When Kyle Wooden realised his life was heading nowhere, he made a decision to turn it all around.
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One year on, the 19-year-old has become an inspiration for his community, launching a project to help youth sow seeds for a better future.
The 18-year-old left a life of petty crime and worked hard to learn new skills that would set him up for a future, free from felony.
“I was tired of getting in trouble with police … getting around with no money and no income,” Mr Wooden said. “I didn’t want to be on Centrelink.”
When Mr Wooden told mentor and Ngurra coordinator Tania Jones he was tired of living as he was, she said:
“You have got to want to change for people to help you”.
From that day, the young Indigenous man turned the soil on his life.
With dreams of becoming a landscaper, Mr Wooden completed a Certificate III in agriculture and land management, earned his white card, studied management and began working as a mentor at Ashmont Public School.
It was not a simple feat for the young man, who had been expelled from school in year 9. But it was a mission he was determined to see to the finish.
The young man on Wednesday launched the Wooden Project to unite youth from the Ashmont community, combining culture, education and employment.
Under the leadership of Mr Wooden, teens old enough to attain a white card will design a cultural garden at the Ngurra Community Centre.
Mr Wooden said he wanted to give young men and women the chance to pave the path to positive careers, gaining hands on experience and training in landscaping, agriculture and construction.
With the support of TAFE NSW, the Australian Red Cross, local police, council and state government, Mr Wooden said he hoped the initiative would bring positive change to his community.