Australian Motivational Speaker, Luke S. Kennedy, presented at The Parliament House, Sydney.

 

Well this was something I never thought would happen. I stood inside The Parliament House as a special guest, motivational speaker!

 

I caught the train to Martin Place station and walked up to the location. I stood outside The Parliament House and smiled. Light rain was dropping but I just had to take a few moments. 

 

Eight year's earlier I walked past The Parliament House most nights on a drug and alcohol fuelled binge. I even had two street fights on the sidewalk right outside.

 

This time I'm here as a speaker, and mental health advocate. My passion has turned into helping people out of mental health issues, and into a life of fulfilment.

 

Life is a trip.

 

The talk was for the program, LEAP. The LEAP (Local Educational Assistance Program), is a joint initiative between Family and Community Services (FACS) and the Sydney-based charity, Youth Off The Streets. I have worked closely with Youth off the streets, Key College. I have spoken at their college a few times and they visit our gym once a week to train, hangout and chat.

 

The two organisations, Family and Community Services & Youth off the Streets, provide support for kids at risk of homelessness, living in crisis accommodation or out-of-home foster care, and in public housing estates. Growing up in public housing myself, I loved that I was invited to come and speak to this incredible bunch of students.

 

People have asked if I was nervous speaking at The Parliament House. To be honest, I wasn't. It wasn't about me. It wasn't about the history of the location. It was about anyone else in that audience besides those young people looking for a touch of motivation. I addressed every sentence to them as though we were alone having a chat. I saw a spark in their eyes. I know these young adults are going somewhere in life. I spoke to a couple of students after my talk and was impressed with how confident they were.

 

It was a pleasure to have spoke at The Parliament House, but even better to have spent some time with our youth.

 

I love what I do.