NAIDOC Week at the MAC

Community and unity were at the core of this year’s NAIDOC Week celebrations at Sydney’s MAC, writes the centre’s Aboriginal Community Development Worker Barry Duncan.

Kangaroo, crocodile and emu were on the menu while Aboriginal musicians Tim Gray and Vince and Michael West entertained 80 NAIDOC Week guests in glorious sunshine on the Mission Australia Centre (MAC) forecourt.

Robert ‘Sonny’ Edwards set the tone for the day when he welcomed participants to the lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation and trusted they would enjoy themselves and help in celebrating a diverse and beautiful culture.

Sonny then called on Mission Australia Operations Manager Lesley Butt to help him launch the celebrations by raising the Aboriginal Flag, which represents strength and unity to so many Aboriginal people and communities.

Mission Australia Centre Manager Diana Jazic reiterated Sonny's sentiment along with acknowledging visitors and staff contributions to the day. She said she hoped everyone would enjoy themselves and, in particular, view the amazing artwork of James Simon, an Indigenous artist from Redfern who uses a vibrant and visually stunning technique.

A traditional smoking ceremony led into dance performances by Terry Olson, one of the state’s most sought-after performers.

But more was to come when former MAC resident Tim Gray delighted the captive audience with some of the skills he acquired while studying an Advanced Diploma in music at Eora College, Redfern.

“If it had not been for this centre and its supportive staff I would still be walking the road of aimlessness and homelessness,” Tim said.

Tim has become one of many Indigenous success stories to emerge from one of many Mission Australia programs.

Koori Radio Station 93.7 Live and Deadly also conducted interviews on the day, with guests including Missionbeat Service Manager Daniel Petsalis, who praised the service’s Indigenous staff member Albert Torrens.

But the true highlight of the day was a superb bushtucker feed of kangaroo, emu and crocodile prepared by staff and visitors. It was heartily consumed by all, with many coming back for seconds, thirds and even fourths. Not bad considering it was the first taste of these delicacies for some.

Mums staying connected at Chigwell House

With Mother’s Day coming up, we’d like to share some wonderful feedback we received from Amelia*, one of the mums who benefited from our Parents Staying Connected Program at Mission Australia Centre Chigwell House in Hobart.

The program is one of many offered at Chigwell House to help people address personal issues and secure and maintain stable housing. Parents Staying Connected provides opportunities for families to access ongoing learning and play sessions, create links to education and parenting support, attend social events, increase confidence and work in a community garden. It’s designed to help families to work toward brighter futures for themselves and their children.

Amelia is a 22-year-old single mum of two children under five who has turned her life around thanks to the Parents Staying Connected program. Here she kindly shares her experiences about the support she received at Mission Australia Centre Chigwell House:

“When I went into the Parents Staying Connected Program I was scared how people would treat me, look at me, think of me! My confidence was very low as I have just come out of a difficult relationship and living from place to place. My two children are very clingy and won’t leave my side, but when I walked into Parents Staying Connected at Chigwell House we were very welcomed!

“I sort of didn’t know how to approach people and what to say. I was very nervous about meeting new people as I thought everyone there had normal relationships, a house and everything was sweet. I felt so alone and depressed. I remember just saying to myself ‘just open up and be me’, so I did and I got along with everyone. The kids and I played and laughed and I had a really good time.

“Staff made me feel like I had always been a part of the group and I chatted with other mums about everyday things and the time flew by. I was really wrapped in myself and the kids. My son kept on asking me ‘Mummy, when’s playgroup? Can we go now?’ That made me smile as he was never like that before.

“It was also great to see some friends I went to school with there. As time went by I got some really close friends now who have been through the same as what I went through. I finally wasn’t going through it on my own.

“My children are now starting to go and play with other children - they wouldn’t do that before. I was so wrapped when I heard I could do a first aid and Save a Mate course there, so I can further my skills and my children could come with me. I have now done these and I’m really happy where I am at. I have now got a house, my kids are happy and we look forward to going to Parents Staying Connected every week.

