The difference you make AUTUMN 2021 ISSUE 10

A FUTURE FREE FROM VINNIES DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RENEWS REBUILDS FEATURES THE PUSH FOR SOCIAL HOUSING • BUSHFIRE RESTORES RECOVERY GRANTS • THE MAN BEHIND FREEMAN HOUSE Dear friends Messages The past 12 months In these challenging times where many are Highlights of our has upturned our lives. faced with uncertainty, it is important to of thanks Destruction of bushfires, the remember the example set by Christ – “for even work last year coronavirus upheaval and the son of man did not come to be served, but HERE ARE SOME WORDS OF THANKS WE RECENTLY RELEASED OUR ANNUAL economic hardship have to serve”. AND HOPE FROM PEOPLE WHOSE LIVES REPORT 2019/20, HIGHLIGHTING OUR created a collective trauma HAVE BEEN TURNED AROUND THANKS Thanks to the generosity of donors like you, IMPACT THROUGH STATISTICS AND for so many who yearn for a return to the TO YOUR SUPPORT. the St Vincent de Paul Society NSW is able to STORIES OF PEOPLE WE’VE ASSISTED ‘normal’ of the past. help people in a variety of ways. In all, when OVER THE PAST YEAR. I too look forward to the day when we are we provide food and material support, foster Here are some of the highlights – all able to travel freely and visit loved ones and a sense of community and advocate for more My sincere gratitude to you made possible thanks to the generosity of the needy without apprehension. However, it social housing, our members, volunteers and people for making it feel like supporters like you, as well as our dedicated is important that we take stock of this historic staff do so with love and care for those assisted. members, volunteers and staff. moment and reimagine what our society can be. In all, we see a more just, compassionate and Christmas – my spirits are lifted. This past year proved what is possible when our spiritual society. – Este society shows compassion for those in need. Our political leaders managed to house the homeless, 147,700 while people living below the poverty line were the number of visits our afforded a dignified quality of life through the Vinnies have given me my JobSeeker supplement. We should not accept a members made to people’s homes, Peter McNamara dignity and I’m forever grateful return to a ‘normal’ where our most vulnerable hospitals, aged care facilities and are forced to choose between keeping the lights State President for their help. – Rachael on or putting food on the table. St Vincent de Paul Society NSW prisons to offer support 55,000 The whole team has been total number of people In this issue of Impact amazing; I’ve got a friend there when I need someone to talk assisted by our members with 4 GUIDING JOANNE TO A BETTER LIFE 9 SOCIAL HOUSING DEBATED IN food, clothing, financial aid and Having endured domestic violence at the NSW PARLIAMENT to. They can give you hope and hands of her ex-partner, Joanne and her A petition with more than 10,000 signatures that’s more than anyone can ask other assistance children are building a new life free from abuse. have backed a campaign calling for more for. – Sharnee social housing throughout NSW. 6 NEW SOCIAL HOUSING OPENS 33,350 IN CARDIFF 10 GETTING BACK ON HIS FEET people supported by 94 families in the Hunter have a place to call After losing his job due to COVID-19, David home as a result of Vinnies’ social housing is finding his way back thanks to the support With a young daughter and a our health, housing and partnership with the NSW Government. of Vinnies. son arriving any day, having homelessness, disability and 7 BUSHFIRE RECOVERY FUNDS HELP 11 THE HOUSE DON HELPED BUILD safe and stable housing means the community inclusion programs DRAKE REBUILD Meet Don Hewitt, the man who paved the With the backing of a bushfire recovery way for Freeman House – a lifeline for regional world to me. – Chloe grant, the north coast community of Drake is people struggling with addiction. building back from disaster. $8,100,000 12 CONNECTING THROUGH distributed or committed 8 BALLINA’S HOMELESS CAN NOW CREATIVITY ACCESS PERSONAL SUPPORT In addition to providing food and shelter, Vinnies supported me by to people and communities impacted A new drop-in facility in Ballina is providing locals Vinnies Services allow people to express finding accommodation and in need with a range of personal care services. by the bushfires in NSW themselves through creativity. funding part of the cost, I could not have done it without READ THE ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY Impact is produced by the St Vincent de Paul Society NSW. ABN: 91 161 127 340 Copyright 2021 Because we respect the privacy of the people we assist, names in this newsletter may have been changed, stories summarised them as I could not find an NSW ANNUAL REPORT 2019/20 ONLINE AT: and pictorial models used. affordable property. – Anthony NSW201920.VINNIES.ORG.AU For more information about the St Vincent de Paul Society NSW, contact: Follow (02) 9568 0262 or vinnies.org.au. Correspondence can be sent to [email protected] us on:

