A Hard Lesson in Choices — And the Call to Stand in the Gap

This past week, our store experienced something that left us feeling both heavy and reflective. Three young people entered while our team was occupied with other tasks. Seizing the moment, they helped themselves to items from our shelves and left. A short distance away, they laughed and celebrated their actions, boldly wearing what they had taken.

Our store manager didn’t respond with anger or hostility. She approached them, not as a security guard or enforcer, but as a person. She told them who we are, what we do, and who they really stole from — not just a store, but from a community project working hard to support local young people just like them.

To their credit, they didn’t run or deny it. They didn’t apologise, but they did ask, “Do you want them back?” Two items were returned on the spot. A third, we only discovered missing later when reviewing footage. She also noticed other items they had that didn’t belong to us — and after contacting another local store, it was confirmed those too had been stolen.

There’s a deeper story here than just theft.

As human beings, we are shaped by our choices — the good and the bad. Consequences matter. Not to shame, but to teach. To grow. To help us see who we are and who we’re becoming. These young people made a choice. But what led them there? A lack of respect? Guidance? Role models? Discipline? Or maybe something deeper still — a lack of self-worth?

It’s easy to look at incidents like this and feel frustrated, even angry. But we need to ask, where are the safe, guiding voices in their lives? What messages are they receiving — at home, in their schools, their peer groups or society at large?

We all have a part to play.

It brings to mind the story of the young boy on the beach, racing to throw stranded starfish back into the sea after a storm. An onlooker, overwhelmed by the number, told him it was pointless. “You can’t save them all,” they said. The boy, holding one starfish, replied, “No, but I can make a difference to this one.”

That’s the spirit that drives our work.

Every time we mentor, teach, train or simply connect with a young person, we offer them another way — a different path. A way back from bad choices. A chance to build something stronger within themselves.

You can stand with us. Help us keep creating these moments of connection and change — through mentoring, volunteering, funding or simply sharing what we do. Together, we can reach the ones in front of us — and help write a better story for the next generation.

Be the difference. Be the one.

To discuss how you can be involved contact us at info@teenchallengetasmania.org

If you would like to financially support our work with young people hit the button below and you’ll be taken to our donation page and can safely donate via PayPal.