Rugby heroes to join MA staff at Brisbane Winter Sleepout

Queensland Reds and Wallabies players Radike Samo and twins Saia and Anthony Faingaa will tonight join a group of Mission Australia staff from the Brisbane South Employment Solutions team sleeping rough to raise money for our homeless services.

Mission Australia’s Elia Tuqiri said staff taking part in the Sleepout at Citipoint Church are aiming to raise up to $10,000 to help people experiencing homelessness.

“In my job I meet a lot of people who are desperately looking for work as they are at risk of losing their home, or worse, are already homeless,” Elia said.

“In many cases, it’s not just individuals who are homeless, but families with young children without a stable home. Many are couch-surfing at friends’ places or sleeping in their car, because they haven’t got a place of their own. In the toughest cases they are sleeping rough in our community.

“I often think of myself as very lucky to have stable full time employment and the ability to pay my rent, have food on the table and a safe place to shower and sleep.

“Sometimes we take these things for granted – and that is why we have organised this Winter Sleepout to build awareness and raise important funding for Mission Australia’s homeless services.”

Former Reds player, Charlie Fetoai will also share how he turned his life around after suffering a serious spinal injury that brought his Rugby Union career to an end.

Charlie now works as a Mission Australia Indigenous Employment program mentor, helping young Indigenous men and women to overcome challenges in their own lives and get the training and support they need to find work.

“When I suffered a serious spinal injury on the field, I went from the highest point in my life – doing what I loved, playing professional rugby – to the lowest point, where I was terrified I might not walk again,” Charlie said.

“It was through self belief, staying positive and the support of my family, friends and team mates that I was able to recover and walk again. The experience completely changed my outlook on life, and has motivated me to help others who are struggling with barriers in their lives that are holding them back.

“The Winter Sleepout is a great cause, aimed at helping people out there who are struggling with circumstances hard for any of us to imagine – and that is why I am pleased to be a part of this event.”

There will be performances by school and dance groups from 6:30pm and the players will be signing autographs from 6pm.

Meanwhile on the Gold Coast, more than 30 staff from Mission Australia’s Employment Solutions offices and the crew from Southport Rotaract Club offices will brave the winter tonight to raise money for the homeless.

Good luck to all everyone camping out tonight for Winter Sleepout to help us reach our $250,000 fundraising target. To find out more about Winter Sleepout or to make a donation, visit: www.wintersleepout.com.au

Thanks to our City2Surfers for going the distance
Huge thanks to the 150 people who ran, walked and even skipped the 14km in last weekend’s Sun-Herald City2Surf in support of Mission Australia. There was a blur of red and white singlets in almost every category of the event, from the speedy runners to the walkers.

A few even ran the whole distance in their PJs, in support of our Winter Sleepout. Along the way hundreds of well-wishers, including Senator Mark Arbib and NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell, offered their support.

Of all our fundraising supporters, first-time City2Surfer Sook Smith outdid herself, raising over $9,000 for our services and sitting at number eight in the overall top ten individual fundraiser ladder for the event.

She joined Mission Australia staff, supporters and members of Team MA, made up of clients of our homeless services, at a post-race barbecue in North Bondi.

All those weeks of training with the Sydney Roosters paid off for Team MA, with all members crossing the finishing line. Among them was Wayne Richards, who has taken part in every City2Surf since 1974.

In the lead-up to the City2Surf, Wayne attended every training session with players Ethan Lowe, Cheyse Blair, Lama Tasi and Boyd Cordner.

Thanks to Wayne, his team mates, all our fundraisers and their supporters for playing your part in this fabulous community event. Your efforts have raised a much-needed $20,000 for Mission Australia’s support services.

Media Release: Local Mission Australia staff sleep out to help the homeless

More than thirty staff from Mission Australia’s Employment Solutions offices on the Gold Coast & the crew from Southport Rotaract Club offices will brave the winter cold tonight, in an effort to raise money for the not-for-profit’s homeless services.

The driving force behind the local event – Crystal Jousovec from Mission Australia’s Employment Solutions office in Palm Beach – said she decided to organise a Winter Sleepout because she wanted to help people less fortunate than herself.

“In my job I meet a lot of people who are desperately looking for work as they are at risk of losing their home, or worse, are already homeless,” Crystal said.

“In many cases, it’s not just individuals who are homeless, but families with young children without a stable home.

“Many are couch-surfing at friend’s places or sleeping in their car, because they haven’t got a place of their own. In the toughest cases they are sleeping rough in our community.

“I have experienced homelessness personally myself in a brief moment over a year ago.

“I have a young daughter and I understand the despair of not having anywhere to live. Luckily I had the support of my friends and work mates to help bring me through homelessness and I now have my own unit which I pay rent for.

“I often think of myself as very lucky to have stable full time employment and the ability to pay my rent, have food on the table and a safe place to shower and sleep.

