For the first time in her life, 20-year-old Ann-Marie has a stable home to call her own after years of living in group homes, hostels and even sleeping rough on the streets.

From age five to 15, Ann-Marie, who did not want her surname revealed, stayed in a mix of group homes, hostels and lived on the streets, sometimes sleeping in a derelict house or railway carriages in Midland.

In 2004, the Salvation Army stepped in, providing her with long-term accommodation through its Crossroads West program for homeless youth. Ann-Marie stayed at Landsdale House and Oasis House in Mirrabooka, where she learnt life skills such as cooking and budgeting that she lacked after growing up as a ward of the State.

Ann-Marie is now living independently but still gets support from Crossroads West through its transitional support service or TSS. She said the group had helped her through hard times, including bouts of depression and grief, as well as giving her support to take control of her life.

"Now that I look back (Crossroads West) was a good transition for a young person — going through hard times to moving on to a suitable situation where they can rise above it all. If it wasn't for Landsdale or Oasis or TSS I think I wouldn't be who I am today," she said.

Crossroads West network co-ordinator Yvonne Hunt said the group offered homeless youth more than 10 years of stability, support and education, from Landsdale House at the age of 12 to an independent living program that houses people in their 20s.

She said the program wanted to partner business and expand services for homeless youth.

KATE TARALA