When he was 17 Liam Anning's life hung in the balance as he lay on the ground with a Japanese katana sword protruding from his stomach.
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In 2009 Liam was unemployed, homeless and addicted to drugs.
He spent the next two months in hospital.
But now the 23-year-old has come a long way with the help of the Lighthouse Youth Initiative.
Liam is a TAFE student who wants to give something back and is preparing to hop on a bike this Saturday for the seventh annual Ride Around The Lake.
He is doing it in the knowledge that funds raised will help others trapped in a similar plight to what he experienced six years ago.
Liam said it had been a while since he had ridden a bicycle so the 40-kilometre ride around Lake Illawarra would be a good challenge.
But it is one he is prepared to take to help break the cycle of homelessness for other youth.
"If it wasn't for Lighthouse, I don't know where I'd be," he said.
"They have accommodated me, encouraged me, helped me get into TAFE. And also lined up part-time work when it's possible. I was already off the drugs when I arrived but I've even stopped drinking. Now I'm studying to be a youth worker myself. I have definitely changed a lot. I used to have behavioural issues and did a lot of drinking ... and stability was an issue. Now, I am just moving forward in life and they are helping me with a lot of my youth work."
Not everyone has to do the 40-kilometre ride. There is also a 10-kilometre family ride.
Among the volunteers is another young man Liam met through the Lighthouse Youth Initiative.
Jondelar McDonald, 20, is volunteering because he too wants to give something back. Jondelar was homeless and 14 when he became addicted to drugs.
But he found a fresh start at the Lighthouse youth housing facility at Yallah. "This is my first year," he said. "I have heard about this ride before and Lighthouse Youth Initiative has helped me so much," he said.
Lighthouse senior leader Paul Bartlett said it was great to see the two young men doing so well.
Mr Bartlett said everyone deserved a second chance in life and Liam and Jondelar were making the most of their opportunities.
"Lighthouse Youth Initiative isn't just about providing a roof over their heads, it's about a second chance to reposition young lives for a better future," he said.
"Long term we have a plan to build a 32-bed accommodation block. So the money we raise goes towards our capital expenses towards ultimately increasing the size and the amount of young people we can bring in and help."
Lighthouse Youth Initiative helped house and train 36 young people last year.
It also provided 2114 nights' accommodation for young people, in a safe, stable environment.
NBL star Tim Coenraad is one of several Wollongong Hawks players riding around the lake from 7.15 this Saturday morning.
The 10-kilometre ride for families kicks off at 9am.
"This is my third time," Mr Coenraad said. "The Hawks are very much a community team and this is an event that supports the community."
"If you go to www.ridearoundthelake.com.au you can enter online," event co-ordinator Rob Batocchio said. "But you can also turn up at Lakeside Park at Kanahooka on Saturday morning."