“Sometimes we take these things for granted – and that is why I wanted to organise a Winter Sleepout to build awareness and raise important funding for Mission Australia’s homeless services.”

The Winter Sleepout is being held at Southport Rotaract Youth Club, Lawson Street Southport, tonight from 7pm, with the group aiming to raise $1000 or more.

Raffles will be held on the night, with Jupiters Casino donating one night’s accommodation in a superior room for two adults, including buffet breakfast; and local beauty company True Beauty Revealed donating vouchers for facials and massages at their salon.

Mission Australia’s Winter Sleepout, which was first held in 1988 in Sydney’s Martin Place, is about raising both awareness and funds for Mission Australia’s more than 100 services for homeless people nationally.

Last year, Mission Australia assisted close to 30,000 people who were homeless or at risk of homelessness.

This year’s Winter Sleepout fundraising target is $250,000. With your participation, we can reach this target and help transform the lives of more homeless Australians in 2011.

To find out more about Winter Sleepout or to register, visit: www.wintersleepout.com.au

For more information on tonight’s event at Southport contact (07) 5559 6200

Media Contact: Nicola Hazell (07) 3394 8114 or 0467 783 421

Above photo: The team from Employment Solutions Palm Beach in preparation for their sleepout

Media coverage - The Drum: Kids in limbo, Australia's growing reliance on juvenile remand

Throughout Australian jurisdictions detention is considered an option of last resort in combating juvenile offending, with custodial sentences imposed only when other diversionary measures have failed, writes Daniel Feher.

“Despite this principle, the number of youths remanded in detention has nearly tripled since 1981, with 60 per cent of young people in Australian detention centres held without sentencing. This figure points to a need for better youth justice programs to keep kids out of lockup, and underlines the greater problem of how to combat chronic juvenile offending by at-risk youths…

“With research condemning juvenile incarceration, and the costs involved becoming increasingly difficult to justify, it is not surprising that findings from government and community welfare organisations are calling for a shift towards intensive support programs instead. The South Australian Social Inclusion Unit's To Break The Cycle report and Mission Australia's publication Juvenile Justice Snapshot are just two of many recent calls for action.

“They recommend empowering at-risk youths with a sense of control over their lives and minimising the time they spend in custody, with the findings stimulating a range of community, government and non-government initiatives across Australia in dealing with the issue, many of which are reporting high success rates.

Read more at The Drum

Call to protect vulnerable boarding house residents

A report by the NSW Ombudsman Bruce Barbour has revealed vulnerable residents in State Government-licensed boarding houses suffer abuse by staff and other residents and are denied basic rights such as access to money, family and phones.

'More than board and lodging: the need for boarding house reform', tabled in NSW Parliament yesterday, shows the level of care for boarding house residents is inferior to that received by people in housing run or funded by the government.

It calls for reforms to improve boarding house standards, monitoring and enforcement, as well as legislative change to protect residents' rights.

“What is evident from our work,” says the report, “is that there are fundamental flaws and inadequacies in the existing legislation and requirements for licensed boarding houses, and that these problems can adversely affect the safety, health, welfare and rights of residents.

“Concurrently, the capacity of licensed boarding houses is declining, and there are concerns that vulnerable people are entering unlicensed boarding houses, where there are fewer safeguards and no regulations.”

According to the report, there are an estimated 455 boarding houses in New South Wales, accommodating over 5,000 residents. Of these, 31 are licensed boarding houses, with capacity to accommodate 687 people.

Residents are typically reliant on income support, and pay between 75 and 100 percent of their benefits to the boarding house for accommodation, food, and consumables such as toiletries and cigarettes.

A familiar story
Mission Australia caseworkers from our Rawson Project, which provides support to people at risk of homelessness in Sydney’s inner-west, are all too familiar with the hardships vulnerable boarding house residents experience. One is currently helping a boarding house resident to find long-term accommodation and leave the $155-a-week room in Croydon that requires them to share a bathroom with 20 others.

This person lived in private rental properties for years but was evicted after the landlord wanted to renovate and found he couldn’t afford anything else.

He is also working to help a family move into a three-bedroom house in western Sydney. The grandmother, her adult daughter and grandchild - all with limited English skills - are currently sharing one room.

Our services has been finding that because boarding house residents spend most, if not all, of their income on rent they don’t have much left for food, and are relying on programs such as Foodbank.

Further reading:

• Boarders dying with no dignity


• Shocking abuse and neglect revealed in boarding houses across NSW

Media coverage - West Australian: Call to give kids drug/alcohol lessons

The WA head of Mission Australia wants more comprehensive drug education in primary schools as children as young as 10 dabble in alcohol and cannabis.

Acting State Director Carmen Acosta said better programs and delivered at a younger age could help the small number of children vulnerable to such drugs in primary school. It would have the more widespread benefit of fortifying students against peer pressure in high school.

Ms Acosta said young people were growing up faster but drug education in primary school appeared ad hoc and in some cases absent or ineffective.

