Newsletter Archive

Activities

There is a continuous passing parade of people who come through the doors of Cornerstone and the one common factor is that they are struggling to survive. They can? slip off to Bali for a fortnight, or have a night out at a upmarket restaurant. They come to Cornerstone for the free meal that helps to supplement their pension or welfare payment and their social contact is with their fellow travellers at the Drop In.

The thing that amazes me is their attitude. Struggling yet not bitter at their condition. Cheerful in the face of adversity that would devastate the chardonnay set in the affluent leafy green suburbs. These people have learnt to survive on the breadline but why should they have to in our wealthy and booming economy.

Amongst the most deprived who come through the doors of Cornerstone are the mentally ill. Not only are they discriminated against for their illness but the services offered them are grossly inadequately funded. Existing services struggle to scratch the surface of the need that is out there in the community and governments leave it in the too hard basket. As a result of this more and more people suffer the indignity of lack of services, counselling and proper and practical assistance.

Rapid growth and isolation in our area, family breakdown, lack of affordable housing , increased domestic violence and high youth unemployment provide a breeding ground for social disintergration and one of the by products of this is a continual increase in those experiencing mental illness.

It tells us in the Book of Acts that in the New Testament Church the affluent provided for the battlers and the needs of the poor were met. As a society we have the resources to meet the needs of the poor in our society but we continually fail to provide sufficient assistance to allow them to live a life of quality and dignity.

If this was the case there would be no need for Cornerstone and similar agencies as the Budget would meet the needs as is expected from responsible government in a democratic society.

Ps. Max Walker
Chief Executive Officer.
Cornerstone.

This year there have been many new people attending Cornerstone especially to enjoy the ample lunches provided on a Wednesday and Friday. This is indicative of the transitory nature of many of the people who move on seeking employment and opportunities for a more stable lifestyle elsewhere. Again the majority of Cornerstone clients are male between the ages of 25 -55. Early in the year there were significant numbers of young people 16 - 20 but in recent weeks these have moved on. High youth unemployment in the district, estimated at 24%, does not encourage those without strong family support to remain in the district. Now, as the winter months approach, it is anticipated that the numbers will continue to increase as shelter from the cold becomes an increasing factor. This combined with hot food sees the numbers grow until warmer weather returns.

Under the supervision of JIMBO, our pool supervisor the battle for the ?teve Chapman Memorial Pool Trophy?is underway alternating during the Monday program and the evening programs due to the availability of the various contestants.

The Andrews Foundation , following a submission from the CEO, has donated $10,000 to assist with the food program for 2004. This is greatly appreciated as food costs have escalated 20% since this time last year.

Over 25% of the people attending Cornerstone come from Casey with the balance from GreaterDandenong. Cornerstone has applied for Community Grants from both municipalities. Both Councils have strongly supported the work in the past.

MENTAL HEALTH WALK.

Now in its third year the Walk will be held in Mental Health Week in October. This year it will be held on Thursday October 14 commencing at noon. Planning is well underway and it looks like being another great day.

SATURDAY NIGHTS:
NEW FORMAT BEGINNING TO TAKE SHAPE.

Dandenong Baptist, Fountain Gate Christian Centre, Vineyard, Youth for Christ, and a Board team are covering the Saturday Night program and the people are settling into the variety of leadership groups they are experiencing. The Youth program is experimental and its continuation will depend on the support it receives. The other programs are adapting the normal Drop In program to suit the clients that attend the program.
Saturday Night programs commence at 7.00 p.m. and conclude at 10.00 p.m.

DISPLAY;
Cornerstone has been invited to mount a display at Dandenong Church of Christ on Sunday May 16th as part of their Mission Expo.

DAYTIME PROGRAMS:
Advocare continue to run an ethnic cooking program at Cornerstone on a Tuesday morning in the main Drop in.

Driver Awareness: They now use the old op shop area /meeting room for their Wednesday and Thursday programs. These are not weekly programs but are run regularly throughout the year.

DROP IN & LUNCHES ON A WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY.

Numbers vary but usually between 60 - 80 people sharing the free three course meal. Drop In numbers throughout the morning range from 30 - 100 dependent on the weather. Pension Week sees the numbers decline slightly.

Lunch is served at 11.45 a.m.

Workers from the Department of Corrections plus our regular teams of volunteers do a great job in preparing the food and cleaning up afterwards.

DRUG FORUM:
Amanda is our regular representative on the Dandenong Drug Committee. The recent Drug Forums run by the joint committees in Greater Dandenong have been very informative. Amanda, David M, and Felix attended the recent forum for indigenous people and found it challenging and very informative.

A STRANGE PHENONOMEN
Since we have had a proper aerial installed for the TV we have apparently connected with another frequency. On occasion we have picked up calls associated with local taxis. Some are quite clear and others distorted.
Investigations are underway to solve the problem.

LAST RESORT BAND:
This is a group of clients from Southern Region Mental Health Association and is one of their daytime activity programs. They have been invited to share their music with us following a Wednesday lunch.
They will play for approximately an hour on Wednesday July 7th in the Cornerstone Drop In Centre.

DANDENONG PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL.
Pastor David Grice works in the hospital every Monday morning working with the patients. He runs a short service for those interested in attending. He reported to the Board that he has now been invited to do a similar service in the closed ward. When possible he also visits hospitalised Cornerstone folk.

CORNERSTONE DETAILS:
ABN: 75 812 792 400.

CORNERSTONE IS LOCATED ON THE CORNER OF MASON & WALKER STREETS DANDENONG
NEXT TO THE TAX OFFICE.

POSTAL ADDRESS:
PO BOX 358
DANDENONG. 3175.

EMAIL: ALLMAX@bigpond.com

WEBSITE:
www.cornerstonecentre.com
Phone: 9794 5654
Fax: 9794 5949.
Free Legal Service: 9794 8428

Monday: 1.00 - 3.00 p.m.

Wednesday: 9.00 a.m - 1.00 p.m. Lunch at 11.45 am.
Free Legal Service:
9.00 am - noon.

Thursday: 6.30 - 10.00 p.m.
Gospel Hour 7.00 - 8.00 pm.
Supper & Drop In from 8.00.
First Thursday in month Legal service 8.00 - 10.00 p.m.

Friday: 9.00 a.m - 1.00 p.m. Lunch at 11.45 am.

Saturday: Drop In 7-10 pm.

Sunday Encounters:
as advertised.

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