When someone reaches out to the Financial Hub because they need help managing their money, the team at YFS are quick to reassure them that they aren’t alone.

‘People often feel a lot of shame asking for financial help,’ says Melanie Evans*, Program Manager for the Financial Hub.

‘But so many of us need support at some point in our lives. Nobody who is brave enough to seek help ever receives judgement from us here.’

‘Not all of us learned how to manage money well when we were young,’ she says. ‘And even if you did, there are things outside your control which can cause financial hardship.’

Any person living in Logan who contacts YFS looking for help managing their money, understanding their financial options, or seeking help paying a bill can have their details passed on to the Financial Hub for support – and will receive a call back from a member of the team.

‘Initially, we call to get an overall snapshot of what their life is like right now – their living situation, work situation, any support they receive from family and friends, and their income and debts.’

Then, Melanie explains, the team will help them develop a plan that’s the right fit based on the client’s priorities and goals.

‘It really depends on the individual’s circumstances. If someone is in rent arrears, for instance, there will be very different options than somebody having difficulty meeting their mortgage payments.’

Once the Financial Hub has a solid understanding of someone’s situation, a team member will begin discussing potential solutions to help the client gain control of their finances. This might include developing a household budget, brainstorming the best way to work off a SPER (State Penalties Enforcement Registry) debt, drafting an affordable payment plan, or exploring the possibility of a waiver (or other financial hardship options).

At every point in the process, the client decides what happens; the Financial Hub’s role is simply to provide them with all the information they need to make an informed decision.

‘That’s the best part of the job. Giving someone who doesn’t have a voice their voice back.’

Financial Counselling is a free service, funded by the government, offering independent support and advice. It’s for anyone who wants to improve their money skills and take control of their finances.

And if someone is concerned about a debt, the team will go through all their options, including possible payment plans, moratoriums, No Interest Loans (NILs), extensions, accessing your superannuation early, selling property, seeking a waiver, or entering bankruptcy.

‘Together we will look at the pros and cons of each until you’re confident to choose your next steps,’ says Melanie.

‘There are a lot of debt management firms who promise to help you with your debt. But they often charge high fees and can sometimes even make the problem worse.’

Central to the way the Financial Hub works is ensuring each person receives the right support – and not just for their immediate financial crisis.

‘You don’t know what you don’t know,’ says Melanie. ‘We provide information about lots of ways to help you and your family meet your needs, like exploring whether you may be eligible for Additional Childcare Subsidy, how to find a bulk-billed psychologist, or whether there is a rental subsidy you can access – even free or low cost holiday activities for the kids.’

‘And when someone leaves the Hub, we want to make sure they’re in a better place than when they came to us. For instance, have they seen the GP, or someone to support their mental health? If not, let’s help them with that, as well.’

‘I think that’s something quite different about our approach. We always try and journey with someone to understand the root causes for their financial stress and look at what can be done to help there too.’

And while clients often first approach the Financial Hub because of a debt or financial crisis, they can keep working with the team to improve their money skills even once the immediate problem is resolved. And this, Melanie explains, is where the real magic lies.

‘When someone learns how to accurately track their expenses and save money, it can literally be life-changing. Being able to live free from financial stress, sometimes for the first time in your life, is a game-changer.’

‘Our clients tell us stories about how learning to budget helped them take their kids on their first proper holiday or meant they could continue living in the home they loved.’

Melanie’s team also support people with gambling habits, and any loved ones who may be impacted by their gambling.

‘Often someone comes in worried about a family member or friend. Sometimes those who love us see the situation most clearly.’

Depending on what a client wants, the team can help track precisely how much they spend on gambling each month (it can be surprising) or discuss options to make sure important expenses are always paid first, like rent or mortgage payments, electricity, insurance, and vehicle registration.

And if someone wants to cut back or stop, the Financial Hub can help them explore next steps, like seeing a specialist Financial Gambling Counsellor or potentially putting blocks on their phone or limits on their accounts.

‘I wish we talked more openly about gambling harm in Australia. I think it’s easier to talk about your mental health or struggles with alcohol than it was, say ten years ago, but there is still stigma around saying my gambling might be causing problems for me or my loved ones.’

Going forward, the team at YFS’ Financial Hub wants this to change. And they understand that, always, their role begins with assuring anyone who reaches out for support that they will be welcomed and never judged.

