Mitchell & Logan’s Story
“Thanks to TRACTION, it is because of them where I am today.”
Brothers Logan and Mitchell are from a small community located in the regional outskirts of South West Brisbane.
During the important transition phase of years 8 and 9 both boys were referred to undertake a variety of TRACTION programs including Bike Build and small engines, progressing on to take on a leadership role as peer mentors supporting other young people through the program.
School was a challenging place for Mitchell and Logan, both educationally and socially. On average in 2024, 66 % of TRACTION school referrals were for young people like Logan and Mitchell who needed support with learning engagement, 63% for wellbeing concerns and behavioural challenges. Mitchell in particular was struggling with reading and writing and this was compounded through being bullied leading him to disengage and act out. Mitchell describes himself at the time as “not a very nice kid, I was always in trouble after being bullied at school. I was looking at a very troubled future and was not at school very often”.
TRACTION offered the perfectly timed opportunity for Mitchell and Logan to have time out from the combined stressors of the classroom environment and reset in a safe and supportive place. With the guidance of TRACTION mentors Logan developed his confidence in building his communication and teamwork skills resulting in the development of friendships and important social connections. Typically across a year 78% of young people say their confidence has improved, 82% have improved communication with their peers and 93% improved their skills for teamwork. Logan understood that he didn't need to isolate himself and that he could ask others for help. Logan began believing that he could do things if he set his mind to it. Like Logan, TRACTION assists on average 81% of young people to develop their skills for help seeking from adults, and 80% have improved confidence to seek help from teachers.
Mitchell explains at TRACTION he felt like he could relax, no one was judging him and that allowed him to demonstrate his full aptitude as a hands-on learner. In 2024 on average 69% of young people identify they have an improved ability to manage school and 67% feel more positive about going to and being at school. Mitchell felt supported and this led to opportunities he believes he would not have gotten if he had of kept going the way he was. Mitchell says that the feeling of having others being proud of him, led him to be proud of himself.
On average each term 96% of young people like Mitchell identify that they have experienced a sense of success in TRACTION programs. Mitchell explains that being able to access help from other people he respects helped keep him engaged. This renewed sense of confidence meant that Mitchell was able to persevere through school. In 2024, school partners agreed that 67% of young people leave TRACTION with an improved attitude towards school, 70% have improved interactions with teachers and 68% with peers and for 82% of young people improved skills for teamwork.
“TRACTION helped build my confidence in learning, it built up my self-belief that I could learn and achieve. My reading and writing got better too. At TRACTION no-one ever gave up on me, they helped me through when I really needed the help”. In 2024 schools agreed that 66% of young people had improved their level of effort at school and 81% of young people had improved levels of self-confidence at school.
Mitchell’s mother also agreed that both her sons matured a lot during their time with TRACTION. They gained knowledge and confidence, which previously was lacking. In her own words, she explains that “children thrive when doing TRACTION.” Most parents echo this sentiment with 94% agreeing their child developed their confidence, 83% agreeing their child feels more positive about themselves and 60% had improved levels of wellbeing.
Through the TRACTION programs, both boys were able to identify career pathways they wanted to pursue, typically 68% of young people agree that they leave TRACTION with clearer ideas of a future career path and 84% with skills for future work. TRACTION was able to facilitate access to apprenticeships which they have both completed. Mitchell is now a fully qualified mechanic and Logan after finishing school with grades sitting at A’s and B’s is completing his apprenticeship as an auto electrician. Mitchell and Logan feel more hopeful about their futures and so do the 75% of young people who identify that because of TRACTION, they can be a good role model to other young people and make a positive contribution to their community.