Emerge

28/08/2026

When the kid doesn’t fit in the school, we make the school fit on the kid.

He may have trouble paying attention in the classroom but find something he loves, help him build confidence, learn skills and succeed you cant pull him away.

Whatever it takes to help young people having a hard time grow and learn. Meeting them exactly where they are with eyes on a positive future.

A big shoutout to Darren from neuroworksyouthcoach for jumping back in and helping our young people.

23/08/2026

“I’ve got a feeling there isn’t going to be anyone else like me in this room” - Jayden

“It’s even more important that we are here then” - Jen

While we have been quiet on socials, we’ve been quite the opposite in building and evaluating what Emerge looks like next. We have some pretty exciting things happening ahead; taking 10 years of knowledge and front line youth work and rebuilding our relational and responsive approach with and for the kids who need us most.

This last week we were invited to share our experience and perspectives in contribution with the Aura - Sunny Coast community who are making sure there are plenty of options for young people in their community. The local PCYC crew are incredibly proactive in making
Sure no kids are left behind for their new programs and PCYC build and that gives us so much hope for the future. We look forward to collaborating, and watching this special project grow!

Young Jayden, one of our older boys shared with the group his life experiences; getting into trouble and the people and moments who helped him turn it around.

I’m always so incredibly proud to watch our former participants dive in and start to take their history and turn it into purpose.

It’s what legacy is made of 💕

17/06/2026

21!! It’s a milestone 🎉💕

When people ask me how long our programs go for, I’m never really sure how to answer.

At Emerge, when you join you join for life. Big on belonging, connection, relationships and becoming a family unit for the good times and the tough times, Which means there’s no real end to our program if young people don’t want there to be.

Met this wild young fella in a wild place many years ago; we’ve done some really tough stuff together over the years but privileged to walk beside him into adulthood and alongside all the adventures he will have.

Happy 21st to everyone’s big brother, uncle and son Jayden 🎉

14/06/2026

Thanks to the Chronicle for helping us say goodbye to Toowoomba.

We’ve had so many beautiful messages and comments, truly we are grateful for everything Toowoomba and its people have done for us.

I also wanted to add that while our Toowoomba chapter is closed, we are still doing deeply important work, working with young people (many still from Toowoomba) Sometimes just what a young person needs when working through really tough stuff and tough cycles.

Our work will look different for a little while, while we pull back the arrow on our next big dream. Building a home that loves broken kids back to life; physically a home and a model of relational and real youth work helping young people who’ve lost their way.

It feels big, but I remember when they told us we’d never get Emerge off the ground to 😉

A committed board, some starting savings in the bank and a youth worker with a dream that we won’t let go to sleep 💕🌈

Thanks for being a part of our story… so far…

Toowoomba youth charity Emerge has officially closed in the Garden City after a decade helping hundreds of disenfranchised young people find housing, education and employment 👉 https://bit.ly/4eiwlgz

12/06/2026

Today we closed our Toowoomba chapter.

10 years of absolute chaos, love and laughter. Plenty more words I could use but I reckon they are the top 3.

We got plenty wrong, we got lots right, we dared to do it different and boy did we have a good crack.

Thankyou for all the memories Toowoomba; kids, staff, volunteers and community. It’s been nothing short of epic.

I hope that everything we learned, trialled, failed, won, lost we can now take and do something absolutely magical.

I’ve made some big promises to some kids who didn’t make it and I’m committed to see them through on our next adventure. Building a forever home that loves broken kids back to life 💕

On we go 💗🌈

04/06/2026

I just asked one of our young people, who just so happens to be in the care of The Department of Child Safety the number one thing he thinks a kid in care should receive if they can’t live at home with their parents or family.

He responded “Care, love and food”

1500 page commission inquiry summed up in 3 words by a young fella who’s living in it.

Okay, we better crackin then.

21/05/2026

Box off the streets - Sunshine Coast

In two weeks we start again; boxing and fitness for young people having a hard time.

For over 10 years we’ve been working with young people who have lost their way; we are going back to our roots to start on the next 10.

What starts as some simple boxing at Emerge results in belonging, mastery, independence and generosity.

Kids join us to put the gloves up and old habits down.

A full program of boxing, fitness, employment and life skills and help getting things back on track with boxing coaches, youth workers and mentors.

Send us a message to get involved. 💪

13/05/2026

Last week I spent some time with my mates at Backtrack Youth works and The BackTrack network.

I’ve been a big fan of BackTrack for a long time, but even more so spending time in Armidale and amongst the BackTrack network closely over the last few years.

Some of the founders of other like minded youth organisations have become close friends; on my speed dial when youth work or being a founder and running a youth organisation gets intense.

I admire them deeply, inspired by their tough and grit to back some of the most disadvantaged kids all around the country, a bravery to try things differently, my visits to backtrack are always timely, kinda right when I feel like giving up I go spend time with these amazing people and I find love and courage all over again.

This last week I brought along one of our young fellas who’s been kicking around Emerge for a few years now, over dinner with Backtrack’s founder Bernie Shakeshaft this incredible young man, whom only met Bernie that day sat and lead something we call circle work amongst us; our young man, 4 seasoned youth workers including Bernie who created circle work many many many years ago.

Not only did he lead it but he explained it perfectly, not for a minute realising he was sharing with its creator.

It was a pretty special full circle moment of legacy for me and I’m sure for Bernie too.

Emerge in Toowoomba is about to take its last breathe, closing its doors and a big hearty chapter. Jen Shaw, youth worker/ founder and what Emerge takes shape as next… well whatever it takes to help as many young people having a hard time as we can.

With gratitude,

🌸 J

04/05/2026

Our crew had a great time helping out at the Bonyi Bounty last night as part of the horizonartfest serving up absolutely devine Indigenous dishes and putting our old faithful hospitality skills back into good use.

Been a hot minute, but we’ve still got it 😎 proud of these kids working hard, bringing a vibe and making us all proud 💕

Thanks to Aunty Dale & the amazing chefs and team for including us. 💕