Finding a New Path: Leesha’s Journey of Growth and Change

For Leesha Paru, meaningful change began with a willingness to look inward. Through the Non-Violence Programme, she has gained new insight, strengthened her self-awareness, and taken important steps towards creating a safer, healthier future for her whānau.

Sometimes transformation starts with a single moment of clarity. For Leesha Paru, the Non-Violence Programme provided the space, support, and tools she needed to change her thinking, take ownership of her journey, and create a positive new path forward.

When Leesha first engaged with support services, she was carrying the weight of years of hurt, anger, and disappointment. Like many people facing complex challenges, it was difficult for her to fully understand the role that past experiences and personal choices had played in her circumstances. The pain of having her children placed in care was something she deeply struggled with, and accountability was not always easy to accept.

Over the course of the programme, however, Leesha committed herself to the process. Week by week, she began developing a deeper understanding of herself, her emotions, and the impact her actions had on those around her. Through honest reflection and a willingness to learn, she started to see things from a different perspective.

One of the most powerful moments in Leesha’s journey came when she shared that “something has dropped” in her thinking. She described feeling as though a switch had been turned on, allowing her to view her life, her relationships, and her future with new clarity and purpose.

Today, Leesha speaks openly about the work she has done to heal, meet court requirements, engage with services, and strengthen her connection with her tamariki. She is determined to continue moving forward and has made a firm commitment to never return to the life she once lived.

Leesha’s story is a reminder that positive change is possible when people are supported, challenged, and willing to do the hard work. Her courage, accountability, and dedication to creating a better future for her whānau are an inspiring example of what can be achieved through perseverance and hope.