At just 13 years old, Jordan Carlin spent Christmas Day in a juvenile detention center. He recalls it as a low point in his life, yet he found unexpected joy in receiving simple gifts like socks and candy. "It was wild getting socks and lollies for Christmas… who knew that a pair of socks would make your day?" he said. "I remember thinking, I don't get shit on the outside." Carlin's childhood was tumultuous, marked by frequent moves between foster homes. By the time he turned 18, he had already served multiple sentences in juvenile facilities. At 19, he transitioned to adult jail. His life took a positive turn when he met Dominic Brook, the founder of the charity Musicians Making a Difference, while staying at a homeless refuge on the New South Wales Central Coast. Brook sponsored Carlin to complete a Diploma in Music and became a personal mentor. "Someone believed in me when I was in a pretty hard situation and gave me a guitar, paid for me to go to a songwriting camp," Brook said. "Every young person deserves someone who believes in them." Brook later developed Futures Radio, a 24/7 station broadcasting into the Cobham Juvenile Justice Centre in Western Sydney. He recognized a lack of positive media for the boys in the system. "I realized that these boys don't have a lot of positive media… it was normal TV, a lot of crime shows," he said. He recalled a moment when a boy told him, "You know, in here I've learnt to become a better criminal." This prompted Brook to rethink how to use the time spent in detention to foster a better future for the youth. Futures Radio features a variety of programs, including self-improvement sessions, storytelling, journaling, and music. Some segments provide guidance on what to do in the first 72 hours after release. The station is exclusively available inside the juvenile justice system, broadcasting continuously at Cobham, with plans to expand to other facilities in New South Wales. The detainees play a significant role in selecting the content. "The boys at the moment at Cobham like drill music, Afro-beats as well, and R&B hip hop," Brook noted. He aims to balance engaging music with meaningful content. "If they can hear the stories that move them and understand that they have a future and start looking away from their past… we can create safer communities," Brook added. Carlin, once a mentee, has now taken on the role of mentor through Futures Radio. He shares his story to inspire others. "I've been on a fair few of the episodes, but on the very first one, I explained my story and where I come from and the challenges I've had… grew up as a kid in foster care, that sort of stuff," he said. His experience resonates with the young detainees. "To be a young person in the role of a mentor for these young people does wonders. They listen, they respect what you say, because I've been there, done that," Carlin explained. One unidentified detainee expressed gratitude for the program, stating, "This radio show… it's a gift to all the boys in here. A lot of the boys just need someone who understands them… someone who's been in their shoes." This teenager is among five inmates at Cobham receiving intensive mentoring and training in radio presenting and production. He is eager to share his journey with others. "I just want to show that I can overcome challenges and I want to show that they can do that as well and just become the best people they can be," he said.