“It’s now just over a year since I started coming to Parents Staying Connected, staff from Mission Australia have helped me put my children into day care so I can study community services. My aim is to work with the youth. My children are happy, my depression and anxiety are up and down but under control as I’m building my future.

“I feel that I have came along way since starting Parents Staying Connected and I hope my future goals come together and my confidence builds stronger every day.”

You can help build brighter futures

On 25 May Mission Australia is hosting The Ultimate Taste Test at Cooleys Hotel, Moonah, to raise funds for Mission Australia Centre Chigwell House and support more families like Amelia’s. Guests at this secret five-course degustation will be asked to guess the key ingredients in each dish and the type and origin of each matching wine. Tickets are $120, including five courses with paired wines. For more details or to book call Erica Loring on (03) 6234 3240 or email loringe@missionaustralia.com.au.

You can also assist Mission Australia to help more families and children to get their lives on track by making a donation to our Winter Appeal.

*Name has been changed

AGL volunteers lend a hand at MAC Christmas party

Clients of the Mission Australia Centre (MAC) in Surry Hills have enjoyed a Christmas party complete with a traditional hot lunch and karaoke thanks to volunteers from AGL.

Thirteen volunteers from AGL organised and served food, welcomed guests and entertained the crowd with a carol. One really got into the spirit by donning a red suit and beard to hand out lollies and offer photos with Santa.

This is the eighth year that AGL has funded, organised and staffed the MAC Client Christmas Party.

After being welcomed by Mission Australia Chief Operating Officer, Leisa Hart, and joining in prayer with Meffan Kaiwai, MAC Team Leader, guests tucked into turkey and pudding.

One MAC resident who has turned his life around at centre said that this Christmas would be one to remember for all the right reasons: “Coming here has really picked me up. It’s a special Christmas, and a sober Christmas… The meditation classes here [at the MAC] have been unbelievable and have helped me to change and see the world differently.”

Another guest, who attends the innovative Catalyst Clemente educational program at the MAC, thanked the centre’s staff for their dedication and care: “We couldn’t love it any better!”

The Mission Australia Centre provides crisis accommodation for homeless men and “wrap-around” programs and services for men and women that address issues such as health, literacy, and self-esteem.

Further Reading... 

• Christmas cheer at the Mission Australia Centre - 29 December 2009
• AGL and Mission Australia brighten the day for struggling families  - 16 Dec 2008
• Mission Australia helping families cut energy bills to prevent poverty spiral   - 15 Oct 2008

Mission Australia and Westpac tackle family homelessness together

Mission Australia and the Westpac Group yesterday have launched a long-term partnership aimed at addressing family homelessness over the next decade.

Families make up a quarter of all homeless people (105,000 homeless Australians on any one night) and up to 80 per cent of homeless families seeking crisis accommodation are turned away from government-funded homeless services.

The partnership was officially launched yesterday at the Mission Australia Centre in Sydney’s Surry Hills, with Mission Australia Chairman Ewen Crouch and CEO Toby Hall; Westpac’s Peter Hanlon, Group Executive, People and Transformation, and the Hon Tanya Plibersek, Federal Minister for Social Inclusion and Human Services in attendance.

They were joined by representatives from Housing NSW, MA Housing as well as Mission Australia and Westpac staff.

In the first stage of the partnership Westpac has agreed to provide $1 million over three years to Mission Australia for specific projects to address homelessness. Westpac and Mission Australia will also work together to launch a social innovation fund, targeting capital funds to be used to develop more affordable housing nationally.

Mr Hall, said the partnership was unique in Australia and displayed a shared commitment between the two organisations to tackling one of the nation’s major social problems.

He said addressing family homelessness required a three-pronged approach - prevention strategies to “turn off the tap” to homelessness; the provision of crisis accommodation services like the Mission Australia Centre to give longer-term support and offer breathing space, and the delivering of more affordable housing .

“Australia’s lack of affordable housing is one of the most significant factors influencing family homelessness,” Mr Hall said.

“Westpac’s support for this partnership will make a huge difference to our work and in the lives of countless homeless families – and those at risk of homelessness – now and in the years to come.”