Some children relied on inaccurate information from the internet.

"There is most certainly evidence to show children are dabbling as young as 10," she said.

"The biggest risk time is the first year of high school. We need to fortify them with appropriate information before that."

Ms Acosta said the impact of cannabis and alcohol should not be underestimated. About 80 per cent of people using Mission Australia counselling and rehabilitation had cannabis and alcohol problems.

This compared with only 30 per cent in 1999.

Heroin and amphetamines were bigger problems back then, accounting for half their clients, she said.

"Violence fuelled by alcohol and binge drinking is extremely concerning among young people," Ms Acosta said.

"We are seeing many more young people coming to us concerned about their alcohol use than we have ever seen previously."

Ms Acosta said most children would never have problems with drugs and alcohol but would benefit from getting accurate and age-appropriate information in primary school.

Story originally published in The West Australian on 15 August 2011

Media coverage - South Coast Register: Video links workers with employment

Mission Australia Employment Solutions at Nowra has achieved a first, placing a jobseeker through a video.

Mission Australia recently launched its visual resume program Meetseeker, and Shoalhaven Excavations operations manager Kris Peters was one of the first prospective employers to look at the program.

Mr Peters gave up his time to attended the new program's launch day on June 23 in which he got to meet some of Mission Australia's jobseekers, and also give his feedback on the program.

After regularly turning to Mission Australia for help finding new staff, Mr Peters used Meetseeker to hire Lino Nuualiitia.

"Despite Lino having no previous demolition experience I really liked his enthusiasm and the way he presented himself on Meetseeker, that's what really sold me in the end," Mr Peters said.

Mission Australia Shoalhaven business manager David Rawson said the response from the business community had been overwhelming, with several local businesses "really taking this new technology on board as the way of the future for recruiting new staff".

Above image:  MA sales representative at Nowra, Arnie Schunmann, is on hand as jobseeker Lino Nuuiltiia is welcomed to his first day of work by Kris Peters from Shoalhaven Excavations

Story originally published in the South Coast Register on Monday 8 August.

Saltwater Kitchen making its mark in Darwin

Mission Australia’s Saltwater Kitchen social enterprise has plenty on its plate, with more requests for catering coming in each week.

Based in Darwin, this commercial catering business provides practical training and work experience to disadvantaged jobseekers. Now in its second year of operation, the business is thriving, and recently catered for a 130-person event at the Darwin Museum.

Saltwater Kitchen currently employs 18 trainees, who are all undertaking or have just completed their Certificate II in Hospitality.

“Some of our trainees have never had a job let alone knowing what responsibilities having a job entails,” said Enterprise Development Manager, John Vreeling.

“The program is a real success and you can see it in our participants. Many commence with little or no self confidence and at the end of the 26 weeks you can really see a positive change.”

Trainees are employed for a period of approximately 26 weeks. During this time they rotate work locations between any of the three local primary school canteens and Saltwater Kitchen. During this time they are mentored and supported by our Canteen Managers – one of whom is a former trainee of the program – and Saltwater Kitchen’s resident Head Chef, Leigh Harding.

Saltwater Kitchen is operated by Mission Australia as part of the Changing Places Innovation Fund, which is delivered by the Department of Education Employment and Workplace Relations.

Photo:  from left, John Vreeling (Enterprise Development Manager) with trainees Dwayne Wilson and Sarah-Jane Walkington at the Darwin Museum function earlier this month.

Jen’s jammies hit the headlines

Permanently PJ-clad Jen Cramond, Community Fundraising Manager in our National Office in Sydney, has attracted plenty of attention this month – and a story on the front page of today’s mX newspaper will ensure more people see her in her bright jammies.

As Jen explained to mX journalist Cathy Morris, she’s been wearing pyjamas on her daily commute from Bondi to the city since the start of the month to help raise money for homelessness. And that includes when she pops out for a coffee or goes out for dinner and drinks at night.

"Generally, people give me an up and down look, and don't say anything," Jen told mX. 'But I have had a couple of people ask me what I'm doing.

"I felt a bit nervous on the first clay, after that I kind of go with the flow. It feels like my normal work attire, but I am looking forward to getting back into my normal work clothes."

Jen said she was motivated by the fact the money was going to a good cause.

"I think it's a small discomfort to raise money for such a good cause, there's lots of people out there who don't get a choice about where they sleep each night."

About 100,000 people were homeless across the country every day, with half of those aged under 25.

For every $100 Jen raises she's wearing PJs for another day this month. She has currently raised $1,400 and her last day is set to be Thursday.

"But if I receive more donations I'll keep going," Jen said, adding that she’s been wearing a variety of different types of PJs as part of her fundraising effort, but "the ones that are matching get the best reaction from people".

