve in life, so I shared the idea of trying animal therapy with my CLA Support Coordinator, as I found that it’s a good social and community opportunity that I’m interested in. The CLA Support Coordination team helped me explore and liaise with service providers who provide animal therapy, which is a good chance to build my social skills.
However, it’s impossible to find a perfect place without trying a few times. I’ve tried several organisations that offer animal therapies, which didn’t work out for me in the beginning, because I’d like to do more hands-on practices and to interact with animals directly in the session. Luckily, the Support Coordination team found Trevena Glen Farm for me! Trevena Glen Farm is the right one that I love as I felt be respected by the staff and I’m able to have hands on interactions with all types of farm animal, and I'm fully engaged in the two hours animal-therapy session. I really like to pet, cuddle and groom horses, rabbits, guinea pigs, goats, and alpacas. I have several good pictures need to show you :) (It was so hard to choose pictures!).
One of my strengths is speaking up for myself and knowing what I’d like to achieve in life, so I shared the idea of trying animal therapy with my CLA Support Coordinator, as I found that it’s a good social and community opportunity that I’m interested in. The CLA Support Coordination team helped me explore and liaise with service providers who provide animal therapy, which is a good chance to build my social skills.
However, it’s impossible to find a perfect place without trying a few times. I’ve tried several organisations that offer animal therapies, which didn’t work out for me in the beginning, because I’d like to do more hands-on practices and to interact with animals directly in the session. Luckily, the Support Coordination team found Trevena Glen Farm for me! Trevena Glen Farm is the right one that I love as I felt be respected by the staff and I’m able to have hands on interactions with all types of farm animal, and I'm fully engaged in the two hours animal-therapy session. I really like to pet, cuddle and groom horses, rabbits, guinea pigs, goats, and alpacas. I have several good pictures need to show you :) (It was so hard to choose pictures!).
The animal therapy session is just one of the achievements in my NDIS journey. Another achievement I have to mention is that I live in a Specialised Disability Accommodation with my sister with full-time professional supports since October 2020, which is a big deal for me to live more independently with the quality support at home, and this has been a big transition for my family as well. The Support Coordination Team supports me to contact with services who provide in-home support, which help me maintain my relationships at home and day to day needs. Now I am supported to build my independence in completing some daily living activities and playing games at my own home.
I lived with my parents and sister for the past 10 years and mum was the primary carer for both me and my sister. However, the family home’s layout didn’t meet my support needs anymore due to the progressive needs of disability. With support and assistance from the CLA Support Coordination Team, they found me a suitable SDA home close to the family home and is able to meet me and my sister’s needs and supported us to build the capacity of independence.
It takes time to adapt to a new environment and changes, I found it was difficult to handle in the new house in the beginning as things were all new to me. However, the Support Coordination team supported me to go through the transition phase and now I’m happy and comfortable to live in the new home, and spending more and more quality fun time with mum. One of the examples is that I had a good time with mum in the Winter Wonderland, and we experienced the snow from a snow machine and took pictures with the igloos (See pictures below).
I have passion for exploring new things and now I start to research animal interactions at Australia zoo, so this means maybe I can go in and pat the Tigers and hopefully play with the little tigers' cubs. Also, I want to explore the Sea Life which used to be called Underwater World and kiss a seal lion in the future!
My NDIS Journey with CLA NOW CONTINUES!
Life is full of uncertainties and adventures. One of them being my sister has decided to move out from the current SDA home. I am very worried about sharing with someone who isn’t family; what the outcome of this will mean to me as my life here that I have finally gotten used to. However, I am hopeful with support from my mum and support team, I will be able to continue to speak up for myself and make decisions that are important to me. I know the transition is going to be tricky and hard, but I know people around me will respect my choices, support me to explore different options and opportunities so that I can be in control over decisions that affect my life. So, the journey continues with the whole unknown involved again, which is very hard.
I lived with my parents and sister for the past 10 years and mum was the primary carer for both me and my sister. However, the family home’s layout didn’t meet my support needs anymore due to the progressive needs of disability. With support and assistance from the CLA Support Coordination Team, they found me a suitable SDA home close to the family home and is able to meet me and my sister’s needs and supported us to build the capacity of independence.
