Glebe Assistance and Partnership Program

Glebe Assistance and Partnership Program is based on a partnership model. This means that we aim to empower our clients to make choices that allow them to move beyond their crisis.

Mary (not her real name) first came into our centre feeling as if she had nowhere else to turn. She was very embarrassed about having to seek financial assistance and felt that she had little “dignity left”. Mary had a large electricity bill that she was seeking assistance with, however, at our first meeting Mary expressed that her financial difficulties was only one the many things ‘on her mind’. She said that over the past year she had become increasingly depressed and was feeling “hopeless”, she was finding it difficult to manage financially on her Centrelink payments and was drinking alcohol “more and more to cope”.

In her first appointment it was explained to Mary how GAPP works. The partnership aspect was also explained and she said that she really wanted to find a job and work in a partnership with us to help achieve this. Mary was given assistance with her electricity bill and after a discussion about her living arrangements; we filled out an application form for the Department of Housing, and proceeded to write a budget together. Mary agreed not to drink until she came back for her appointment the following week.

During her second appointment Mary said that she was not confident about “how to get a part-time job”. We talked about the type of work she would like to do and wrote a Resume for her to forward to a number of prospective businesses in the industry of her interest.

At our third and final appointment, Mary had a job interview for two days later. Mary had also received confirmation that she was on the Department of Housing’s waiting list for priority housing. Mary also said that she had only “had two glasses of wine” on Friday night and felt “totally in control of her drinking”. She said that she no longer felt depressed; however, she was very nervous about her interview as she felt that she did not “interview well”. We practiced some interview skills together and she left feeling very excited.

The next week Mary dropped by the centre to say that she had a part time job and was totally “on-top of my finances”. She said that she felt the best she had in ages and felt ‘capable’ for the first time in years.

Riverwood Lunch & Leisure Club

In reporting back to us for the 2009 year the Coordinator advises us that the group continues to function well and to operate in the way it was originally set up. The target group are those people living in the Riverwood and the surrounding area who live with a mental illness and who would benefit from social contact. The group’s primary purpose is to provide an accepting, safe, friendly, non-judgemental environment where group members are able to socialise, access community resources and enjoy an inexpensive meal with tea and coffee.
The group has continued to access the church bus, and with the support of our volunteer drivers, we are able to use it for outings and our monthly picnic/BBQ. Our program includes train trips, ferry trips, walks, game days, craft, cooking demos, guest speakers, movie days and celebrations of Birthdays, festivals and special events. In this way we propose to help individuals expand their world-view, gain access to community resources, and facilitate a much needed social support network all in a safe and harmonious environment.

CCDP has been funding this project for a number of years.

Peter Singer - Whose Song Sheet Is He Singing From?

David Mansfield was the speaker at our second breakfast meeting on 9 March 2010 and spoke on Peter Singer’s latest book “The Life You Can Save”. David began his talk with three questions: Who Is Peter Singer? What Does He Believe And Teach? and Why Bother With Him? The rest of his talk was addressing these issues and ended up saying “For very different reasons and from a very different songbook, we may find ourselves singing the same song as Peter Singer in saying that 24,000 children dying from preventable causes is a social evil we just cannot turn a blind eye to anymore.”

If you are interested in receiving a copy of David’s talk please email enquiries@abau.org.au.

The next breakfast meeting is on 23 March 2010 at St Andrew’s House and the speaker is Alfred Olwa, Dean of the School of Theology and Divinity at the Ugandan Christian University. His topic is Islam or Christianity, the Battle for Ugandan Hearts and Minds. RSVP by 19 March on enquiries@abau.org.au.

Relocation to the City

Our team has now relocated to St Andrew’s House in the city. Our new address is: PO Box Q190, QVB Post Office NSW 1230 and the new telephone number is 9284 1406. The email address stays the same.

Wishing a Joyful 2010

As the new year starts we have a moment to pause and reflect on what the last year has been. Like most years 2009 has had its ups and downs. On the up side David was appointed as Director and has been able to visit many Anglican parishes to talk about our work. On the down side our donations have dropped which means that we are not be able to fund as many activities as we would like. 2010 will be another interesting year full of challenges as well as opportunities. We are pleased that Bettina will be joining us as our Donor Relations Officer and it is likely that we will be moving into St Andrew’s House in the centre of Sydney. All positive!

From the staff (Suzanne, David, Joanna and Bettina) we wish all our supporters a joyful New Year.

Glenquarie Anglican - Break the Cycle No Interest Loan Scheme Inc

The aim of No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS) is to provide people living on low incomes in Macquarie Fields and Glenfield with access to affordable credit to purchase whitegoods, selected health appliances, and other items that are essential to quality of life. Car registration and Greenslips are also assisted within the greater Macarthur area as we are the only NILS in this area with permission to loan for these items.

The main sources of funds for the loans are from the National Australia Bank via accreditation with the Good Shepherd and the National NILS network. These funds are recycled as the loans are repaid.

Glenquarie Anglican - Break the Cycle

Break the Cycle Program is about providing effective assistance to people who are in crisis, need or hardship, irrespective of their ethnicity and religious beliefs or any other distinction, within a caring and supportive environment that fosters a sense of self-reliance and reflects the love of Jesus Christ and the doctrine of the Anglican Church.

Assistance provided includes:

· food hampers, gift vouchers, non-perishable food items and items for personal needs;
· vouchers for meat and pharmacy items;
· assistance with utility bills;
· information and referrals to other Agencies and Services; and
· a place where people will be heard and know that someone cares.

CCDP has been contributing to this program for a number of years.