‘No-one has everything in their life all together. Helping one another along the journey, that’s part of being human.’

*While quotes are attributed to Melanie Evans to make the article easier to read, they are based upon a group interview with the wider Financial Hub team, which also includes Lisa A, Michael C, Rose M, Darren N, and Christine C.

YFS also seeks to hold perpetrators responsible for their violence and can provide referrals to YFS’ Responsible Mens program or other behaviour interventions.

During the 2024-25 financial year, SHINE provided short-term case management, support with safety planning, initial and ongoing assessments of risk, and counselling to 316 women and 79 children. On average, women reported a 66% increase in their feelings of safety when they exited the program.

Alana², SHINE’s Program Manager, describes the team’s commitment to empowering women as key to how their service works.

‘We don’t tell women what they have to do; we don’t make them leave their partner if that’s not what they want,’ she explains. ‘We listen and don’t judge. We provide information and work with a woman on her goals.’

‘Often a perpetrator has insisted on making all the big decisions, belittled her opinion, or made her feel guilty for expressing her needs. At SHINE, that doesn’t happen. We help women on their terms.’

Although referrals to SHINE usually come from police, other organisations can also refer women to SHINE – or women living in the catchment area can reach out to YFS themselves³.

Following a referral, an Intake and Assessment Worker will connect with the woman and explore what concerns she may have. Together, they will talk about what safety looks like, and what she might need to increase her safety.

‘Whenever we contact a woman, we always start by checking it is safe at that time for her to talk and explore how and when it is safest to continue connecting with her.’

Through casework, SHINE can help with:

• developing and implementing safety plans
• accessing emergency accommodation and other housing options
• exploring property security
• information about services to address health, parenting, financial, legal and counselling needs
• education about gendered violence and its impact on women and children
• information and referrals to other services for longer-term healing and recovery.

SHINE DFV specialists are also available at Beaudesert Magistrates Court every Wednesday to help women navigate court process, use the safe room, understand domestic violence orders, and connect with legal support.

Whilst Alana has noticed a gradual increase in understanding about DFV and coercive control within the community over the past few years, she still encounters misconceptions.

‘People often think women are just as likely to be perpetrators as men, or that women just prefer men being in charge in the relationship.’

These myths about DFV are evidenced in the 2021 National Community Attitudes towards Violence against Women Survey, which found that while there have been some improvements in Australians’ attitudes towards gendered violence over the past decade, 23% of respondents still agreed that much of what is called domestic violence is just a normal reaction to day-to-day stress and frustrationˆ.

‘All forms of domestic and family violence are serious and have devastating effects on women and children’s safety, health and wellbeing,’ Alana says. ‘It’s about using your power to control another person, which has no place in a healthy relationship.’

‘It might include a perpetrator preventing their partner from keeping a job, controlling who she sees or talks to, making her feel bad about herself, or making threats to harm her if she doesn’t do what he wants.’

Another perception Alana frequently comes across is people believing that domestic and family violence happens elsewhere, not in their suburb or town.

‘Unfortunately, we know there are men using violence in every community across the country,’ Alana says. ‘Around one in four women and girls over the age of 15 has had an intimate partner use violence against her.’

This year’s 16 Days of Activism to End Gendered Abuse campaign focused on ending digital violence against women and girls.

Digital violence is something the SHINE team also encounter in their work, with perpetrators using personal images to shame, control, or humiliate their partner – often with threats to share the content online.

Like digital content being used for violent acts, Alana also points to the way technology that can monitor people’s movements has been normalised through popular apps that track location, like Snapchat.

‘It might start with something that seems innocent, like a request to share your phone’s location to make sure you get home from your shift okay. But it can easily develop into a tool of control.’

‘Or it can be without the other person’s knowledge that technology is used for monitoring and surveillance.’

In the Scenic Rim, Alana recognises there are additional challenges for women’s safety, with neighbours often living long distances away from one another, and a lack of public transport meaning people can be isolated more easily.

‘If you are worried about a neighbour or friend,’ Alana says, ‘find a reason to check in regularly.’

‘And please, if you live close enough to hear shouting, call the police straight away. Don’t hesitate or think someone else will call, or that it isn’t your business. Too many people have missed receiving help when they needed it most.’