At yesterday’s launch Mr Hanlon said Westpac was proud of its century-long association with Mission Australia and was committed to addressing homelessness, which is “not just about shelter – it’s also about self-esteem and inclusion”.

Above photo from left: Ewen Crouch, Mission Australia Chairman; The Hon Tanya Plibersek, Federal Minister for Social Inclusion and Human Services; Toby Hall, Mission Australia CEO; and Peter Hanlon, Group Executive, People and Transformation, Westpac.

NRL’s Sydney Roosters visit Mission Australia Centre

Yesterday thirty-five Sydney Roosters players visited the Mission Australia Centre in Surry Hills.

The event marked the beginning of an exciting new partnership between Mission Australia and the renowned eastern suburbs rugby league team.

As part of their Community Engagement Program, Sydney Roosters players will volunteer, mentor and visit some of our community services in the inner city/eastern suburbs area.

This will contribute to their broader program which encourages players to take responsibility for being active in the community in addition to their playing commitments.

Christmas cheer at the Mission Australia Centre

Thanks to the spectacular efforts of AGL volunteers, the Mission Australia Centre (MAC) celebrated Christmas this year with a wonderful gourmet lunch.

Mission Australia CEO, Toby Hall, and AGL CEO, Michael Fraser, helped volunteers serve the Christmas lunch last week and spent time chatting with many of the homeless men and women who have accessed the MAC throughout 2009.

"Never a dull moment," said Astra Howard MAC Program Coordinator. "Our guests had a fantastic time thanks to all the hard work of event organisers and talented entertainers: Frederick Hama, Chris Barwick, Phil Nunn and Meffan Kawai."

One client said: “I had a great time at the MAC Christmas party enjoying a lovely Christmas lunch and trivia quiz. Our table came second - the winners were googling on a blackberry! Afterwards , various members of the MAC creative classes had a lot of fun singing and dancing at the karaoke machine for a couple of hours. I'm not a singer, but I had a go at 'House of the Rising Sun'.”

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AGL partnered with Mission Australia in 2003 with the provision of energy audits for the refurbishment of the Mission Australia Centre. The partnership has since grown substantially.

Through AGL’s volunteering program, employees have provided tremendous support to Mission Australia’s homeless services in Sydney and Adelaide for the past four years.

In late 2006, the partnership reached a new strategic high with a significant financial contribution from the AGL Foundation of over $750,000. The funds are being used to make a long-term difference to homelessness and climate change.

The support from AGL reflects its broader commitment to energy efficiency in the community, particularly for Australia’s most vulnerable people.

Further Reading...

• AGL and Mission Australia brighten the day for struggling families - 16 Dec 2008
• Mission Australia helping families cut energy bills to prevent poverty spiral - 15 Oct 2008
  

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Early Christmas cheer for Sydney's homeless community

Christmas will arrive a little earlier for around 100 homeless and disadvantaged Sydneysiders this year when AGL throws its annual Christmas lunch at the Mission Australia Centre today.

Volunteers from AGL – including CEO, Michael Fraser – will put on a well-deserved Christmas lunch with all the trimmings for those doing it tough living in Sydney’s inner city. From catering through to gifts, and even providing the entertainment, AGL volunteers will unleash their Christmas cheer to celebrate the festive season.

With the event now in its seventh year Michael Fraser said AGL and its staff were committed to making a difference in disadvantaged communities using a combination of their expertise and enthusiasm.

“It’s been a tough year but none more so for the individuals who’ll be sharing this Christmas event with us. It’s one of the high points of our year to spend time at the Mission Australia Centre and it brings home the real meaning of Christmas to everyone involved,” he said.

“AGL is a close partner of Mission Australia’s and we sincerely welcome the commitment and contribution of its staff,” said Mission Australia’s CEO, Toby Hall.

“This is a great example of the way corporates can help strengthen communities.”

The first service of its kind built in Australia, the Mission Australia Centre (MAC) moves beyond traditional crisis accommodation to meet the needs of a new generation of homeless people.

Rather than the short-term and 'one-size fits all' approach often associated with crisis shelters, the MAC specialises its care, encourages independent living, allows clients stays of up to three months and offers a range of services (eg: dental, GP, education, computer skills, counselling, employment) to help people back on their feet long-term.

