By Janine Hill

A NURSE has credited a Burnside-based education program for teen mothers with saving her life.

“Shelley” had two children under three, no support and no hope when she connected with STEMM – the Supporting Teenagers with Education, Mothering and Mentoring program at Burnside State High School.

She had not completed high school but was able to enrol in a tertiary pathways program at STEMM which led her out of an abusive, controlling relationship, into a nursing degree and to a happier life.

“I think it saved my life,” Shelley said of the program.

“I wouldn’t be the person I am today. I would still be sitting in that environment, probably on drugs, not working a day in my life, and my kids would have grown up in that environment,” she said.

Shelley said that through STEMM, she recognised she was in a domestic violence relationship and was able to access the support and help she needed to leave.

“I had never been in a relationship before. I just thought that must be what it’s meant to be like. I didn’t know what it was and I didn’t know how to get out of it,” she said.

She said STEMM was like a family to her.

“They offered me the family support that I didn’t have at that time,” she said. 

“It wasn’t just about study. For me, it was more than just that. It was support, it was safety. It was a place I could go and feel safe and where I didn’t have to worry about anything.”

Shelley said leaving a DV relationship while juggling motherhood and study had been difficult and people often wondered how she did it.

“In all honesty, when you become a mum, you get a special strength to protect your kids, and it doesn’t matter how tough things are, you just try to push through for your kids,” she said.

“That was my motivation – to try and give my kids a good life and make sure they were safe.”

Shelley now works at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital, is in a happy relationship with a new man with whom she has bought a home, and her children are doing well at school.

STEMM founder and coordinator Jacqui Dean said the TPP program was very successful because class sizes were small, and students were able to get the support they needed. 

She said TPP students usually studied four subjects – a basic maths and science,  assessment skills to learn how to write assignments, and a communities/social work subject – over one to two subjects a year over two years.

STEMM is available to young mothers up to 24 years old who are are at least 12 weeks pregnant or have children.

Places are currently available in the TPP program. For information, phone STEMM on 5459 7376 or go to www.stemm.com.au.

* Shelley’s real name has not been used in this story for her safety and that of her family.