Finding my purpose – a young mum’s journey.
At just 24, Krystal was raising her three-year-old daughter Alora on her own, while also caring for both of her parents — a responsibility that has left her stretched thin, but deeply committed to personal growth. “This year I’ve been doing a lot of self-reflection and development,” she says. “It’s been hard, but I’m working on me.”
An artist and creative spirit, she spends time journaling, painting, doing yoga, and bungee fitness — and has even boxed and played netball. “I’m a hands-on person, but I was in a really, really low place when I first found Village Connect.” She had just gone through a difficult breakup and was emotionally exhausted. “I was walking past and saw a flyer on the door — Playgroup for under 25s — and I thought, perfect, that’s exactly what I need.” That flyer turned out to be a life-changer. “I walked in and said, I need help.”
She started with a playgroup but quickly connected with the team and began accessing more support. “At first, I didn’t think I wanted help beyond the playgroup. But with the kindness, love, and generosity of the Village Connect team, I completely opened up.” Over time, she took part in programs like Love Bites, Being a Parent (BaP), and even trained as a BaP facilitator. Her daughter Alora has also received occupational therapy and speech support — and is now thriving. “She used to be shy and quiet. Now she wants to make friends, she’s curious and confident, and her speech is so clear. I’m just so proud of her.”
But the biggest transformation happened within herself. “When I started with Village Connect, I had no purpose. I was struggling. I was deep in the dumps. But now I’ve set goals and smashed them. I want to write a book. I want to do things I never thought I could.”
What began as a way to support her daughter’s development became something much bigger. “At first, I thought Alora needs this, but the team said no, we need to work on you. And they did — they got me to a really good point in my life. I’m so grateful.”
What made the difference? Responsiveness, care, and consistency. “With other services, I always felt like I was waiting, like nothing was happening. With Village Connect, things started moving right away. Whether I needed clothes or just a 5-minute breather, they were there. Always.” For her, Village Connect is more than a service — it’s a place of meaning. “It’s something I purely enjoy. It fills my heart. I found my worth here.”