Newsletter Archive  
September Newsletter 2005

Editorial:
1 in every 200 Australians are homeless - each night 100,000 Australians do not have a place to call home. Homelessness increasingly affects Australian families - 1 in 3 homeless Australians are children in the care of parents. The mentally ill are especially vulnerable and a recent 4 Corners program highlighted their plight. Although the program was set in Sydney it mirrors the situation in Victoria. There are many homeless people with a mental illness that live on the streets or in sub standard accommodation, squats and the like. Most of us in suburbia are unaware of their existence. Many drift from suburb to suburb disturbed and lonely, without medical supervision and proper health care. They frequent the food kitchens in places such as Dandenong surviving on handouts. Many will die on the streets bereft of families that have given up on them years ago. These are the homeless.
The hidden sub culture that Governments don't want to hear about. It is the too hard basket!! Politicians unfortunately reflect the attitudes of the general public who wipe off these people as no hopers. Is it little wonder that their frustrations explode and they either damage themselves or take their anger out out on the very people who are battling for them. It is time that we as a nation stopped being more concerned about the national surplus and dealt with poverty and homelessness in our own society. As Christians we are too involved in our own local materialistic enterprises running programs and building churches to see beyond our own gates. Jesus would be ministering to the ill, the homeless and the societal outcasts bringing healing, comfort and a sense of belonging to them. Surely it is time for government and the churches to take seriously the needs of the poor and homeless before more are lost through suicide and premature death on the streets.

Pastor Max Walker.CEO
Wilma's 70th:
Wilma 70thWilma Southern, Board member and Volunteer celebrates her 70th birthday at Cornerstone.
Thanks:
Thank you for all the prayers, cards and good wishes concerning the CEO's recent spell in hospital.
MIDDWAY
(MENTAL ILLNESS DOESN'T DISCRIMINATE; WHAT ABOUT YOU!!)
will hold its Annual Walk through the streets of Dandenong culminating in a festival at Dandenong Market.

The date is: Wednesday October 12th leaving Dandenong Park at 11.00 a.m.

Cornerstone as a member of the MIDDWAY alliance will be open from 9.00 - 10.30 on that day. There will be a morning tea provided prior to the Walk. Cornerstone will close at 10.30 am to join the walk and the festival. Join us on the day.
Funding from Casey:
Cornerstone has received $6500 from the City of Casey. This funding will be spent on Emergency Relief programs in the City of Casey. Cornerstone has many clients from Doveton, Hampton Park, Cranbourne and Narre Warren.
The Petrol Prices:
Experience over the years indicate that before long welfare agencies are going to see an increase in first time clients from the newer suburbs in Casey and Greater Dandenong. Cars are essential on the new estates to get to work or to access public transport. High mortgages plus high petrol prices will put extreme stress on many families battling to meet their commitments. The term outward affluence and inward poverty becomes a reality if illness, unexpected unemployment and prices continue to rise. If history repeats itself many more will be seeking assistance.

September Assistance:
There has been a 25% increase in the number of people seeking crisis assistance. Referrals to other agencies has been steady. 720 meals have been provided at the Wednesday and Friday lunches. The two Sunday programs for the month have seen 80 light meals (soup and dim sims, pies etc) provided. While 240 light meals have been provided at the Saturday Night programs.

Cornerstone Vandalised on Grand Final Day.
main hallAlerted by the alarm system police were able to apprehend the culprit but in the 20 minutes he was in the building he wreaked havoc. It is believed that the offender was a mentally ill homeless person. Cornerstone was forced to close the Saturday Night program and a working bee will assess the damage and see how soon we can re-open.
  New Program:
Ps. Don Cameron has commenced a new program on Tuesday afternoon called Coffee and Chat giving the people the opportunity to discuss and understand Christian topics such as "Why did Jesus have to die!" Don also represents Cornerstone on a number of local groups including the Casey North Pastors' and Dandenong Pastors' groups as well as community youth committees.
Grant Renkema:
Grant will be taking his annual leave until October 17th and the legal service will not be available until Wednesday October 19th.
STOP PRESS:
A team of 15 hardworking volunteers descended on Cornerstone on Sunday September 25th and after two hours the Drop In was cleaned up and set up ready for this week's programs. Smashed plates have been replaced, upended fridge and stoves put back into place. Unfortunately in the case of the two large stoves the gas piping has been damages as have the stoves. These will be checked as soon as possible. At this stage they may need replacing if they cannot be repaired. A microwave was smashed but fortunately the sound/TV was unscathed. The smashed front door has been repaired and reinforced.

The decision was made to recommence the programs from Monday. The luncheon program willl go ahead although, due to the damaged stoves, it will be modified until the stoves are repaired or replaced.
Photos of Vandalism

Fridge and ovens
koala cafe
Koala Cafe
pool table
Pool Table


For further details check out the website or contact us as indicated below. *

All correspondence to
CEO c/o PO Box 358 Dandenong. 3175.

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
Free Legal Service: (03) 9794 8428
Email:
ALLMAX@bigpond.com
     
  Cornerstone operates under the business name Cornerstone Contact Centre Inc. (AOO29459A)