Scholarship strengthens support coordinator to support others

11 Apr 2023

Kiera is using the scholarship, which covers up to 100 per cent of course fees, to study an Advanced Certificate in Allied Health (Youth Mental Health) at the University of Melbourne.

“Receiving the scholarship provides a little more financial support but also has provided me the encouragement to continue the journey in learning and development, it is another level of support and installs personal belief in the academic journey,” Kiera said.

The St John of God Health Care scholarships were introduced for the first time in 2023 as a part of the organisation’s focus on ensuring its caregivers are supported to become the best health care professional they can be.

Kiera said she hoped her continuing study would not only support her own practice but also the care and support provided by entire St John of God Horizon House service.

“The young people we support at St John of God Horizon House have often been faced with significant trauma and adversity,” she said. 

“This partnered with acknowledging the difficulty in the transitions and stages of life of being a young adult, alongside the complexity of homelessness we are continually working in the youth mental health field. 

“I am hoping we continue to provide a quality, relevant service and youth friendly service to the young people we support by ensuring our team of youth workers and caregivers are guided by current knowledge and practice to enhance service delivery and meet our client’s needs.”

Kiera said after more than a decade working with the service, the relationships she builds with vulnerable young people continues to fuel her desire to make a difference.

“The best thing about my job is that we see a lot of young people build self-belief and worth, the young people take us on a journey with them and we celebrate a lot of milestones with them. Plus we have a lot of laughs.”