It takes time to adapt to a new environment and changes, I found it was difficult to handle in the new house in the beginning as things were all new to me. However, the Support Coordination team supported me to go through the transition phase and now I’m happy and comfortable to live in the new home, and spending more and more quality fun time with mum. One of the examples is that I had a good time with mum in the Winter Wonderland, and we experienced the snow from a snow machine and took pictures with the igloos (See pictures below).
I have passion for exploring new things and now I start to research animal interactions at Australia zoo, so this means maybe I can go in and pat the Tigers and hopefully play with the little tigers' cubs. Also, I want to explore the Sea Life which used to be called Underwater World and kiss a seal lion in the future!
My NDIS Journey with CLA NOW CONTINUES!
Life is full of uncertainties and adventures. One of them being my sister has decided to move out from the current SDA home. I am very worried about sharing with someone who isn’t family; what the outcome of this will mean to me as my life here that I have finally gotten used to. However, I am hopeful with support from my mum and support team, I will be able to continue to speak up for myself and make decisions that are important to me. I know the transition is going to be tricky and hard, but I know people around me will respect my choices, support me to explore different options and opportunities so that I can be in control over decisions that affect my life. So, the journey continues with the whole unknown involved again, which is very hard.
Ian's New Car
On the 15th of May Ian drove away with a near-brand new car!
His ‘baby’ the 2010 white Toyota Yaris represented two years of hard work and saving. It also represented a sense of freedom, reliable transportation to visit his girlfriend and do the things he loves.
Two years ago, Ian was looking for a car in all the wrong places, filling in the paperwork for ‘diamond loans’ that were hardly understandable and purchasing a car that left him stranded and out-of-pocket. Finally the car gave up the ghost and was picked up by scrap metal.
At this point Ian began his search for another car, visiting the likely haunts – dodgy dealers and loan sharks. After mentioning to his CLP worker that a certain ‘car’ was on hold for him at the dodgy dealer’s yard, he was challenged to consider if there was a better way to save for and purchase a newer car. CLA turns over several cars each year to be sold at trade-in rates. In was in consultation with the CLA finance worker, Carmel and CLA coordinator, Morrie it was identified that Ian could save for a near-new CLA car that would become available in six months’ time.
At this prospect, Ian was thrilled; it gave him a challenge to save and an attractive outcome to follow. Ian saved with gusto, forgoing some of his regular expenses to put more money towards the car. When six months had passed, it came time for the car to be moved on. Ian had saved over 50% of the car – a very impressive outcome. He was given a no-interest loan to pay off the remainder of the car within the next 1-2years.
The key handing over ceremony was held on the 15th of May, there were toasts and speeches as Ian, his friends and co-workers at the NCEC café celebrated the decision Ian had made and the goal he had achieved.
His ‘baby’ the 2010 white Toyota Yaris represented two years of hard work and saving. It also represented a sense of freedom, reliable transportation to visit his girlfriend and do the things he loves.
Two years ago, Ian was looking for a car in all the wrong places, filling in the paperwork for ‘diamond loans’ that were hardly understandable and purchasing a car that left him stranded and out-of-pocket. Finally the car gave up the ghost and was picked up by scrap metal.
At this point Ian began his search for another car, visiting the likely haunts – dodgy dealers and loan sharks. After mentioning to his CLP worker that a certain ‘car’ was on hold for him at the dodgy dealer’s yard, he was challenged to consider if there was a better way to save for and purchase a newer car. CLA turns over several cars each year to be sold at trade-in rates. In was in consultation with the CLA finance worker, Carmel and CLA coordinator, Morrie it was identified that Ian could save for a near-new CLA car that would become available in six months’ time.
At this prospect, Ian was thrilled; it gave him a challenge to save and an attractive outcome to follow. Ian saved with gusto, forgoing some of his regular expenses to put more money towards the car. When six months had passed, it came time for the car to be moved on. Ian had saved over 50% of the car – a very impressive outcome. He was given a no-interest loan to pay off the remainder of the car within the next 1-2years.
The key handing over ceremony was held on the 15th of May, there were toasts and speeches as Ian, his friends and co-workers at the NCEC café celebrated the decision Ian had made and the goal he had achieved.
JAMES'S NEW CARGO BIKE
James is talented in many areas. He is proficient in electronics, setting up solar panels, CB radio, repairing push bikes, gardening, and various building tasks. James operates an organic worm juice farm under his unit, his home-produced worm juice is a hot-selling product at Espresso Train Café, Patent Park Nursery and Garden Gem Nursery.
