Ruby* enrolled in our Belonging to Family program at the Mid-North Coast Correctional Centre with a clear purpose.
After years of being in and out of custody and missing much of her daughter’s childhood, she decided it was time to take control of her future, process her past, and be there for her grandchildren.
She also wishes to use her life experiences, including her struggles with drug addiction, to help others and give back to her local community when she’s released.
Our team’s first impressions of Ruby were that she was respectful and hard-working and took every opportunity to seek guidance from the Dunghutti Elders, who helped facilitate the program.
She embraced the Belonging to Family program and eagerly participated in discussions about positive communication, parenting and relationship skills.
“We also talk about what leads them back to crime and recognise who is there for them when they are in custody—not their friends, but their family,” our team said. “We talk about addressing anger issues and treating loved ones with respect.”
Belonging to Family is a throughcare program with participants connected with support in the community before they are released. When she is released this time, Ruby will have secure housing and stability, which she knows will go a long way to help her work towards her goals.
“Participants know that we are there for them and can support them,” our team says, “I have spoken to Ruby about training and employment and linked her with services like Real Futures.”
As part of the program, Dunghutti Elders also join sessions and share their stories and life experiences.
“Participants love seeing the Elders and hearing their stories, poems or singing, as we do have one Elder who sings and reads out her poems,” said our team.
This has inspired Ruby, a talented poet herself, and she’s been encouraged to continue writing while in custody and after release.
After completing the program, Ruby feels more confident in her ability to build a better future. When she is released, she plans to avoid bad influences from the past and relocate to a new area.
“The program has helped her realise that there are things in her past life that she is ready to deal with and address by getting help and assistance,” said our team.
Ruby has become a role model to other mums in custody and is a natural ‘doer’, getting on with jobs that need doing at the centre and always on hand to mentor others, and she is also an Aboriginal delegate for others at the centre.
“It was a privilege to guide Ruby through the program,” said our team, “she needed someone to listen to her story without judgement and just be there as another Goorie (Aboriginal) Woman supporting her.
“We built a trusting connection, and she knew that she could talk openly with me and that I could understand her experiences.”
We wish Ruby all the best as she continues to rebuild her relationship with her daughter and work towards a brighter future for her whole family.
*Names and images changed to protect participant privacy
Thank you to the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) for supporting this program.
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