David Malouf visits Mission Australia Centre

Author David Malouf at the
Mission Australia Centre, Surry Hills

One of Australia's greatest authors, David Malouf, visited the Mission Australia Centre in Sydney's Surry Hills yesterday to take part in a groundbreaking program which offers university-accredited study to support and inspire disadvantaged and marginalised people.

The Catalyst-Clemente program is a joint initiative between the Australian Catholic University (ACU) and Mission Australia and uses the Arts and Humanities - eg: literature, drama - to build participants' self-esteem, create a feeling of community engagement and develop new possibilities for the future.

The visit - which had been kindly arranged the Australian Catholic University - coincided with the current Catalyst intake's study of one of Mr Malouf's best known novels, the Booker Prize-shortlisted, Remembering Babylon.

Class members had the unique opportunity to ask Mr Malouf a range of questions related to the novel and it's structure, formation of characters and writing style.

Catalyst-Clemente is based on the belief that poverty is more than just exclusion from material goods - it's also about social exclusion.

Accordingly, the way out of poverty is about giving people access to more than just a wage or vocational training, it's also about engaging them in activities that lead to social interaction, learning and community participation.

Since beginning in 2003, Catalyst-Clemente is now offered in Sydney, Brisbane and Canberra, Perth, Melbourne and with Adelaide soon to follow.

MAC hosts community and government leaders to launch new report

Mission Australia's latest report An icon for exit: The Mission Australia Centre 2005-2008 was launched yesterday by the Hon. Tanya Plibersek, Federal Minister for Housing , at the Mission Australia Centre (MAC) in Sydney's inner-city suburb of Surry Hills.

A s the name suggests, An icon for exit provides a detailed review of the 'all-round' programs run through MAC from 2005-2008.

The event featured a key speech from a MAC client, who provided insight into the practical needs of those trying to overcome crisis. He noted that it was MAC's ability to provide a range of diverse services "under the same roof" that enabled him to transform his life.

The event's speakers reinforced the need for modern service providers to facilitate 'all-round' services - a wide array of services is required by those seeking a sustainable solution to their crisis, such as employment services, medical and dental support, legal support, educational services, financial literacy training and conflict resolution.

Senator Mark Arbib, Federal Minister for Employment Participation, also attended to officially launch Mission Australia Employment Solutions , which facilitates the Federal Government's Job Services Australia program.

Download a free copy of An icon for exit: The Mission Australia Centre 2005-2008

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Further reading

Sydney Morning Herald ran a story today about the journey of two MAC clients, read on at the Fairfax website

Key facts from the report:

• Clients achieved 80% of their goals compared to 42% at the crisis shelter the MAC replaced (an important part of working with homeless clients is to set a goal, eg: to find independent accommodation, to beat drug addiction, etc, and work towards achieving it).
• Of clients leaving the MAC there was a 10% decline in people returning to the streets and a 6% increase in those living in a house or flat. Studies show that of men leaving traditional crisis accommodation, around 18% simply move to another short-term shelter while almost 45% return to living on the streets or squat.
• Following their time at MAC, there was a significant decline in the proportion of clients reliant on the Newstart Allowance - 58% down to 48% - and an increase in the proportion whose income came from wages/salary - from 7% to 14%.
• 48% of MAC clients weren't in the labour force before coming to the service, after leaving the centre this dropped to 36%.
• Clients stay at the MAC for an average 68 days compared to the 1-3 days at the previous service. Longer stays mean better results.
• MAC provides its full range of supports for only $154 a day per person. This is a significantly lower cost per day than providing a bed in another institutional setting (eg: hospital $600/pd or jail $200/pd).

New report shows groundbreaking homeless service is a success

A report into a groundbreaking Sydney homeless service shows it has delivered improved accommodation, employment and goal-achievement outcomes, a reduction in the need for income support and all at a significantly lower cost per day than providing a bed in another institutional setting (eg: hospital or jail).

