Completing your VCE and finishing high school is a challenging milestone for all young people. But for those who’ve faced homelessness, family violence, or deep financial hardship along the way, it’s a mountain climbed against all odds.

The journey to finish school while navigating instability and trauma takes extraordinary courage. At Anchor, we see that courage every day in the young people we support — young people who refuse to let their circumstances define their future.

Recently, one of these young people joined ABC TV News to share her story — a powerful reminder of how homelessness can disrupt education, and how the right support can change everything.

Emma’s reflections are raw, honest, and inspiring. Her experience shows what’s possible when stability, housing, and belief come together. Because when we invest in young people, we don’t just change one life — we create pathways to hope, education, and a brighter future.