Sometimes, a change in circumstances can make you look at everyday life differently. For Grace Finlay, becoming a single mum meant adjusting to a different day-to-day life with her two children. Things she had previously relied on others for, including getting the family where they needed to go, became her responsibility.
She found herself walking everywhere with her children, and realised that being able to drive would make a real difference to their everyday lives.
At 29, Grace decided it was time to work towards getting her provisional licence.
Following a referral from Services Australia, she joined VERTO's Parent Pathways program in October 2025 and began working with Mentor Lily Pottinger.
"Grace was quite quiet and reserved when she first started," Lily said. "She knew she wanted to make some changes for herself and her children, and getting her licence was an important place to start."
With Lily's support, Grace was able to access driving lessons to build her confidence, along with assistance with the cost of her Hazard Perception Test and practical driving test.
Parent Pathways also provided practical assistance through food and general shopping engagement vouchers, helping ease some of the immediate pressures while Grace worked towards her longer-term goals.
But as Lily and Grace spent more time talking, their conversations began to move beyond driving.
They started looking at what Grace wanted for herself, what she enjoyed and what she might like her future to look like.
One of those conversations led Grace back to an area she already knew well: working with children.
Before having children, Grace worked in childcare and had initially considered returning to study a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care. But regular visits to Lithgow Library for Storytime with her children opened her eyes to another possibility.
She began to notice how much she enjoyed being there and how the library brought children, families, books and the wider community together, sparking an interest in library studies as a possible new direction.
"It's been lovely watching Grace discover something that she genuinely enjoys and start to see how that interest could become part of her future," Lily said. "She doesn't need to have everything figured out right now. We're just looking at what feels right for her and taking it from there."
Grace hasn't started studying yet, but she is exploring her options and considering what course might be right for her.
Alongside those conversations about her future, Grace continued working towards the goal that first brought her to Parent Pathways.
In June 2026, Grace passed her provisional driving test.
"Passing her test was a really proud moment," Lily said. "It wasn't just about getting her licence. I think it showed Grace that she could set herself a goal and achieve something that had once felt quite daunting."
For Grace, the achievement has already made a difference to her daily life.
"It's made things a lot easier," Grace said. "I can take my kids where they need to go, and I don't have to rely on someone else to get us there."
She is now saving towards another important milestone: buying a car of her own, which would give her and her children even greater independence.
Grace's journey also shows that Parent Pathways isn't only about employment. The program can support parents with the goals that matter to them, while helping them explore new possibilities for themselves and their families.
"Lily has been really supportive throughout the whole process," Grace said. "It's been nice having someone I can talk to about what I want to do and who can help me work out what steps to take next."
With one important goal now behind her, Grace doesn't need to have everything mapped out. For now, she's continuing to explore her options and take steps towards a future that feels right for her and her children.
For more information about the Parent Pathways program, contact VERTO on 1300 483 786 or visit: https://www.verto.org.au/employment-services/parent-pathways.
