Annual Appeal 2025
Riley grew up in a family of six, one of four siblings in a home that went to church regularly. From the outside, theirs might have seemed a typical household, but inside the walls of their home, Riley lived with fear. Her father was physically violent, a shadow that cast itself long over her early years.
By the time Riley was just 13, the weight of her world had become too much. She attempted to take her own life. It happened again at 15. These moments marked the start of a long and painful battle with her mental health—one that she faced with extraordinary courage. She was connected with youth mental health services, and with their help, she managed to complete her high school education—a quiet victory amid the chaos.
In her late teens, she moved in with a boyfriend. What began as an escape soon turned into another trap. Drugs, mostly cannabis, entered her life, and before long, so did violence. When the relationship turned dangerous, Riley fled with nothing—no clothes, no belongings, just herself—and sought shelter in a women’s refuge.
By then, her parents had separated, and her father had remarried. She moved in with them, taking on work and helping to care for their children. Life seemed to settle briefly. She entered another relationship and left her job, trying again to build something new. But her new partner ended up in jail and repeatedly broke the intervention order by contacting her. Her drug use worsened, and she found herself in a cycle of short stays in private rehabs and contact with various support services.
It all came crashing down when she was caught driving under the influence and faced several other charges. Riley served 30 days at Dame Phyllis Frost Centre. But it was during this time, behind bars, that everything changed—she discovered she was pregnant. From that moment on, she didn’t touch drugs again.
Determined to protect the life growing inside her, Riley embraced every part of her Community Corrections Order. She underwent mental health and substance use assessments, completed every requirement, and gave herself fully to the journey of healing. She was homeless upon her release, but crisis accommodation kept her and her baby safe until she was placed in public housing. That was 18 months ago—and it’s where she and her daughter still live today. Through it all, Riley never gave up. She was referred to support services, including Odyssey’s Kids in Focus team. Kids in Focus is a specialist program for child and family support. It provides a range of intensive services for families affected by parental alcohol and other drug use. The program aims to identify the needs of both the parents and their children.
Ren, her Senior Case Manager, remembers her vividly:
“She is so resilient, and such a good mum. Now she finally has the time and space to heal.”
There were debts—nearly $40,000 in fines and bills run up in her name by her former partner. There was a diagnosis of anxiety and depression. But step by step, Riley rebuilt. She got her driver’s licence back. She completed her Community Corrections Order without a single issue. Her daughter, now a bright, busy little girl, is thriving.
Reflecting on how far she’s come, Riley says softly,
“I would not have been as good a mum if I had not received the support I have. I’ll be okay.”
And looking at her today, you believe her.
Riley and her daughter are just one of the families that we have helped. If you are able to support the work of Odyssey Victoria, please consider making a donation today.
Yours sincerely