Great work, Jen! To show your support for Jen’s efforts and help homeless Australians visit everydayhero.com.au/jen_cramond_pj

You can also follow Jen on Twitter - @everynothingyen

National data mirrors demand at Mission Australia's services

New national data released today showing an increase in demand for welfare services across Australia mirrors Mission Australia's own frontline experience.

Mission Australia CEO, Toby Hall, said the number of people seeking assistance at Mission Australia’s homeless services and other community assistance programs has continued to rise in recent years – highlighting the ongoing plight of Australians struggling with financial and personal hardship.

Data published by the Australian Council of Social Service today reported a 12 per cent increase in assistance provided by agencies for services ranging from homelessness to mental health to aged care.

The data also showed that despite providing services on 6,180,282 occasions in 2009-10 compared with 5,513,780 in 2008-09, more than half of the 783 organisations polled said they had been forced to turn people away as they were unable to meet demand.

“This is a clear indication of how serious the demand has become for more services to help people who are struggling in our community,” Mr Hall said.

“Everyday, staff at our services are contacted by individuals and families desperately in need of help: people struggling with long-term homelessness; parents who are unable to find work and can no longer afford to pay the rent; and children who are dropping out of school because of the challenges they face on the home front.

“These trends are particularly concerning, when you consider that high unemployment, large numbers of young people not engaged in education or training, and general disengagement from community are the seeds of the kind of activities we have seen in Britain this month.

“This is a strong reminder to Australia of how important it is to provide adequate support services to help disadvantaged members of our community turn their lives around.

“We don’t want to see Australia's level of disadvantage increase. And most of all, we don’t want to see people in need being turned away from crucial services because the demand is just too great.

“At Mission Australia we are committed to helping people turn their lives around – especially those people who have been turned away by every other service provider.

“We don’t want to see anybody left behind – and that’s why we will continue to work with all levels of government to identify new opportunities to support people who are at risk of homelessness or disadvantage," said Mr Hall.

City2Surf novice speeding ahead

On Sunday, Sook Smith will run her first City2Surf to raise funds for Mission Australia. Currently one of the event’s Top 10 fundraisers, she’s already off to a great start:

"This is my first year doing The Sun Herald City2Surf. I’d thought about it over the last few years but wasn’t ready to commit. This year a few girlfriends are doing it so it was enough encouragement to get me to sign up.

Having my maiden run at 46 meant that I really needed to stick to my training. Making use of the intermediate training suggestions on the City2Surf website made this easier and I made the commitment to stick to my training no matter what. Although this sometimes had me running in my raincoat!

When deciding to fundraise it was important to me to pick a charity in Australia that supports Australians, especially youth, unemployed and homeless. Quite often we hear about charities in developing countries but sometimes we miss what’s in our own backyard. This is the reason I chose to support Mission Australia

Once I began fundraising I made the approach to the Jaques Stanmore Foundation, the foundation within our business - The Jaques Stanmore Financial Group (http://www.jaquesstanmore.com.au). I know them to be very supportive, but had no idea how supportive until they informed me that for every dollar I raise up to $3,000 they will match those funds. So of course my step was to figure out how to raise $3,000 to get the most from my fundraising!

I started off by emailing my friends, family and clients and was completely overwhelmed by all the support I received from them and from my business partners. The company was also kind enough to support me in having a fundraising morning tea where I put baking skills to work in the cake raffle, where the prize was a cake for any occasion baked by me.

I think fundraising is all about working to your own skill sets and being as creative as you can. My advice to others thinking about fundraising is Go for It. It encourages you to race better and with the help of email and the internet, it’s easy.

The run on 14 August is all about enjoying myself and the spirit and atmosphere of the event. Hopefully I get a good race time and the fundraising is an added bonus!"

Share the fun
Supporters can meet up with their sponsored runners after the race at a Mission Australia barbecue on Sunday. We’re setting up just over the finish line at Ramsgate Avenue, near the North Bondi RSL - so come along and grab a snag and a drink. Look out for the Missionbeat van and the Mission Australia banner!

To get behind our runners, including Team MA from our homeless services, visit www.fundraise.city2surf...

Superheroes to tackle the City2Surf

On Sunday, Carlos Romero and his family will take on The Sun-Herald City2Surf to raise funds for Mission Australia. Here he shares why this event – and the cause – means so much to him.

"As the Telstra Operations Manager of the Social Services and Not for Profit Sector I have built a great relationship with Mission Australia over the past six years - a place where motivation and inspiration are easy to find.

Missionbeat is one of my favourite Mission Australia services. It’s headed up by one of Sydney’s most influential and inspirational people when it comes to social welfare - Daniel Strickland. I follow Daniel on Twitter and Facebook and he was my first motivator to get started with City2Surf. I have always wanted to compete against Daniel - and win!.

This is my first time doing City2Surf and I will be running alongside my family. It’s also the first time they have run beside me in such a large-scale event, or anything that involves running or walking more than 80 metres. I think my wife and kids are excited about the prospect of beating me at something sports related (all the sporting trophies at home currently have my name on them).

