Inspired by her participation in an art event through MacKillop, Tayla recently ran an art fundraiser of her own, paying forward the opportunity she received when she was a teenager in residential care.
Inspired by her participation in an art event when she was in the care of MacKillop, Tayla recently ran an art fundraiser of her own, paying forward the opportunity she received when she was a teenager in residential care.
For most of her young life, Tayla lived in residential care, moving between agencies before finally arriving at MacKillop when she was aged 13. It was here that she felt most supported, with Tayla saying that, “being in the care of MacKillop afforded me the first opportunity to feel I still had the chance at a family dynamic.”
While with MacKillop, Tayla, who loved to paint, was invited to take part in an art exhibition fundraising event. Her painting was auctioned and sold. Selling her artwork was a revelation for Tayla, as for the first time she felt that she had created something that other people would value. It was then that she began to believe in her own worth.
After leaving care, Tayla began work as a florist and enjoyed providing flowers for events so much, that at the start of 2019 she started an event management course at Victoria University.
As part of the course, students are requested to propose an event concept, which is then voted for by their teachers. This year, Tayla’s idea – a dinner hosted and catered for by students - was selected. And in a nod to her gratitude to MacKillop for its support of her over many years, and inspired by her own positive experience of painting, Tayla invited kids from our residential homes to create 20 paintings to exhibit and sell on the night.
While the night was a great success, raising almost $3,000 for MacKillop and the young people in our care, Tayla said her proudest accomplishment was having her mum and two little sisters in the room, adding, “this would not have been possible without the love and the care that MacKillop gave me when I needed it most.”
I want kids in resi care to know they are worth something and they too can make a good life for themselves – they just need to know someone believes in them.