Kirsty Marshall, Victoria

Kirsty Marshall was immediately interested when she heard that the Brotherhood of St Laurence’s Sustaining Economic Empowerment and Dignity for Women (SEED) program provides financial coaching and access to educational programs, training opportunities and employment assistance.

Joining the program this year, Kirsty has worked conscientiously to find ways back into paid employment after a two decade break followed setbacks in her early learning and family life. Later, a relationship affected by family violence also prevented her from continuing a career in the support and care sector.

Kirsty’s confidence has increased exponentially since joining the SEED project and completing all the workshops offered. Her progress has led to her graduating from the SEED leadership program, Change Makers. Through Change Makers, participants learn to write and are coached into presenting their Significant Change story publicly.

Kirsty is now engaged in a six month certificate course which will set her on a trajectory for even higher learning.