Come and See:
A Journey of Curiosity,
Courage, and Change
In Scripture, few phrases resonate as deeply as the gentle yet powerful invitation: ‘Come and see’ spoken by Jesus to his earliest followers, these words were more than a call to observe - they were an open door to transformation, to a life reimagined.
That same spirit of invitation - curiosity, courage, and hope - lives on today in the work of Anglicare WA.
At Anglicare WA, ‘come and see’ is more than a phrase. It’s a posture. A way of being. It’s how we approach our mission to create a just and fair Western Australia where everyone can thrive. We invite others to explore with us, to challenge what is, and to imagine what could be. Together, we seek to redefine what is possible.
One of the most powerful expressions of this philosophy is Home Stretch - a bold initiative that may well be Anglicare WA’s finest moment.
Redefining the Road to Adulthood
In July this year, after more than eight years of dedicated work, we concluded our involvement in Home Stretch with the closure of our final contract. Fortunately, the legacy of this program is anything but over.
Home Stretch began as a campaign to address a glaring gap in our care system: the abrupt end of support for young people the moment they turned 18. It was a system that asked them to ‘go it alone’ far too soon. We knew there had to be a better way.So, we asked questions. We listened. We partnered. And we built something extraordinary.
Home Stretch became a living example of what happens when curiosity meets compassion, when systems are reimagined with the voices of young people at the centre. It was a collaborative effort — young people, carers, service providers, and government agencies all coming together to see what could be different.
What We Built Together
The outcomes speak for themselves:
- Extended Support: Young people received guidance and care until age 21, easing the transition to adulthood.
- Personalised Coaching: Transition coaches walked alongside each young person, building skills, confidence, and connection.
- Financial Empowerment: The Invest in Me Fund offered practical support for dreams, goals, and emergencies.
- Stable Living: Agreements and subsidies allowed young people to remain with carers beyond 18.
- Housing Security: Allowances helped secure safe, stable homes.
- Support Circles: We nurtured enduring networks of family, friends, and community.
- Cultural Connection: Young people were supported to stay connected to culture, community, and country.
- Rights and Independence: With knowledge of their rights, young people could access support independently until age 25.
A Legacy of Possibility
Home Stretch wasn’t just a program—it was a movement. It showed what is possible when we lead with curiosity, when we listen deeply, and when we act boldly. It reminded us that real change happens not in isolation, but in community.
So now, as we reflect on this chapter, we offer the same invitation to you:
Come and see.
Come and see what is possible when we believe in better.
Come and see the power of partnership, of listening, of love in action.
Come and see the future we are building - together.