Two men from Hume and Whittlesea who have turned their lives around are now the faces of Yarra Trams on two routes.
Saute Sapoli, from Whittlesea, and Rory Billows, from Hume, are two of four men who have worked with YMCA ReBuild who were selected to have their faces featured on route 48 and 109 trams this summer.
YMCA’s ReBuild is a social enterprise that engages and trains young people within custody before providing them with the support of employment in the commercial arm of the business upon release.
Over the past decade the enterprise has employed over 300 participants and has provided training to more than 100 young people in custody. Less than five per cent of participants have re-offended compared to more than 50 per cent of those who have not engaged with ReBuild, according to the YMCA.
Mr Sapoli, who is now a YMCA ReBuild crew leader, is a mentor for other young men who are in and out of the justice system.
“It feels amazing seeing my face on a tram. I would never have imagined that the decision to work for ReBuild straight after my release from prison would transform my life the way it has. I want to show others what is possible and that there is support,” he said.
YMCA ReBuild executive manager Mick Cronin said each face on the trams represented a story of hope and reslience.
The tram is also promoting the ‘Time to rebuild’ podcast, which is hosted by Mr Cronin and shares the story of Mr Sapoli, Mr Billows and others who have benefited from the Rebuild program.
Yarra Trams chief executive Julien Dehornoy said: “Yarra Trams is proud to support the efforts of YMCA ReBuild though our community partnerships program, and I’m blown away by the incredible work being done by Mick and his team that has helped turn around the lives of hundreds of young offenders.
“I hope this wrapped tram and the podcast it’s promoting will tell our passengers the stories of young people rebuilding their lives with the support of the community and encourage them to get involved.”
