Thriving Against All Odds: Rob's Inspiring Journey of Personal Growth and Success

“Rob”, a determined 17-year-old, who’s time with Dismantle and ReNew is a prime example of the ability of at-risk young people to thrive, given the right support and opportunities. Despite a tough family background and limited access to positive role models, Rob has not only made huge strides in his personal growth but applied himself and excelled in his work. 

In 2019, Rob joined a BikeRescue Program for people on Centrelink with his brother. Rob was very shy at first but soon opened up to the youth mentors about struggling to find work. Fast forward to 2023, Rob is working as a dedicated member of ReNew Property Maintenance. 

Rob's natural aptitude for hands-on work, combined with his strong work ethic, set him apart. Regardless of the task at hand, he consistently gave his best effort and never complained. Often referred to as, “Mr Reliable”, the ReNew Team Leaders have watched Rob thrive during his time working for ReNew. 

Rob’s journey was not without its challenges. Initially shy and hesitant to ask for help, he lacked confidence and struggled with social interactions. However, through his involvement in the JobReadii program, Rob experienced significant personal growth. His time with JobReadii and ReNew have helped him break through emotional barriers, boost his self-assurance, and develop better communication skills.

In addition to his personal growth and achievements, Rob has recently embarked on a new chapter in his life. With the guidance and support from the JobReadii team, he started a Roof Carpentry apprenticeship, further expanding his skill set and career prospects. This exciting opportunity allows Rob to apply his natural aptitude for hands-on work in a specialised field.

In just four short years, Rob has undergone a truly remarkable transformation. The change in his confidence is nothing short of extraordinary. To those who knew him before, he is virtually unrecognisable. The journey he embarked on, fuelled by determination and support, has allowed him to break through barriers and discover his true potential. Rob’s newfound confidence is a testament to the power of resilience, personal growth, and the positive impact that can come from the right opportunities and support systems.

Empowering Youth and Expanding Horizons: Dismantle and doTERRA Unite Once Again

In 2021, Dismantle partnered with doTERRA to bring the BikeRescue program to Kununurra, at East Kimberly College. The results of our collaborative efforts in the 2021 program have made a significant impact on young people's lives in the region. With the generous contribution of $10,000 from doTERRA Healing Hands Foundation, we were able to empower young people in Kununurra and help them discover their potential through bicycles. The impact of this partnership was beautifully captured in this video from doTERRA.

“The teachers were amazed to see kids who hadn’t been engaged in their education for months turning up every day to participate. To see their confidence and skills grow throughout the week as they worked alongside their mentors was incredible to witness. We are so delighted to be working alongside our Sandalwood Supplier, local community partners and Dismantle to bring the BikeRescue program to First Nations students at East Kimberley college once again this year and look forward to watching a new group of young people thrive.”

— – Carolyn Bruce, Social Impact manager at doTERRA

Building on the success of the previous year, doTERRA has once again pledged $10,000 towards the BikeRescue program in term 3 of this year. This year's program will see the BikeRescue team returning to East Kimberly College and additionally heading to the Youth Centre (PCYC). The team will conduct bike maintenance sessions in the afternoons that will be open to young people in the broader community. The PCYC expansion will allow the our mentors to engage an additional 30 young people. Reaching more young people while also providing an opportunity for participants in the school program to share their knowledge and mentor others in the community.

Dismantle are very thankful to doTERRA for this ongoing partnership. We are excited to witness the next group of young individuals thriving and discovering their potential. Together, we are making a tangible difference in the lives of these young people, fostering growth, empowerment, and a brighter future for the community of Kununurra.

If you are interested in learning more about the BikeRescue initiative and how it could benefit your school or community, please contact us here. 

The Dismantle Charity Team are tackling the Cape2Cape again in 2023.

Once again, the Dismantle Charity Team is gearing up to conquer the Cape2Cape MTB event, while raising funds for WA’s at-risk youth.

The Cape2Cape MTB event is the largest and longest-running MTB event in Australia, spanning the awe-inspiring coastal landscapes of Western Australia. Against this backdrop, the Dismantle Charity Team is gearing up to raise $100k for disadvantaged young people.

Last year, the team’s efforts resulted in over $50k raised, which directly benefited disadvantaged youth in regional and remote areas of Western Australia. The funds helped expand the reach of our BikeRescue programs, bringing essential mentorship, hands-on training, and life skills development to communities from Leonora to Exmouth.

