 |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
CEO Update
Beginnings and endings - this month we celebrate a significant ending and an exciting beginning.
Closure of the Ludmilla OpShop
For the past 20 years, Anglicare NT has provided an OpShop at Ludmilla. Sadly we closed its door to the public on Saturday 26 February. The impacts of COVID-19 and cheaper clothing options made sustaining its operations no longer viable.
For many, the OpShop was more than a shop – it was a community. Through the sale of unwanted, second-hand items we sought to provide supports to those struggling financially. Resale of donated goods demonstrated our commitment to building a sustainable community and environment.
It would not have worked for so long without the care and generosity of staff and volunteers. Fortunately, Vinnies, Salvos and Uniting Church run wonderful OpShops for our community and any unsold goods will be distributed to them.
Growing our homelessness, problem gambling and financial counselling services
A number of financial and homelessness services are to be transferred from Somerville Community Services to Anglicare NT in Katherine and Darwin. This will allow Somerville Community Services to focus on their work with people with disabilities and will ensure Anglicare NT can continue to strengthen its work with people experiencing homelessness, with financial issues or gambling addictions. Approximately 11 staff from Somerville will start with Anglicare NT on Monday 28 March.
Kind regards,
Dave Pugh
Chief Executive Officer |
|
 |
|
 |
Garaworra marks 10 years
In October 2011, Anglicare NT staff were given the keys to a brand-new complex of houses on the outskirts of Darwin. Soon after, the first residents of the Garaworra transitional housing facility moved in. In addition to short-term housing, individuals and families staying at Garaworra can access case management support, including general living and family skills, to help people transition into longer-term housing options.
To celebrate 10 years of operation, a combined anniversary and Christmas event was held at Garaworra in December 2021. The day featured a catered lunch, Indigenous food sampling from Bush Food Tasting, craft activities and an ice cream truck!
Garaworra Property Manager Karen Ah Mat and Case Managers Dolores Taufa and Sandra McCauley have worked at Garaworra since it first opened. They spoke at the event about the achievements of present and past Garaworra families, with many residents now living full lives in the community.
Over the years the women have developed many close relationships with residents, their children and extended families and communities. They have seen the accommodation site expand to house around 70 individuals and families at any one time in 19 dwellings. Dolores, Sandra and Karen invited current Garaworra residents to join them in cutting a special anniversary cake.
|
|
 |
Celebrating early learning success
Milingimbi community members celebrated the graduation of fourteen preschool aged children late last year. They are the second group to complete the Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters (HIPPY) since it commenced in Milingimbi in 2016. Graduating children received certificates wearing traditional ceremonial paint, surrounded by their clan groups performing bunggul. Santa Claus made a surprise visit to deliver graduation gifts and Christmas presents to children attending the event.
In Darwin, HIPPY celebrated the successful graduation of 22 families in November with a party at Crocosaurus Cove. Proud parents, siblings, cousins, aunties and grandparents attended the event, celebrating the children’s success while enjoying close encounters with some Top End reptiles.
HIPPY Darwin tutor, Maria, supported families with flexible home visits to help them complete 45 fun activity books. Home visits were made on verandahs, at Greek school, in the park, on school grounds and at kitchen tables. Maria completed HIPPY with her own son in 2020 and this year will commence as a Case Worker with one of Anglicare NT’s housing support teams.
HIPPY Darwin and HIPPY Katherine are currently recruiting for families with preschool aged children to join the two-year program. Contact Anglicare NT on 8985 0000 and ask to speak to the HIPPY team.
|
 |
|
 | We are still open!
Despite being impacted by the spread of COVID-19 across the Northern Territory, Anglicare NT continues to deliver our vital services across all sites. Several offices have been deep cleaned, staff have isolated and worn masks and PPE as required and services have adapted to phone and telehealth options.
Some services have temporarily transitioned to meet new needs, including delivering food to isolating families living in the community or at our accommodation sites. A raft of new policies and procedures have been introduced to ensure our organisation can continue to maintain service delivery into the future. |
|
 |
Support pregnant young women and young parents
‘It takes a village to raise a child’ - we know a support network, good information and accessible services can help grow strong parents and give children a good start in life.
Many pregnant young women and young parents feel overwhelmed with the stigma of an unplanned pregnancy and early parenting. Navigating new responsibilities, preparing for birth, tackling practicalities and maintaining hope at this time can be hard.
Donate today to help pregnant young women and young parents access essential care, timely support and to see a pathway forward.
For over 20 years our Pandanus Program has provided non-judgemental childbirth education, personal and practical support and hope.
