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“THEY SAID I would become homeless… Now I’m a builder.”
“They said I would only draw the Dole… Now I’m a graphic designer.”
“They said I would never finish school… Now I’m a teacher.”
“They said I was going to be a social problem. Now I’m a social care worker.”
EPIC is an organisation that aims to empower young people who leave State care, a group amongst the most vulnerable in the country.
It believes changing people’s perceptions of young adults who grew up in care is essential to their work.
This video was made to challenge those stereotypes that people hold.
Director of Epic, Jennifer Gargan, has recently highlighted how vulnerable young people are when they leave care. They often end up homeless because they are not prioritised for housing early enough.
“In the last number of weeks, Epic has witnessed a vast increase of young people leaving care coming to our service with LITERALLY nowhere to go. The State in acting as corporate parent must fulfil their responsibility and prioritise accommodation for these young people,” she said. “These young people have no safety net to fall back on and at 18, are often out on their own with no family to support them.”
Earlier this month, we met homeless man Tony O’Brien who had been left living rough on the streets after leaving the care system. A chance meeting with a photographer has led to a job and an opportunity for him to get back into full-time accommodation.
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I was told by my mother that I’d always be nothing. I put myself through university, won a number of awards and got myself a decent job. Things are pretty difficult at the moment, but I am not “nothing”.
Good on you Karen. Well done.
Thank you Carolyn. It actually matters to me when someone takes the time to acknowledge my existence … particularly at the moment, so THANK YOU. Best to you and yours. x
Hi Karen a big well done to you and I am so sorry to hear what your Mum said. Remember you are something your not nothing. Big hugs. Xxx
Thanks Becky. You may not understand this, but your comments mean something to me. Thank you and best wishes to you. x
Best wishes to you too Karen xxx
Well done Karen. Everbody is somebody.
Thanks Mjhint sometimes difficult to remember that. Best wishes to you at this time. Kx
Well done to you Karen, you never were “nothing” and never will be so don’t every let anybody, even those who should be most supportive bring you down and let you doubt your own ability. I know nothing of your mother’s circumstances but as far as I can see she is the one with the huge problem, not you, so make the most of life & enjoy each day, even the tough ones as they will pass. Have a wonderful Christmas & may all your dreams for 2015 come true. I actually wish your mother well also as I do believe she has a big problem to have said those things to you & I speak as a mother myself.
Thank you Mary. Such kindness from “friends” I’ve not yet met. Amazing how that makes me feel. May the generosity you have shown me in your comments be returned in multitudes. Best wishes to you and yours at this time of year, and may 2015 deliver your wishes. Kx
Karen, I know so well what it is like to have a parent tell you that you’ll amount to nothing. I still have to hear that I have achieved nothing in my life, even after I got a Masters degree, became a scientist and invented something new.
Best thing you can do for yourself is not to believe the lies. Whether the hurtful comments come from jealousy or from ignorance, doesn’t matter. Don’t believe them.
You are something. You are somebody. And you are important.
Merry Christmas and best wishes for 2015. Keep that chin up.
Well done to you Karen. You’ve every right to be proud of what you’ve achieved.
Be proud of yourself. You deserve it.
Ah feck it, It’s Christmas so I’m getting in on the feel good vibe. Happy Christmas Karen. This world is full of crap but thankfully there’s more good out there than bad. You’ve got this far so no point in stopping now. Ho Ho Ho
Karen, real mothers nurture their children and build up their childs confidence. They do not degrade their child, thats bullying. You are a better person than your mother,
Thanks Imogene. – very kind words. I hope you keep sharing your story – such an inspiration. Best wishes to you and yours. x
Thank you everyone for you kind words of support. It’s hard to forget being told negative things at times. What’s incredible though is the incredible kindness and generosity which comes from unknown and unexpected corners. This, I will never forget. Best to ye all – may you have much happiness now and into 2015. x
I was told by my guidance counsellor that I’d amount to nothing, nice eh?
Currently self employed, designing,3d printing, assembling and exporting little machines all over the world. I might also have a few patents up my sleeve. School just doesn’t suit some people.
Ps. I was never in state care though. Guidance counsellors can be sh*theads sometimes.
Surely these are the very young people who most need the very care and guidance that seems to be so lacking in their lives? Most children from regular family backgrounds have the advantage of having parents & other adults who love them and help them along the difficult path to adulthood but children in care are at a huge disadvantage in this area. I am so emotional watching the clip above, I have so much respect for these young people who succeeded in life against all the odds, well done to them all & to the countless others whom, I have no doubt managed to do the same. Children/young adults in care should be getting 100% more help and care to ensure that they get the best possible start in life after leaving that state care. Wishing everybody a wonderful Christmas & a healthy and peaceful 2015.
Dey told me I cudint spel.
I applaud their fortitude
They said I’d be dead at 30… I’m 31.
They said I would be happy, now I am married.
Oh well, some things just don’t work out!
They do say, those who can’t……. Teach!!
That’s pretty epic
I have an illness called depression,voices in my head tell me I am nothing but I know I am something because I have a beautiful wife and two beautiful girls, and that is what keeps me going. On children in care it’s unbelievable to think they are kicked out of the system when 18, with all they have to endure up to that age and then have that pulled from under them, so I applaud any one that goes out and make something of themselves under those circumstances.
Stop listening to teachers. They are people that never managed to move on past school, into the real world. So how valid can their opinion be?
It is shocking that once these young people leave state care they have nowhere to go. Many may actually end up back in that troubled family situation that they were reacued from in the first place as children because they have no choice. There should be more for them. Jyat because they turn 18 does not mean they do not need help.
From what I’ve seen of the quality of my childrens’ teachers over the years, they didn’t learn much at schools themselves.
The standard of literacy and numeracy amongst today’s school leavers is appalling.
My son told me his teacher never corrected homework, what’s the point in giving it if you don’t see it’s completed correctly? I made it my business to see the principal who shrugged and as much as said he was aware of the situation but couldn’t do much about it. This is the reality of dealing with public service unions.
I refused to leave it at that but eventually had to move my son to another school and thankfully he prospered there.
Does your sons new school that he is prospering in have teachers? Some of them must be doing something right?
It is our responsibility as parents to support and encourage our children as they find their niche, and it happens at different rates and in different ways for each. Happiness, not status or wealth, is the goal at the end of the day xxxx
So…not really finished with school(unless your next stop is the Dáil ).
Oh give it a rest! Some people have a bit of a want like mr penny apples man! And Paul when ur famous im sure we’ll hear from you but until one of ur inventions make it big hold off on the self praise!
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