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EDITORIAL:  Once again another report is released indicating the deteriorating situation
for the poor and disadvantaged in our community. Once again the federal
government goes into denial and casts doubts on the legitimacy of the
report. The Prime minister states on TV that there is no deterioration in
the condition of the poor. For those of us who deal with the people on the
fringe of society this statement is at best based on ignorance or at worst
it is an endeavour to hide a worsening situation in an election year.
People are struggling to make ends meet and it is now extending up the scale
to include a large number of the working poor. More and more are seeking
welfare assistance. Basic costs of food continue to spiral upwards and many
struggle to meet the daily costs of sending their children to the local
school. More and more families are joining the lists of the homeless. While
welfare groups struggle to meet the needs of increasingly desperate people
the government continues to ignore the plight of nearly 4 million battlers
trying to make ends meet each week. In a rich society this should not be the
scenario where our affluence ignores the needs of those less fortunate than
ourselves.
Pastor Max Walker. CEO. Cornerstone. This year with the refurbishing of the Op Shop, area into offices and a reception area the legal service is now open on Wednesdays from 9.00 am - 12 noon. To assist those unable to attend in the daytime there is the first Thursday each month from 8 - 10.00 p.m. Preference is given to those who come in off the streets. Solicitor Grant Renkema reports that there is an increasing number of people seeking assistance. New Saturday Nights off to a great start:
March 13th: Fountain Gate Christian Centre. March 20th: Ps. Max & Alison. March 27th: Vineyard Berwick. Use of the Building: Apart from the normal programs run during the week two other groups are currently using the building. Avocare is using the building on a Tuesday to run a series of cooking sessions for their clients. Driver Awareness are again using our meeting room for a periodic Wednesday Night and Thursday daytime program. Groups interested in using the meeting room for small groups should contact the office for details.
1.00 p.m. Wednesday 24th in the Drop In following the Wednesday meal. Special Easter Events: April 8,9,10,11th. Easter at Cornerstone is a very special time. Easter can be a very lonely
time for people who are isolated from family and friends. For those with
limited resources there are few options. To meet the needs Cornerstone will
be open on Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Sunday. Dandenong Psychiatric Hospital Program: Each Monday morning Pastor David Grice attends the hospital as a pastoral carer visiting patients and running a short service for those who wish to attend. He also on occasion attends the Livewire Club run by Doveton CCU and ERMHA on a Monday evening in the Doveton Hall in Power Rd. He is also available to advise those who come into Cornerstone with mental illnesses. the program at the Hospital was initiated when the hospital invited Cornerstone to be part of the caring program at the hospital.
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| Cornerstone operates under the business name Cornerstone Contact Centre Inc. (AOO29459A) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