“I felt so proud to be amongst such a high spirited team willing to give it their all to support charity AND to complete such a brutally fantastic event.”

— Rohin Edwards, Charity Team Member

This October, the team with support of the event organisers, Ironman, aims to raise $100k to support Dismantle's mission. Every dollar raised will contribute to ensuring that at-risk youth in Western Australian have the opportunity and support to break the cycle of disadvantage and build a better future.

“I’ve competed in the Cape to Cape over 10 times and last year as part of the Dismantle team was very special. The camaraderie between the riders, support before & after the race from the Dismantle staff and raising money for a cause that is close to my heart made it one to remember.”

— Damian Tice, Dismantle Charity Team Member

If you have been eyeing the Cape2Cape ride or want to challenge yourself to support WA’s at-risk youth, the Charity Team is currently seeking new riders for the C2C this October. By joining the team and taking on this incredible journey, you have the opportunity to not only push your own limits but also raise funds that will empower young individuals and break the cycles of disadvantage. You can register for the team here or contact us for more information at marketing@dismantle.org.au.

Ways to get involved

If you're unable to participate in the big ride itself, there are several other ways to get involved. You can donate to each rider to get them closer to their goal or donate to the team as a whole. Additionally, purchase raffle tickets for a chance to walk away with a fresh new mountain bike, the Merida 22 Ninety-Six RC 5000, while supporting the cause.

Keep an eye out for the upcoming merchandise, as purchasing it will not only raise funds but also spread awareness for Dismantle. No matter how big or small, every contribution plays a vital role in reaching our goal and making a difference to the lives of WA’s young people.  

Hayden's Story

Hayden volunteering for WA’s State Emergency Services during the recent flooding event in the Pilbara and Kimberley regions.

At 22, Hayden joined ReNew Property Maintenance after struggling with years of unemployment and was rapidly losing hope and motivation. Starting his first shift at ReNew in 2020, Hayden has gone on to accomplish an incredible amount in this short period of time. We caught up with him recently to discuss his time at ReNew and where it’s taken him today.

"I had been looking for a job for almost two years prior to that, but I couldn't find anything. Then this opportunity came up, so I took it and started working with ReNew from then on. Shannon and all the bosses saw potential in me to be better. That gave me the motivation to keep working harder, and yeah, eventually after I put in the hours, they started giving me more time on the tools which was a great feeling."

Starting at ReNew on three days a week and gradually progressing to full-time employment, Hayden’s confidence, skillset and rapport with staff and colleagues began to grow. 

"Hayden's growth and development during his time at ReNew was remarkable. Before joining ReNew, Hayden came to us facing significant challenges in his life that had him set him on a difficult path. In a normal workplace, he may not have been an obvious candidate to take a chance on. But ReNew is about more than training young people to be landscapers or labourers, it’s about building a sense of pride in young people who’ve lost it along the way, rebuilding self-confidence and that sense of accomplishment that you get from having a job and feeling you’ve done good work. That was certainly the case with Hayden.” - Shannon Barnes, ReNew Property Maintenance.

The ReNew supervisors weren’t the only ones who noticed Hayden’s outstanding work ethic. After just seven months of work, a client of ReNew’s, the Town of Mosman Park, offered Hayden a job in their Parks Department where he has been working full-time for nearly two years. In addition to this role, he has been volunteering with the SES (pictured above) to support clean up efforts in far north WA following a major flooding event at the end of 2022, and he occasionally works part-time with the Australian Army, all with an eye toward his ultimate goal of joining the WA Police Force.  

"If I didn't get that work with ReNew, I would not be where I am right now. That’s for sure. It was a big stepping stone for me because at the time, I wasn't motivated at all to really work, you know. ReNew gave me the confidence to do all of this. I also found that to get a job - it's easier to get a job if you already have a job. Employers see that and it means something.” 

Despite Hayden’s busy schedule, he remains committed to giving back to the community that supported him on his journey.

"I've said to Shannon before, if he ever wants me to come in and have a chat with the other young fellas and all that about it...if it helps motivate them, or anything, you know, I'm happy to do that too." 

Hayden's achievements and ambitions for the future are a source of great pride for his colleagues and mentors at ReNew. We continue to cheer him on as he pursues his dreams, and we are confident that he will achieve even greater success in the future.