Mission Australia opens new Dareton office

Fifty representatives from local government, business and juvenile justice and health services yesterday joined Mission Australia Community Services staff in celebrating the opening of our new office in Dareton, far western New South Wales.

The new Neilpo Street office will serve as a base for our Brighter Futures and Youth Connections programs, which in recent years have operated in the area on an outreach basis from Broken Hill.

Chelsea Hodge, Acting Services Manager Far Western Community Services, said the new Mission Australia office would provide much-needed support to local young people and families and strengthen community capacity and engagement in the region.

“Local people in the Wentworth Shire deserve full-time support,” she said. “We are lucky to have one of our current Support Workers, Amanda Ferguson, moving from Broken Hill to the Dareton area. Mandy has previously worked in the Broken Hill Brighter Futures team, so she will be an asset to the community.”

The Brighter Futures (Early Intervention) Program is a voluntary targeted program designed for families encountering problems that impact on their ability to care for their children. The program provides families with the necessary support and services to help prevent an escalation of the problems.

Amanda will be joined by a full-time Youth Connections Support Worker in August. Youth Connections supports young people aged from 12 to 19 who are at risk of disengaging, or have who have disengaged, from education, and helped them find alternative means to learn and overcome barriers.

Media Release: Tasmanians invited to the ultimate taste test

Tasmanians are invited to put their tastebuds to the ultimate test, all in the name of raising much needed funds for Mission Australia’s Chigwell House.

Mission Australia is hosting a secret five-course degustation including matched wines, where guests will be asked to guess the key ingredients in each dish as well as the type and origin of each wine.

Mission Australia’s State Director Noel Mundy said the beneficiary of the evening was Chigwell House, which provides a range of community and accommodation services, including low-cost housing for those considered at risk of homelessness.

“Mission Australia’s Centre, Chigwell House provides a range of programs that help clients address personal issues and enable them to secure and maintain stable housing,” Mr Mundy said.

“Programs offered at the Centre include Parents Staying Connected, Integrated Family Support Service, Youth Beat, Youth Connections and a Community Garden.

“Other services offered include a free Child Health Nurse, a volunteer solicitor, Centrelink appointments and cooking lessons for all community members.”

Mr Mundy said the evening’s secret five-course menu was created by renowned Tasmanian chef Paul Foreman,

“Paul will be treating guests to a secret five-course dinner using local and seasonal produce to enliven diners’ senses,” he said.

The Ultimate Taste Test will be held on Wednesday, 25 May at Cooleys Hotel. Tickets are $120 which includes five courses with paired wines.

For more information about the Ultimate Taste Test evening please contact Erica Loring on (03) 6234 3240 or email loringe@missionaustralia.com.au.

Mission Australia acknowledges the generous contribution of Cooleys, Brown Brothers, Bream Creek Vineyard, Treasury Estate and Big Bargain Bottle Shop.

For further information or to organise an interview please contact Lucinda Bray, Font Public Relations, 0438 280 486

Transform a young life this Youth Week

Before Emma* came to Wagga Youth Connections the 20-year-old had spent four years moving from one refuge to another in the hope of finding a stable place to live.

She dreamt of being a police officer and having a place to call home.

Mission Australia staff at Youth Connections helped Emma to find independent accommodation and she happily settled in the area and established a daily routine and emotional stability.

Emma also attended life skills classes to learn how to manage her money as well as master day-to-day tasks like cooking meals, cleaning and working.

The young woman was recently accepted into the NSW police training course. With the support of Youth Connections staff, moved steadily towards her goal – working three part-time jobs, completing her First Aid Certificate and maintaining the fitness level required to join the police force.

Youth Connections is just one of more than 100 youth services Mission Australia provides to help young people overcome their challenges and get back on their feet.

Our range of youth services includes prevention and early intervention, counselling and case management, education and skills development, mentoring, and residential programs. We also offer innovative programs to encourage young people to stay at school as well as take advantage of further education to increase their employment opportunities.

This Youth Week you can help a young person who is battling drug and alcohol addiction, homelessness or other personal challenges to change their life. Show a young Australian you care by donating today.

* Name has been changed to protect the identity of the client.

Mission Australia’s New Year Appeal launched today

At this time of fresh starts, Mission Australia is asking generous people across the nation to help disadvantaged Australians find their way in 2011.

Launched on Friday 7 January, Mission Australia’s New Year Appeal aims to raise funds that will assist people experiencing tough times to find a way out of homelessness and disadvantage.

The New Year Appeal highlights how specific Mission Australia services help people strengthen family relationships, escape homelessness, and prepare youth for a successful transition into adulthood.

The profiled services include Chigwell House, which is a family accommodation and support service centre in Tasmania; Mission Australia’s innovative Nightspot service for young homeless people in south-eastern Queensland; and Youth Connections in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales.

To find out how you can help an Australian in need to find their way in 2011, please visit our New Year Appeal page at www.missionaustralia.com.au/new-year-appeal