|
|
April Newsletter 2006
Editorial:
Over Easter between 250 - 300 accessed the Good Friday -
Easter Monday programs. This in itself is not remarkable as in a normal week up to 500 attending with over 200 meals served.But when we look at the figures for 2006 so far we can see that the majority of attenders are new to Cornerstone and a large percentage are new to the district. The other interesting fact is that most of the newcomers are single men. In the past Coenerstone has had a core of regulars and many of these have moved on the other areas and / or have found part-time employment. As a result of this the 9.00 am - 11.00 timeslot on Wednesday and Friday see smaller numbers compared to 2005 using the facility but from 11 am onwards it builds rapidly and by lunch at 11.45 the place is usually packed. Numbers for the Wednesday / Friday meals have ranged this year from 65 - 130 people. Approximately 50 % of the people are newcomers.
As our volunteers move amongst the people there are a number of trends that can be observed:
- Many are very angry at the society that causes them to live the way they do and this anger is often vented at the agencies that they visit as they appear unable to assist them in any real way.
A recent survey of agencies suggests that many who try to access an agency are not eligible to receive help from that agency, many agencies are only able to give information and no practical assistance and , even if they were eligible for assistance many were sent away without help. Often the reason for this is the lack of funds available and / or the lack of staff to handler all the requests. Workers become frustrated! Is it little wonder the clients are angry !!
- First timers in the welfare system are embarrassed, unsure of where to seek assistance. Many find the forms they are asked to fill in confusing and difficult to fill in. There are few places where they can get assistance. Food, clothes, bus / train fares all become massive problems if you are new to the area and without payments.
- Housing continues to be a worry as more and more people move into district. Units are not an option for many of those who come through the doors as they cannot meet bond requirements and are often loathe to approach estate agents as they fear further rejections. Some are forced into rooming houses, private rental in backyard bungalows, temporary accomodation in squats.Some live in their cars.
There is still much to be done if people are to live in dignity. It is not a crime to be poor. It is just unfortunate for the poor that the current ferderal government considers there are no votes to be gained by helping them and therefore they are continued to be low on their priority listing. As the welfare agencies face more and more people flooding in it is time to face this ever increasing need and begin to address the problem.
Unfortunately so many people in our community do not believe that the people we see every day exist. They prefer to be ignorant because to be otherwise they would need to be compassionate and clamour for change.
Confronted with real need Aussies respond! It is up to each of us to keep pushing the need and confronting media, politicians, church leaders and the general comfortably affluent population with the reality of facing hardship in 2006.
Pastor Max Walker.CEO
Declaration of poll for 2006/7 Cornerstone Board Elections:
 Cornerstone Board Members read through the Annual Report, 55 people attended the meeting which commenced with a meal provided by Avocare Cooking for Dandenong program. Despite the bitterly cold night it was good to see such a crowd gather for the AGM.
Chairman: Grant Renkema.
Secretary: Alison Walker.
Treasurer: Liane Davis.
Board Of Management:
Allan Davis. Paddy Hamill. Vickie Sarkatzsis; George Sarkatzsis; Wilma Southern, Don Cameron
Appointed members of the Board of Management:
David Monroe; Amanda Murray; Suzanne Van Rooy; Maree Arthur
Ps Max Walker appointed CEO until December 2007.
Bits and Pieces:
The ACOSS community sector Survey for 2006 is now out. It provides information on service use, income, expenditure and workforce issues for the community services and the welfare sectors. It is the only survey that includes no profit organisation such as Cornerstone in its results. Cornerstone is affiliated with ACOSS because it is Victorian Council of Social Services (VCOSS)
Attendance figures at Lunches on Wednesday
& Friday for March & April.
Wednesday - March 1:120 | 8th:90 | 15th:85 | 22nd:80 | 28th:79 | April 5th:86 | 12th:65 |
19th:96
Friday - March 3rd:80 | 10th:86 | 17th:90 | 24th:85 | 31st:70 |
April 7th:89 |
14th:70 | 21st:110
Total for the lunch only : Meals served 1381. Approx. Cost: $1920 (food only)
The Victorian State Cabinet is meeting in Dandenong on Wednesday 26th. Times have been arranged to allow for discussion between Ministers and community groups. This allows for the highlighting of issues concerning the local area.
With a bleak winter forecast Cornerstone is looking for donations of blankets and tinned foods especially soups.
Some people still leave bags of clothes on the steps of Cornerstone. Cornetsone does not have an op shop and these clothes have to be stored and disposed of to another agency. Cornerstone cannot take household furniture etc.
The Afghan Information Centre will join Avocare and the Driver Awareness Program as tenants at Cornerstone in May.
Pastor Max and Alison spoke at the VIEW Club at Dandenong Psychiatric Hospital on Tuesday morning. Don continues to move across the Community making contact with church groups and local agencies.
It may be the hike in Petrol prices but an increasing number of people are riding their pushbikes to Cornerstone for lunches.
Cornerstone has received a grant from the Andrew Foundation. Tax Free donations can be given to Cornerstone directly through our postbox and / or through Dandenong Gives section of the Greater Dandenong Website.
|
|
A Great Easter at Cornerstone:
 Cornerstone Contact Centre and Drop In was one of the few agancies open over the Easter Holiday period.
Pastor Max Walker, CEO stated: 'For many people Easter is the loneliest time of the year. For those who have lost contact with family and friends the emphasis of getting together that accompanies the Easter festivities can be, for those without family a time of depression and desperation. Fortunately, in Dandenong Cornerstone gave them a safe place to gather food, frendship and a sense of belonging. Despite the limited public transport all our programs were well attended focusing on enjoying the Easter experience.'
 Programs commenced on Good Friday with a traditional fish lunch at the Drop In at 11.45am. The Drop In had over 100 people in during the morning with 70 sharing lunch together. A special feature of the morning was the serving of Hotcross buns provided by Hallam Highway Bakery. Pastor Don Cameron, Pastoral Care Worker, shared for 5 minutes on the significances of the Day prior to lunch being served.
 Saturday saw the Drop In open from 7pm - 10pm with
over 50 people attending despite the coldness of the night. The hot food provided was especially appreciated and Easter Eggs were distributed.
The tradition Easter Breakfast now in its 11th year saw over 50 people share in a traditional English breakfast. The morning commenced at 8.30 am with a celebration of Easter led by Pastor Max and Alison Walker. Easter Eggs were distributed and the Drop In remained open until 11am.
On Easter Monday the Drop In was open from 10am - 4pm for the pool, tea and coffee.
Easter at Cornerstone was a great time of getting together in the name of Jesus Christ ...the reason for the holiday in the first place.
|
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 |
|
|