"After fleeing domestic violence while pregnant, Sarah joined the Pandanus Program. Sarah was supported to attend antenatal appointments, enrol in Childbirth Education and find safe accommodation. Pandanus helped Sarah understand what to expect during pregnancy, how to prepare for birth, about parenting a newborn and provided connection to peers. Sarah is more confident, reconnecting with family, learning about healthy relationships and starting to think about completing her secondary education.”
To support pregnant young women and young parents, call us on 08 8985 0000 or visit our website:
anglicare-nt.org.au/donate
|
|
 |
Sharing joy over the festive season
Over the festive season, many of our regular program participants enjoyed attending special events and receiving Christmas gifts.
Pandanus Childbirth Education and Perinatal Support program invited current and former participants to a Christmas lunch celebration with a photo booth, face painting and presents from Santa. Volunteers with the Community Visitors Scheme and OpShop celebrated the end of the year with canapes at sunset.
Young people completing the Back on Track program with Anglicare NT put together 80 Christmas hampers that were distributed to families supported by Anglicare NT. Back on Track is an alternative sentencing option that addresses at risk behaviour, consequences and reparation, and builds life skills, cultural connection, family capacity and responsibility
Christmas hampers were distributed to participants of the Housing Accommodation Support Initiative (HASI). HASI supports people with a mental illness who live in public housing to maintain their tenancy, access psychosocial supports, develop life skills and enhance quality of life.
Youth Trax ran well-attended school holiday activities in Darwin including art workshops with The Shak and Proper Creative, cultural workshops in collaboration with Dingo Cockatoo Aboriginal Culture and free activities and barbecues at Leanyer Recreation Park in partnership with Surf Life Saving NT.
|
|
Introducing new Staff Chaplain,
Jo Vandersee
Hi there, I’m Jo! I grew up on a cattle and cropping property in Central Queensland – a small one, relative to the Northern Territory’s vast outback stations, but enough for riding horses or motorbikes, fishing in waterholes and climbing the sandstone hills that surrounded our fertile creek flats. After school, my initial degree in Nursing was put to good use as I worked to support several disability care projects in Morocco for two years. I have enjoyed various world travels at other times.
I loved my Theological Studies immensely and always seek to make practical what I have learned. Through the years I have held a number of different jobs, but my work has always been people-focussed. A variety of church roles in recent times has led me to Darwin where I am Families and Outreach Pastor at St James Sanderson 3.5 days per week, and Staff Chaplain with Anglicare NT in the Darwin region one day per week.
I find it an honour to be able to sit with different people and listen to their stories. This offering of support and encouragement gives so much back to me, and it is “why I do what I do.” I firmly believe in God’s love and care for all, and my Christian faith sustains me in times when hope is needed. To ensure that I keep my “tank” full, I enjoy singing in one of Darwin’s many community choirs, reading a range of novels, journals, papers and articles, meeting new friends, zooming with ‘old’ friends, and knitting squares for blankets that go to vulnerable people interstate.
There are many Anglicare NT staff whom I am yet to meet, and I hope that I can bring support and encouragement to all I encounter. Also endeavouring to care for Anglicare NT staff are our Chaplains in Katherine and Alice Springs. We also have two part-time Prison Chaplains, The Rev Christos Kastaniotis and Daniel Tetteh.
|
|
Gapuwiyak Family Fun Day
Following recommendations from the We Grow Them Up Learning Forum in May last year, our East Arnhem Communities for Children team has led the development of several community events. Developed through broad community consultations, the Gapuwiyak Family Fun Day in October drew on local ideas, skills and experience. Around 150 community members came together to share a meal and take part in water play activities – perfect for the build-up weather!
This creative and flexible event was facilitated by staff from Anglicare NT, East Arnhem Regional Council, FAST NT, ALPA and Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation. Event feedback was positive, with one local leader stating "more activities are needed that are like this, this helps children not go wrong."
|
|
Edith achieves financial literacy qualification
Edith commenced as a Financial Capability Worker (FCW) with Anglicare NT in November 2020. Based in her home community of Gapuwiyak, Edith provides local residents with financial literacy education, assistance with money problems and is a referral point for financial counselling for people with complex financial issues.
Edith enrolled with ICAN Learn in August 2021 to gain a qualification in Financial Literacy Education. Usually ICAN Learn visit the East Arnhem region to deliver this training face to face. With ongoing COVID-19 challenges, Edith commenced her training online. She attended zoom sessions with ICAN Learn and submitted independent study assessments with support from a visiting staff member. Edith successfully juggled her work and study load, completed her assessments and achieved her qualification in December.
Congratulations Edith – our East Arnhem Money Support Hub is much richer with trained and qualified Yolngu staff to help Aboriginal people in the region increase their financial literacy.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Copyright © 2022 Anglicare NT
|
|
|
