When Chloe joined STEPS in October 2023, she knew from day one that she had found something special.
Now a Participant Support Officer in Cairns, Chloe brings what she calls a “wild and optimistic energy” to everything she does, from supporting participants through their personal and professional goals, to helping them prepare meals for community members affected by the housing crisis.
Her journey is one of global experience, deep cultural respect, and an unwavering belief in people.
From Dubai to Uluru to Cairns
Chloe’s path has taken her around the world, from headhunting executives in Dubai to spending seven years in Uluru, working closely with the Anangu First Nations people as a gallery supervisor.
“That time really shaped me,” she said. “It taught me how to connect through culture and community.”
When she joined STEPS, it all just felt right. “I saw onboarding videos about the ‘why’ behind everything, STEPS Pathways College, and I thought: yes. This is good. This has meaning.”
A safe place to land
At the Cairns site, Chloe can often be found in the kitchen, creating a safe space where participants feel heard and supported.
“No two days are the same,” she said. “One minute I’m helping with transport, the next I’m being a sounding board for creative ideas. A lot of the time, I’m like the office mum.”
Cooking with heart
Since her third day on the job, Chloe has been helping participants cook weekly meals for Rosies – Friends on the Street.
“It’s like those MasterChef mystery boxes,” she laughed. “Donated ingredients come in and we figure out what meals we can make out of them.”
For many participants, the experience is particularly powerful; the chance to give back to the same service that once supported them. Since Chloe’s first week in October 2023, the Cairns STEPS team and participants have prepared almost 9,000 meals for the community.
Because of STEPS…
“Because of STEPS, I’ve become a rockstar Participant Support Officer and official distributor of wild, chaotic, optimistic energy,” Chloe said.
“I’ve seen our participants grow, achieve their goals, and learn to believe in themselves. STEPS has given me a front-row seat to transformation and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
About STEPS Spotlight
STEPS Spotlight is our way of celebrating the incredible people who make up the STEPS team.
Each month, we share the story of a staff member whose passion, dedication and unique journey help shape the heart of our organisation.
Stay tuned for more stories across the STEPS community, or in the meantime, revisit our previous profiles!