Training with kids
Kids, as we know, are generally never still; even when mine are enjoying an ice-cream at home they are constantly on the move. So when it came to training, their regimes were much cheaper than mine.

Having exciting race-day attire is important in my family and money saved on training has since been spent on outfits for the day. Celio, 2, will be sporting a Superman costume but his older brother Marcius, 4 (both pictured) thought Spiderman was by far the superior option. I have a strong feeling they will cross, or fly, over the line well before their father.

My training has been going well, since moving to our new house in Parramatta. While we had wanted to build a huge state of the art training facility much like the ones used by Olympians and the very fit NRL stars at Moore Park, we could only afford a cheap exercise bike.

It’s come to my attention that those very fit NRL Sydney Roosters have been training Daniel and the Missionbeat team, but I don’t feel they will be a match for my cheap exercise bike. I also have an added advantage over Daniel in this race. However, I cannot disclose all my secrets in this article, you will have to stay tuned to find out more! I will say this though; it is something I intend to wear to rival Daniel’s rainbow shoes.

Putting the fun into fundraising
I feel City2Surf and fundraising are a perfect match, it brings the ‘fun’ and ‘raising awareness’ onto the world stage, and brings a few laughs with it too. On a serious note though, it’s a joy to be able to help others in need, especially when God blesses a positively charged middle-class male with a good family, good health, a little wealth and plenty of good times.

With this attitude, one lives life without counting dollars and cents, but counting sense in community partnership, in social justice and in personal success towards bridging the wide gap between being very poor and very rich, which means a lot more to me.

The prize at the end of the day for me is raising money for people less privileged than me, knowing that they are being looked after by Mission Australia. Regardless of whether you are first or last, the best part of reaching your destination is the long and winding but memorable road that leads you there."

Support our superheroes
If you’d like to get behind any of the teams running in support of Mission Australia – including those MA Team runners from our Sydney homeless services who are being coached by the Sydney Roosters - visit this page. You’ll also find links to other fundraising events, such as our 2011 Winter Sleepout.

Media Release: Government must change policy on unaccompanied refugee children

Mission Australia has called on the Australian Government to allow unaccompanied refugee children seeking asylum to stay in the country and is encouraging the leaders of the country’s churches and welfare agencies to raise their voices in public support.

Mission Australia’s CEO, Toby Hall, said most fair-minded people would be uncomfortable with the prospect of deporting unaccompanied minors.

“Whatever their political beliefs, I believe the broader Australian population is not supportive of turning unaccompanied children away,” Mr Hall said.

“It’s morally wrong and the government needs to change its policy.

“Malaysia, Nauru or anywhere else, it doesn’t matter. Sending unaccompanied children away from our shores, to an uncertain future, is against our shared values. It’s not what Australia’s about.

“Gradually we’re seeing a range of voices speak up against the policy. Last week Western Australia’s Premier, Colin Barnett, registered his opposition. This morning, Father Frank Brennan did the same.

“We need more leading Australians – particularly from our churches and welfare agencies – to speak out in similar terms.”

Earlier this week, Mission Australia announced its support of Melbourne’s Crossway Baptist church’s offer to accommodate and care for unaccompanied refugee children – at no cost to taxpayers.

“Mission Australia is proud to back Crossway Baptist Church in its efforts. We’d be happy to work in similar ways with other reputable organisations.

“If the government were to agree to Crossway’s offer, Mission Australia would use its expertise as one of the country’s largest providers of homelessness and youth services to support the church with developing policies and procedures to ensure the care of these children is delivered at the highest standards and with cultural sensitivity.

“When the government was first elected in 2007 it promised a humane and even-handed approach to refugees. It promised community-led care of refugee children.

“We’re calling on them to stick to those principles,” said Mr Hall.

Media contact: Paul Andrews (02) 9219 2080

Jymbilung House Community Care named Champion Employer 2011

A small community aged care organisation in Beaudesert, Queensland, has taken out top gong at Australia’s leading employment awards in Brisbane last night.

Having been nominated by Mission Australia, Jymbilung House Community Care was named Champion Employer of the Year at the National Employment Services Association’s awards, in recognition of their outstanding contribution to providing positive employment opportunities for disadvantaged job seekers.

Mission Australia Employment Solutions Business Manager Robert Kennard said this was great recognition of the important partnership between Mission Australia and Jymbilung, which had led to the placement of more than 40 job seekers over the past 11 years.

“Jymbilung has been one of our most valued partners, and that is why we nominated them for this prestigious national award,” Mr Kennard said.

“Here at Mission Australia, we are delighted to see one of our best local employers being recognised on the national stage for their significant efforts to provide job opportunities for people struggling with unemployment.

“In area where the unemployment rate is higher than the national average, at 6.5 per cent, the efforts of Jymbilung to provide employment opportunities for local job seekers are particularly important. They are helping to make a real difference in the local community.

