Growing up was tough for 19 year old Jake Donohue. A difficult home life contributed to serious mental health issues and eventually homelessness.
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Jake felt he had lost all hope, until he found a connection to community, and a future for himself, through the Port Macquarie Youth Hub.
Now, his inspiring story of redemption has been told with the proud young man happy to share his experiences with the world.
“I grew up in a hostile environment, moved around a bit, attended lots of schools and my mental health was not good because of the situation at home,” he said.
“I stopped going to school in year nine, stopped eating, withdrew from my friends, and only had rare chats to my mother and brother.”
“My mother urged me to seek help for my mental health issues, which, thankfully, I did.”
In 2015, after his counselling finished, he moved to Port Macquarie where things did not improve as drastically as he hoped.
He experienced homelessness before he and his family moved into a refuge.
His high school suggested Jake attend a learning centre run from the Youth Hub by popular local figure Andrew Lord, which he reluctantly did.
I stopped going to school in year nine, stopped eating, withdrew from my friends, and only had rare chats to my mother and brother.
- Jake Donohue
“I didn’t show up on the first day but managed to go the next,” he said.
“I am so glad I did (because) the Port Macquarie Youth Hub has saved my life.”
Jake often ended up spending time outside the hours of his learning program at the hub.
“I started to feel safe and positive so I challenged myself to get out of bed every day to go there,” he said.
He completed his Learning Centre program and then set himself the goal of completing year 12.
“I sat for my HSC in 2016, and attended my graduation with a tear in my eye,” he said.
“I thought how much I have gained… accomplishments I never thought possible.
“I thank God I had the courage to walk into the Youth Hub that day to meet Michael (Gilmour), Jayson (Corr) and my teacher, Andrew. I owe them so much.”
Jake still visits the Youth Hub regularly, volunteering both there and at other local organisations.
Jake has found employment at Kmart and is looking forward to the future. He is heading to New Zealand for a leadership course later this month.
As Jake proudly says, “the Port Macquarie Youth Hub changed me from what I once was to what I am now.”
Matt Attard
I was raised in Port Macquarie and consider myself a true Port local. I'm a die-hard rugby league fan and don't mind taking a photo or two. I'd love to hear from you, so please contact me at any time.
I was raised in Port Macquarie and consider myself a true Port local. I'm a die-hard rugby league fan and don't mind taking a photo or two. I'd love to hear from you, so please contact me at any time.
