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August Newsletter 2003
Editorial *
With the advent of the colder weather it becomes increasingly difficult for those facing financial difficulties to survive. This is particularly so for the unemployed, and the homeless in our community. One of the most frustrating aspects that we as people who care face is that there is little we can do about it in practical terms. Apart from the Boarding Houses and the Caravan Parks there are few places they can go. For those who are able to access this type of accommodation it is often a considerable struggle just to make ends meet when the majority of your pension is eaten up by rental costs. Dandenong is being promoted as the 2nd City and much money is to be invested by governments to make this happen.
This is a good idea but where do the large number of fringe dwellers , the working poor and the disadvantaged in our Dandenong Community fit into this scheme. When asked at a recent meeting a representative of the City stated that there was sufficient public housing in the district and there was no plan to add to that in the new planning for the future. Having raised the question as to affordable housing in Dandenong and Casey it was stated that the fringes of suburbia such as Pakenham and beyond were the areas now of affordable housing for those seeking there own home or looking for cheaper rentals. What does this all mean? From the outsider it would appear that the push to move the
poor to the fringes of the City is continuing. We have seen this in the so called inner suburbs where the low rental of the past is now non existent and the people are pushed further out to find cheap accommodation.
Is this to happen in Greater Dandenong ? Current development trends and bureaucratic attitude suggest that such a move is well established on the agenda. The worrying thing is what will happen to the poor and disadvantaged? Where can they go? What social problems are we creating for those who come after us? Provision for public housing with affordable rents is essential if the trend so well documented by the press and the property market of more and more people not able to live the Australian dream of house ownership. Unless this happens in the short term more and more people will find themselves faced with the prospect of homelessness ...... whole families without a place to live.
The welfare ramifications of such a situation will make our present welfare problems look insignificant. Add to this the social structure and future provision for the maintenance of services in Greater Dandenong and Casey with its
influx of new homes and families and we are sitting on a social development time bomb. Struggling to cope now with the societal problems prevalent in the district it is little wonder that agencies look with some apprehension at what the future holds. However, we can all be encouraged by the fact that, whatever the future holds, there will be people of compassion, who will seek to meet the needs and make sense of what is happening.
Ps. Max Walker. CEO. Cornerstone.
CORNERSTONE OP SHOP:
Opened in Foster St in 1994 in a shop provided rental free from the Dandenong Salvos Cornerstone Op Shop has been a feature of the daily life at Cornerstone. When the shop in Foster Street was no longer available it was re-sited, on site at Cornerstone in Mason St. For the past 7 years Jim and Maria Perez have managed the shop as unpaid volunteers. Under their enthusiasm for the task the OP Shop has been very successful providing financial assistance initially to the Youth program and in later years to general Cornerstone programs. Jim and Maria have now decided they can no longer continue as Managers.
The Board of Management has expressed their thanks to them for a job well done and honor them for the contribution they have made to Cornerstone and wonderful service they have given to the people of Dandenong over the years. They will be sorely missed. As part of a general review of the Cornerstone programs the Board will make appropriate decision concerning the shop over the next few weeks.
MEALS:
During July there has been a slight drop in the numbers of people attending lunches at Cornerstone. However, between 80 -100 people share in Wednesday lunches with the numbers slightly less on a Friday.
Light meals are provided on a Thursday evening with up to 50 attending on most nights with 40 -80 attending the Saturday Night program. Over the past month there has been a significant increase in the number of younger people coming for the daytime meals. There are always new faces which reflects the transitory nature of many of the people seeking assistance and then moving on to other localities.
ENCOUNTER PLANNED FOR SUNDAY AUGUST 31ST:
This ENCOUNTER will commence at 5.00 p.m. through to 9.00 p.m. It will feature a special BBQ meal cooked by old friends Roy and Bev. Johnson.
There will be various segments to the program including items from leaders and regulars at Cornerstone. The Drop In will be open for pool and other activities as well as the advertised program items.
PASTORAL CARE PROGRAM AT DANDENONG PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL:
This program, under the direction of Ps. David Grice, is one of support to the dedicated staff at the hospital. Pastor David is at the hospital each Monday morning where he conducts an informal service for the patients as well as visiting patients in the wards. This program, like our other programs provides a listening ear , and support for people at times of high stress.
GREATER DANDENONG COMMUNITY GRANTS PROGRAM.
Cornerstone was a recipient from the City of Greater Dandenong Community Grants and Pastor Max and Alison Walker met recently with a representative of the City to formally accept the grant for 2003/4. Dandenong Council has been a strong supporter of the Cornerstone programs over the years and we are proud to have them as a sponsor. This years grant again is for the provision of food for the luncheon programs and the night Drop In programs. Greater Dandenong
joins our other major sponsors, the City of Casey, the Rado Family and the Andrews Foundation.
EMPOWERMENT:
One of the most exciting aspects of the activities that occur at Cornerstone is to see the empowerment of individuals. In the initial days of Cornerstone all the Leaders involved came form local churches and those who volunteered were from the churches. Pursuing a policy of empowerment has seen many people from the rank and file attenders at Cornerstone accept more and more responsibility for the day to day activities.
To see the development of these people has been a great encouragement.
Latent skills and forgotten abilities have been released and, as a result of being given opportunity to serve, Cornerstone now has a majority of volunteers from the people who attend on a regular basis. The dedication and their perceptiveness and their past experiences are a valuable store of knowledge that enhances all our activities.
POLICY ON DRUGS AND ALCOHOL:
Cornerstone does not condone the use of drugs and/or alcohol and they are not permitted on the property. Periodic warnings are given at meals that anyone dealing illicit drugs at Cornerstone will be reported to police and the people concerned banned from Cornerstone.
Confiscated
alcohol will be poured down the sink. However, people affected by illicit drugs and alcohol are permitted into programs as long as they are not a danger to themselves or others. If they are aggressive they will be evicted so that Cornerstone remains a safe place for people to gather.
CHILDREN/SCHOOL AGE PEOPLE AT CORNERSTONE:
School age children are welcome at Cornerstone during school holidays. At other times parents will be asked the reason they are not at school. Cornerstone is not a childminding centre and children unaccompanied by a parent or responsible adult will not be allowed to enter.
Parents must supervise the children at all times . Post primary students will be asked the reason they are at Cornerstone and if the answer is deemed unsatisfactory their school will be notified. Agencies who send young people to Cornerstone need contact Cornerstone staff.
INVITATION:
Why not experience Cornerstone for yourself and drop in and see us in action at one of our night and/or day programs?
Cornerstone:
Pastor Max Walker CEO. |
| Postal Address: | PO BOX 358
Dandenong Vic 3175 |
| Address: | Church of Christ building
cnr Mason and Walker Sts
Dandenong Vic 3175. |
| General Enquiries: | (03) 9794 5654 |
| Fax: | (03) 9794 5949 |
Email:
 | ALLMAX@bigpond.com |
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