“In particular, Jymbilung has made a significant contribution to addressing Indigenous unemployment, with the majority of the placements we have achieved at this organisation having been for Indigenous job seekers.

“Jymbilung have always shown remarkable perseverance and patience in working with our job seekers to overcome barriers to employment, and provide training opportunities that will allow employees to gain accredited qualifications in Aged Care, First Aid and Occupational Health and Safety.

“This is a huge coup for a local organisation and for our staff at Mission Australia who have worked so closely with Jymbilung for over a decade.

“Aged care is a challenging industry, but Jymbilung provides its staff with excellent support, ongoing training and great working conditions. That’s why we are always so pleased when we are able to link a job seeker with a position in this organisation.”

Established in 1994, Jymbilung House is a home and community care initiative, set up to assist frail aged, younger people with disabilities and their carers to stay in their own homes longer and enjoy a better quality of life.

Proudly sponsored by Mununjali Housing, Jymbilung originally was funded for the Indigenous population of Beaudesert Shire, however the program services now both Indigenous and mainstream clients.

The winners were announced at the NESA’s gala awards dinner at The Sofitel Hotel in Brisbane last night.

Pictured (from left): Mission Australia Service Manager Anne Humphreys; Mission Australia Employment Solutions Queensland General Manager Phil Shultz; Jymbilung Centre Manager Matthew Moore; Jymbilung Operations Manager Paula Jakavicius, and Employment Solutions Beaudesert Sales Representative Shelly Currie.

MA Housing opens waiting list for ground-breaking housing project

MA Housing is seeking applications from eligible tenants for 42 brand new affordable housing units.

The Camperdown Project is located in Sydney’s inner-city and is based on the successful Common Ground model from New York.

The units, due to open their doors in October, will be offered to eligible low income households at less than 80% of market rent, under the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS). Under the scheme, at least one member of the household must be employed and household income cannot exceed $44,128 for a single person or $61,006 for a couple.

This brand new six-storey development has been designed to an award winning 5-star green rating, evidenced by the abundance of natural light throughout the complex. A range of amenities will be located on the ground floor and a 24-hour, seven days a week concierge will service the secure access lobby.

Weekly rents start from $220 for a mixture of studios and one and two bedroom apartments.

As part of an integrated housing model, The Camperdown Project will also provide long-term housing and support for people experiencing homelessness, and is only suitable for people over the age of 18.

If you know someone who is in need of low-cost rental housing, please encourage them to contact MA Housing for more information.

Contact Adi, Brad or Sarah on the MA Housing hotline: 1800 269 672 or visit www.mahousing.com.au for more information.

Thoughtful support from Qantas staff

A huge thank you to all the Qantas staff who collected and donated hundreds of packs of toiletry items – enough to fill two Missionbeat vans – for distribution through our homelessness services.

The toiletry packs, along with financial donations collected from Qantas offices around the country, were presented to Mission Australia’s Missionbeat at a homeless week event held at Qantas’ Mascot headquarters on Friday.

The lunchtime event featured a performance by the Sydney Street Choir and warm meals on sale to staff, with all money going to Mission Australia’s homeless services.

Mission Australia’s CEO, Toby Hall, welcomed the generous contributions by Qantas’ staff and the organisation’s commitment to tackling homelessness.

“Homelessness remains one of Australia’s biggest social problems – around 105,000 people are homeless on any one night in this country,” said Mr Hall.

“We each have a role to play in tackling the problem – by making a donation to the homeless charity of your choice, by volunteering, or participating in a fundraising event.

“It’s terrific to see Qantas and its staff take that message to heart and really get behind an initiative that will make a difference in the lives of many homeless people around the country.

“It’s often overlooked, but essential toiletry items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, sanitary napkins, hair brushes, etc, play a crucial role in helping homeless people – particularly those sleeping rough – maintain their hygiene and self-confidence.

“Homelessness is an extremely isolating experience made even worse if you’re unable to clean your teeth or run a comb through your hair.”

Georgina Gaussen, CEO of Qantas Foundation said, “This Mission Australia appeal is a great initiative to get involved with and our people are very keen to throw their support behind the campaign.

“The simple act of donating toiletry items is a small effort that has big benefits for those who don’t necessarily have those day-to-day items that many of us take for granted. It is a stark reminder that we can all do our little bit to help Mission Australia make life for our homeless more bearable.”

Thanks again, Qantas, for your wonderful support!

Media coverage - Herald Sun: Owen Craigie warns of gambling pitfalls

Be it horses, trots, greyhounds, poker machines or card games, you name it and former NRL star Owen Craigie used to punt on it. Hardcore.

For 12 years, Craigie wrestled the daily demons of a gambling addiction that ultimately cost him everything that he had earned from playing rugby league.

In total, he lost more than $1.5 million. Houses, relationships, friends, family - Craigie went all in and lost the lot. If ever rugby league needed a reminder about the damage gambling can do, this is it.