Alana urges everyone in her community to consider ways they can help end gendered violence – whether by calling out gendered stereotyping amongst their work colleagues, encouraging a friend who they suspect is using violence to join a behaviour change intervention program, or by supporting campaigns like the ‘Not In My Community’ movement, which shines a light on the devastating impact domestic and family violence has on individuals and families.

And despite the complex, confronting work Alana and her team face daily, each of them is thankful for the opportunity to show up each day and make a difference. As one client recently shared in their program feedback, ‘the SHINE team saved my life.’

You can reach SHINE by phone, email, or by visiting in person. SHINE supports all women, including LGBTQIA+ and gender-diverse individuals, across the Scenic Rim, Beaudesert, Jimboomba, Flagstone, and surrounding areas.

• 7/133 Brisbane Street, Jimboomba
• Monday – Friday 8.30am – 5.00pm
• Phone: 3826 1500
• Email: shine@yfs.org.au

SHINE is funded by the Queensland Government Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety.

¹ And some parts of Logan, including Jimboomba.

² While quotes are attributed to Alana to help with readability, they are supported by responses from a group interview with the wider SHINE team.

³ SHINE can be contacted by calling YFS on 3826 1500 or by filling in a contact form on YFS’ website. Women experiencing DFV who are living in the Scenic Rim, Beaudesert, Jimboomba, Flagstone, and surrounding areas are eligible for SHINE support. If you don’t live in one of these locations, you can find your local DFV service provider at https://www.qld.gov.au/community/getting-support-health-social-issue/support-victims-abuse/need-to-know/help-and-support-options/find-local-support or by calling DFV Connect on 1800 811 811.

ˆCommunity attitudes – Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

• DVConnect Womensline (24/7): 1800 811 811
  
• DVConnect Mensline (9am to midnight, 7 days): 1800 600 636
  
• 13 YARN (24/7): 13 92 76
  
• Mensline Australia (24/7): 1300 78 99 78
  
• Kids Helpline (24/7): 1800 55 1800
  
• Lifeline Australia (24/7): 13 11 14
  
• Rainbow Sexual, Domestic and Family Violence Helpline (24/7): 1800 497 212  

In an emergency, call 000 and ask for police.  

Depending on a young parent’s goals, Step by Step can help with:

• identifying a family’s unique strengths (and building on these)
• finding housing support
• education and employment mentoring
• group activities for young parents

Each member of the team, despite their specific role, works closely with other one another so that young people feel comfortable and secure accessing any of the services the program provides.

Elianna, for instance, is a Community Connector who works with Step by Step’s peer groups and the Maternity and Child Health Hub which co-locates with YFS at Rowan Street.

On any given week, Elianna may support a pregnant young woman with complex needs who is accessing midwifery services to also develop peer connections by introducing them to Step by Step’s playgroup, Bump2Jump.

Bump2Jump, which meets at Kingston State School’s FamilyLinQ hub, provides opportunities for young parents to grow their parenting skills (modelled by staff), connect with other young parents, build attachment with their babies, and have positive experiences in a safe educational precinct. It is also a space where young parents can connect with other services available within the hub.

Amy Blair, Step by Step’s Program Manager, sees the team’s capability and willingness to help one another deliver a range of services as a key reason Step by Step was able to support 145 families* towards their goals during the last financial year.

“I hope we are known as a team who help young families, despite their perceived complexity, and that we are steadfast in our support.” she says.

“We have young parents who would never walk into a playgroup at a library or other space feel welcome and safe here and then, hopefully, able to venture out further.”

Step by Step, who also receive philanthropic funding from Hand Heart Pocket to grow their innovative, integrated supports, recently published a learning paper on embedding client voice in all aspects of program design and delivery.

“Supporting our Young Parent Influencers to be heavily involved with the development of Jinndii Waijung, a new housing complex for young mothers and their children in Yarrabilba, has been an exciting focus over the past couple of years.”

And with peer groups recommencing on 27 January 2026, Amy and her team are looking forward to another year walking alongside young parents.

“It’s a privilege to be invited into a family’s story and we are all looking forward to another year of learning with, and supporting, families throughout Logan.”

*And 58 women through the Maternity and Child Health Hub – Community Connector. Non-distinct count: the numbers provided are a representation of individual service requests, wherein a single client may access more than one service within the same reporting period (e.g. Hub Community Connector and Step by Step)