The Icon for Exit report - an analysis of the outcomes of the Mission Australia Centre (MAC) in Sydney's Surry Hills since it first opened in July 2005 - will be launched by Tanya Plibersek, Federal Minister for Housing, and Senator Mark Arbib, Federal Minister for Employment Participation at the centre (cnr Campbell and Denham Sts, Surry Hills) at 11.30am, Monday 2 November.

The first service of its kind built in Australia, the MAC moves beyond traditional crisis accommodation to meet the needs of a new generation of homeless people.

Rather than the short-term and 'one-size fits all' approach often associated with crisis shelters, the MAC specialises its care, encourages independent living, allows clients stays of up to three months and offers a range of services (eg: dental, GP, education, computer skills, counselling, employment) to help people back on their feet long-term.

According to the report - which covers the period 2005-08 - the MAC's results include:

• Clients achieved 80% of their goals compared to 42% at the crisis shelter the MAC replaced (an important part of working with homeless clients is to set a goal, eg: to find independent accommodation, to beat drug addiction, etc, and work towards achieving it).
• Of clients leaving the MAC there was a 10% decline in people returning to the streets and a 6% increase in those living in a house or flat. Studies show that of men leaving traditional crisis accommodation, around 18% simply move to another short-term shelter while almost 45% return to living on the streets or squat.
• Following their time at MAC, there was a significant decline in the proportion of clients reliant on the Newstart Allowance - 58% down to 48% - and an increase in the proportion whose income came from wages/salary - from 7% to 14%.
• 48% of MAC clients weren't in the labour force before coming to the service, after leaving the centre this dropped to 36%.
• Clients stay at the MAC for an average 68 days compared to the 1-3 days at the previous service. Longer stays mean better results.
• MAC provides its full range of supports for only $154 a day per person. This is a significantly lower cost per day than providing a bed in another institutional setting (eg: hospital $600/pd or jail $200/pd).

Mission Australia's CEO, Toby Hall, said the MAC's results provided governments and other agencies with a successful model for developing future homeless services.

"When we built the MAC in 2005 we based our plans on our own experiences, research among other agencies and what we saw working overseas - this service really was a first for this country," said Mr Hall.

"Now we have the results that show the MAC approach works. Yes, we still have much to do and there are challenges ahead, but the move towards more tailored and long-term support that encourages independent living is the way to get homeless people back on their feet.

"Importantly the MAC has developed into a community hub providing a large range of services - not only to its residents, but the entire inner city community.

"The MAC's success has only been possible through collaboration - between us, the three levels of government, our peer organisations, and the generous support of individual and corporate partners.

"The most exciting thing about these results is that they come at a time when both the Federal and NSW State Governments are considering their respective plans for tackling homelessness.

"We hope they both examine these findings and use the MAC's experiences to plan the next generation of homeless services," said Mr Hall.

The Federal Minister for Housing, Tanya Plibersek, said the MAC - which she has visited several times as it is located in her electorate of Sydney - was setting a high standard for future service delivery.

"The Rudd Government's White Paper on Homelessness identifies the need for early intervention, targeted support and wrap-around services to help break the cycle of homelessness," Ms Plibersek said. 

"These types of services are exactly what we need if we are going to meet our ambitious goal to halve homelessness by 2020."

Celebrating an exceptional Volunteer - from the COMPASS Relapse Prevention Program

Mandy Smith is a volunteer and co-facilitator of our COMPASS (Relapse Prevention Program) at the Mission Australia Centre in Surry Hills.

Mandy graduated with a Diploma of Counselling and Psychotherapy, and now utilises her skills to share her expertise and experience to help improve the lives of our clients. She helps clients stay off drugs by providing strategies to steer away from triggers and old habits, while building greater self awareness and self-confidence.

Mandy finds inspiration in her COMPASS program clients - and sees their honesty, determination, strength and hope as "an inspiring gift".

Mandy commends the staff at the Mission Australia Centre for the proactive, professional and friendly environment they provide for her and her clients.

While Mandy values the contributions of her clients as a "gift", Mandy herself is a truly dedicated and inspiring volunteer for the COMPASS program and Mission Australia.

Thank you Mandy!