Broken to the point where he contemplated suicide, Craigie turned to psychologist Phillip Hilder and Gamblers Anonymous for help.

Slowly, he's confronted his addictive personality and the triggers behind it to the point where he has rebuilt his life to work as a gambling education officer for Mission Australia in Newcastle.

"The topic of gambling in Aboriginal communities is just as big as your drugs, alcohol, domestic violence and your sexual abuse.

"Back in the day, I'd gamble every day. When you've got an addiction and a disease, that's what you do. There's no line, there's no limits; reality is you've got a problem.

Described by Andrew Johns as "the most naturally talented player I played with", Craigie made his NRL debut as a schoolboy aged 16 and won a grand final with Newcastle when he was 18.

During his 10-year, 153-game NRL career with the Knights, the Wests Tigers and South Sydney, he pocketed more than $1.5 million in earnings.

In between training and game days, his life was built around TABs and pubs in Newcastle, Rozelle and Redfern, always chasing the next big collect.

These days, instead of rushing to his local every Saturday to settle in for an afternoon of punting, you will find Craigie preaching the value of education.

As part of Mission Australia's Gambling Smart project, he has travelled to 11 Aboriginal communities in the past eight months and has nine communities still to go.

As far north as Tweed Heads, as far south as Nowra, west to Brewarrina and then in the Sydney suburbs of Redfern, Mt Druitt and Campbelltown, Craigie talks about everything from the stolen generation and alcoholism to the awful habit of sniffing petrol and glue.

Read the full article here

New ACT problem gambling service
Last week Mission Australia officially opened its new office in Canberra from where it is providing the ACT’s nation leading Problem Gambling Support Service, which commenced on 1 July 2011.

This service is an Australian first, with a focus on both preventing gambling problems and supporting those currently experiencing problems.

Clients can access the support service in a number of ways including face-to-face and over the phone. The number is 1800 858 858.

Read more about the launch here

Helping young offenders turn their lives around

A new Townsville service run by Mission Australia is helping to change the lives of young people just released from youth detention.

The Supervised Community Accommodation pilot opened its doors last November and has already helped prevent youths from reoffending or ending up back on the streets.

The pilot was officially launched on Friday by Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers Senator Jan McLucas, Member for Townsville Mandy Johnstone and Mission Australia’s Queensland State Director, Penny Gillespie, during National Homeless Persons’ Week.

Ms Gillespie said the program is a Queensland first, aimed at reducing rates of homelessness and recidivism.

“This program provides 24 hour, seven day a week supervised accommodation for young males who have just come out of detention and don’t have anywhere to go,” Ms Gillespie said.

“It’s about helping those young people to transition back into the community and get a fresh start in life – so they don’t become homeless, and don’t become repeat offenders heading back to detention.

“We know that young people coming out of detention face real challenges and without the necessary support many can end up homeless or return to a life of crime.

“Through this service, our staff work with the young people to help them make positive decisions about their future, to find secure long-term accommodation and to get back to school or into work.

“We also place a great focus on reconnecting with families and support networks, which will help the youths stay on track in the future.

“The program is already achieving great results, with a number of young offenders who have accessed our service now back at school or starting new jobs – making a positive contribution to their community.

Ms Johnstone said the Queensland Government was pleased to be funding this important service, with $3 million committed over three years.

“We know that there is genuine concern about youth homelessness in Townsville and young people coming out of detention are particularly vulnerable,” Ms Johnstone said.

“The Mission Australia staff who work at this service are dedicated individuals with the experience and knowledge to help these young people get the support they need to get their lives back on track.

“This is not only helping to build a better future for these young people, it is also helping to make our whole community safer by preventing homelessness and youth crime.”

Senator McLucas said the service is playing an important part in the Gillard Government’s efforts to reduce homelessness around Australia, through the Homelessness National Partnership Agreement.

“This pilot is a great example of how grass roots community services can make a real difference to reducing homelessness across Australia,” Senator McLucas said.

“Ensuring these young people have a safe place to call home is an essential part of helping them turn their lives around.

“The service is providing a roof over the heads of some of our more vulnerable members of the local community and helping them to stay connected and lead productive, healthy lives.”

The Supervised Community Accommodation service targets primarily 16-18 year old young males who:

• Are residing in Townsville catchment areas 


• Are leaving detention on either a Supervised Release Order or bail 


• Are homeless or at risk of homelessness 

The service can support up to 4 young people at any time and Mission Australia works intensively with them for up to 6 months.

Mission Australia is working collaboratively with the Queensland Department of Communities, Youth Justice, and Cleveland Youth Detention centre to deliver the pilot under the State Government’s Youth Housing and Reintegration Service (YHARS).

Photo: From left, Senator Jan McLucas, Service Manager Judy Paton, State Director Penny Gillespie and Member for Townsville Mandy Johnstone.