James also has a special interest in bikes, he often refers to himself as a ‘cycle advocate’. This is because James cares about the environment very much, he particularly enjoys the convenience and freedom bikes provide without exhausting any emissions.
For a very long time, James required support from workers to stock worm juices due to not having an appropriate transport method. James owned a few bikes, both traditional and electrical ones. However, none of them have enough space to carry a few crates of worm juice. James has been searching for something that is environmentally friendly and enables him to deliver his worm juice to places independently. One day in 2021, James saw a cargo bike which was exactly what he wanted.
While a cargo bike seemed to be a perfect solution, it was very expensive to James at the time. In general, the bike James was looking for cost between $6000 and $10,000. James did not have enough money, so he set up a saving goal. James used to have issues with budgeting as he tended to spend on things he did not need. Since he set up his goal, he only bought things he needed. James asked to have a saving account with CLA, of which his income from selling worm juice goes into his savings. James also collects empty bottles and cans for Containers for Change, money earned from this also contributes to the cargo bike. James believes that quitting smoking also helped him to save lots of money.
After 24 months of hard work, James finally saved enough money for a cargo bike. James bought his first ever electric cargo bike with 500Wh battery capacity, 90km maximum range, and 220kg max rider weight. James loves his cargo bike, since he got it in September 2023, he had a ride to the gateway bridge to Murrarrie and to Woody Point in Redcliffe, he has also delivered a load of worm juice to Nundah Espresso Train himself.
In the future, James would like to put another battery on the cargo bike so it can take him to further places. James wants to use his cargo bike to do some delivery jobs in the community. He is also planning to put his worm juice label on his cargo bike so he can advertise his business whenever he goes.
James also has a special interest in bikes, he often refers to himself as a ‘cycle advocate’. This is because James cares about the environment very much, he particularly enjoys the convenience and freedom bikes provide without exhausting any emissions.
For a very long time, James required support from workers to stock worm juices due to not having an appropriate transport method. James owned a few bikes, both traditional and electrical ones. However, none of them have enough space to carry a few crates of worm juice. James has been searching for something that is environmentally friendly and enables him to deliver his worm juice to places independently. One day in 2021, James saw a cargo bike which was exactly what he wanted.
While a cargo bike seemed to be a perfect solution, it was very expensive to James at the time. In general, the bike James was looking for cost between $6000 and $10,000. James did not have enough money, so he set up a saving goal. James used to have issues with budgeting as he tended to spend on things he did not need. Since he set up his goal, he only bought things he needed. James asked to have a saving account with CLA, of which his income from selling worm juice goes into his savings. James also collects empty bottles and cans for Containers for Change, money earned from this also contributes to the cargo bike. James believes that quitting smoking also helped him to save lots of money.
After 24 months of hard work, James finally saved enough money for a cargo bike. James bought his first ever electric cargo bike with 500Wh battery capacity, 90km maximum range, and 220kg max rider weight. James loves his cargo bike, since he got it in September 2023, he had a ride to the gateway bridge to Murrarrie and to Woody Point in Redcliffe, he has also delivered a load of worm juice to Nundah Espresso Train himself.
In the future, James would like to put another battery on the cargo bike so it can take him to further places. James wants to use his cargo bike to do some delivery jobs in the community. He is also planning to put his worm juice label on his cargo bike so he can advertise his business whenever he goes.
Visible Ink - 2023 Youth week Art Competition
This artwork was created by a collective of young artists from Visible Ink for the 2023 Youth Week Art Competition.
It won the People’s Choice Award on the theme – North Brisbane: my community is ME! It was published as the cover art for the 2023 North Brisbane Info Card. Community Connections worked in partnership with Picabeen Community Centre as members of the Brisbane North youth Alliance to run the art competition and weeklong display at Visible Ink.
This is a celebration of young people’s talents, ideas and contribution to our community and future. Community Connections has been a leader of this work since 2014.
It won the People’s Choice Award on the theme – North Brisbane: my community is ME! It was published as the cover art for the 2023 North Brisbane Info Card. Community Connections worked in partnership with Picabeen Community Centre as members of the Brisbane North youth Alliance to run the art competition and weeklong display at Visible Ink.
This is a celebration of young people’s talents, ideas and contribution to our community and future. Community Connections has been a leader of this work since 2014.
