*Brand images used - not associated with the young person in the story
When Mike* started Year 8 at Cleveland District State High School, things weren't going smoothly. Without the right support around him, big emotions were hard to navigate, and behaviour incidents had become a regular part of his week. By the time a staff member recommended him for TRACTION, Mike had 19 incidents on record. That staff member saw something in him and believed a different kind of environment could help him show what he was capable of.
They were right. At TRACTION, Mike found mentors who backed him every step of the way. They set clear expectations, paired them with genuine care, and never gave up on him. Working with his hands, learning outside the traditional classroom and being trusted with real responsibility gave Mike a reason to show up and a place where his strengths could shine. Over the course of the program, his behaviour incidents dropped from 19 to just 2.
As his confidence grew, so did Mike's voice. TRACTION gave him his first real taste of leadership. He began guiding other students through tasks, speaking up in group discussions, and when Federal Member for Bowman Henry Pike visited, it was Mike who led him on a tour of the TRACTION facility.
That growth has followed him back to school, where staff now describe a significant increase in his maturity. Mike completed the program in 2026 and is excited to keep building on his leadership through the rest of high school. His goal is to one day be the person helping other young people up, just like TRACTION helped him.
*Name changed to protect privacy