Supporting Crossway’s offer to care for refugee children

Mission Australia has thrown its support behind a Melbourne church's offer to accommodate and care for unaccompanied refugee children to avoid them being deported to Malaysia.

Melbourne’s Crossway Baptist Church has called on the Australian Government to allow unaccompanied refugee children seeking asylum to stay in the country and has offered care and accommodation to the minors at no cost to taxpayers.

In support of Crossway, Mission Australia has committed itself to assisting the church in supplying best-practice and culturally appropriate care.

Mission Australia’s CEO, Toby Hall, said “The plight of these vulnerable children is on the minds of most fair-minded people. Mission Australia is proud to back Crossway Baptist Church in its efforts.

“If the government were to agree to Crossway’s offer, Mission Australia would use its expertise to support the church with developing policies and procedures to ensure the care of these children is delivered at the highest standards and with cultural sensitivity.”

North and South Queensland staff connect with homeless

Mission Australia staff on the Gold Coast and Cairns have marked National Homeless Persons’ week at two community events that offered people in need support, advice and supplies.

Staff from our Employment Solutions services on the Gold Coast dug deep for Wednesday’s Homeless Connect event at Broadbeach, donating a ute-load of supplies – including clothing, towels, toiletries, blankets and even kids' toys - that were handed out to people in need.

Coordinated by the Gold Coast Homelessness Network and the Gold Coast Youth Service, the event brought together all the major services and agencies involved in providing assistance to people living rough on the Gold Coast.

Now in its third year, the event was created in response the Gold Coast having one of the highest rates of homelessness in the state. According to 2006 Census figures, each night more than 2,200 people don't have a home to sleep in.

Crystal Jousovec (pictured right), one of our employment advisors at Palm Beach who organised the donation drive, also did a great interview with ABC 91.7FM ABC as part of a live broadcast.

Our staff also provided advice about employment and other services offered by Mission Australia.

Mission Australia Employment Solutions State General Manager Phil Schultz thanked staff for making “such a valuable personal contribution”, in addition to the work they do each day to help people looking for employment.

Connecting in Cairns
Today, the team from Mission Australia’s Going Places homeless support service in Cairns joined other local agencies in providing advice and support to locals at Homeless Connect at Munro Martin Park.

Local Service Manager Natalie Musumeci said hundreds of items of clothing and blankets had been donated by community members, local businesses and Mission Australia staff themselves for the event, which also featured a barbecue and entertainment.

“It’s great to see the community getting behind an event like this and we’re very grateful to all the businesses and individuals that have made a contribution,” said Ms Musumeci.

“By helping people who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of losing their tenancy, not only can we assist the individuals to improve their circumstances, but the whole community also benefits, she added. “These are complex issues and no two cases are the same, so by working together with other community organisations and government services to provide a holistic approach to reducing homelessness we can all make a difference.”

The program, funded by the Queensland Government, aims to provide local people who are living rough with the support they need to find secure accommodation and to make the positive changes in their lives that will allow them to stay off the streets.

When this service started, staff were mostly working with single people looking for accommodation. But in the past three months, they have seen an increase in the number of families with children seeking help from our service.

Since our Going Places program started in Cairns last November, Mission Australia has already assisted 113 people who were experiencing homelessness, including 34 families.

Media Release - Andrew Barr MLA: Nation leading problem gambling service officially launched in the ACT

Today Mission Australia officially opened its new office in Canberra from where it is providing the ACT’s nation leading Problem Gambling Support Service which commenced on 1 July 2011.

Problem gambling is an issue the ACT Labor Government takes seriously. I am looking forward to Mission Australia’s contribution to combating problem gambling in the ACT.

This service is an Australian first, with a focus on both preventing gambling problems and supporting those currently experiencing problems.

It will provide counselling services - both problem gambling and financial - educational information on problem gambling, self-help techniques and important links to other services such as family guidance, alcohol and drug assistance as well as housing and employment opportunities.

Another important element of the service will be outreach services to other locations in the ACT. This will include providing support to clubs to help club staff deal with patrons who may be experiencing gambling problems.

Mission Australia is also working with the Australian National University, the ACT Gambling and Racing Commission and industry stakeholders to assist with research on the causes and effective treatment of problem gambling.

The support service is being funded through the Problem Gambling Assistance Fund. All gaming machine licensees are required to contribute to this fund and it also includes voluntary contributions from ACTTAB and Casino Canberra.

Mission Australia was selected from a competitive public tender process and currently provides gambling counselling services at 13 sites across NSW. The service has six full time staff who between them have 30 years of counselling experience.

Clients can access the support service in a number of ways including face to face and over the phone. The number for the service is 1800 858 858.

The service will extend to provide support through e-mail and online contact in the future.

Media release issued on the 4 August 2011 by Andew Barr MLA, Deputy Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Economic Development, Education and Training, Tourism, Sport and Recreation in the ACT Legislative Assembly