2 Vinnies renews, rebuilds, restores To donate visit vinnies.org.au or phone 13 18 12 3 Guiding Joanne to a better life

JOANNE SUFFERED YEARS OF ABUSE AT THE Community Support Office helped turn the tide for HANDS OF HER PARTNER. WHEN HE FINALLY Joanne and her family. LEFT, SHE WAS UNPREPARED FOR THE PAIN Gaining assistance with fresh fruit and vegetables, HE WOULD CONTINUE TO INFLICT. household bills and court-mandated family Cut off from her finances, caught in a draining legal counselling, the comfort of knowing someone was dispute and without a close network to call upon, in her family’s corner helped to alleviate the pain her the support of Vinnies provided the mother of four former partner had inflicted. with a path to a better life. “At the time, it felt as though we were alone in Joanne remembers a time when her financially Sydney with no family networks or support to fall secure life was “happy and comfortable”. back on. However, when her youngest daughter was born, a “It was a long and expensive process, where our daily barrage of verbal abuse began, too, leading to lives were on hold until a decision was made. a toxic environment which ultimately turned physical. “Vinnies helped me with so many things. I wouldn’t Having undergone surgery for back pain a year earlier, have been able to continue with my medication or the impact of being pushed against a wardrobe saw my children’s orthodontic treatments at a time that one of the cords in her spine dislodged. was critical to their health and wellbeing. With police taking out an Apprehended Violence “They empowered me and showed my children that Order (AVO) following the altercation, the abuse they matter.” continued in the form of coercive financial control. Joanne and her children are now free of their abuser “The day he left, he cleared out the bank account, and beginning a new life close to family interstate. froze the credit card and paused the home loan,” Once again, Vinnies stepped up before they left with Joanne explains. “I found myself in credit card debt food vouchers to help the family acclimatise, as well and no money left for household expenses, food or as providing presents for the children to enjoy a school fees.” Christmas to remember following years of unrest. A few days later, a threatening notice from her “The courts have given me full custody of my children ex-partner’s solicitor informing her to vacate the and he is not to have any communication or access. family home resulted in legal action which took a “We feel empowered and comforted because toll on both her finances and wellbeing. Vinnies opened a door and gave us reassurance that “My ex-partner would come to the house vowing we would be okay. the children and I would be ‘homeless and hungry’. “Vinnies is there to help and don’t judge you in any It was really tough on them going to the courts way. They will be there to help you through the hard and telling their story, but somehow they found the times and guide you to a better life.” courage, even though they lived in fear.” Some of the key findings highlighted in the cohabiting partner since the start of the The experience of Joanne and her children is Continuing to work throughout the legal study include: COVID-19 pandemic said the violence had a harrowing yet tragically common instance of proceedings, the mounting expenses saw Joanne started or escalated; domestic violence. • One in 20 women (4.6%) experienced physical or turn to her local parish and primary school for help. sexual violence during the first three months of the More than half who experienced coercive One in six women in Australia have experienced •  “The school immediately gave me food vouchers and pandemic; control reported the onset or escalation of domestic violence by a current or previous partner boxes from Vinnies and asked me to reach out for emotionally abusive, harassing or controlling during their lifetimes. • 5.8% experienced coercive control, such as support – but I didn’t for a long time. monitoring whereabouts, belittling/derogatory behaviours during the COVID-19 pandemic According to a 2020 study published by the “I just quietly waited for them to put food vouchers in comments and financial abuse; Australian Government’s Institute of Criminology, If you haven’t already donated to our Autumn my letterbox, as I was so ashamed in asking for help. the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic • One in 10 (11.6%) experienced at least one form Appeal, please make a gift now to support people “It wasn’t until my youngest daughter went to bed coincided with an onset in cases of domestic of emotionally abusive, harassing or controlling like Joanne to find safety and a path to hungry when I knew I had to swallow my pride and violence against women. This period of time also behaviour perpetrated by a current or former independence. reach out, as I had no choice if we were to survive.” saw an increase in the frequency of domestic cohabiting partner; Donate online at vinnies.org.au/ VINNIES After making the choice to reach out for help, the violence committed against women already • Two-thirds of women who had experienced autumnappeal, using the form on the REBUILDS care provided by a nearby Vinnies Conference and suffering at the hands of a current or former partner. physical or sexual violence by a current or former back of this magazine or calling 13 18 12.

4 Vinnies renews, rebuilds, restores To donate visit vinnies.org.au or phone 13 18 12 5 New social housing opens in Cardiff

IN MID-JANUARY, ST VINCENT DE PAUL development for St Vincent de Paul Society HOUSING (SVDPH) OFFICIALLY OPENED ITS co-founder, Sister Rosalie Rendu. NEW SOCIAL AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING “As well as being a co-founder of the St Vincent de COMPLEX, THE RENDU APARTMENTS, IN Paul Society, she started the Daughters of Charity. The CARDIFF, WEST OF NEWCASTLE. Daughters of Charity established – I presume it was a As part of the NSW Government’s Social and convent – in Sandgate … a nearby suburb to here.” Affordable Housing Fund (SAHF), the St Vincent de Ahead of performing the blessing of the Rendu Paul Society will be providing ongoing support to Apartments, Bishop Wright spoke about the the residents. importance of the Society’s work in living the teachings of Jesus Christ. Bushfire recovery funds In a COVID-safe, outdoor gathering, St Vincent de Paul Society members, volunteers, and staff marked “Lightening people’s loads, their burdens, letting the milestone with a small ceremony and blessing. them have the security, the feeling of rest of being help Drake rebuild Guests included the Minister for Minister for Families, able to be at home, where they are – these things Communities and Disability Services, The Hon. are part of Jesus’ call ‘come to me you are weary and burdened, I will give you rest’. ; Mayor of Lake Macquarie, Kay Fraser; DRAKE’S SEWING CIRCLE IS LEADING A Above (l-r), Kris Love, Richmond regional president and the Most Reverend Bishop William Wright. “So, we celebrate the work of the St Vincent de Paul REVIVAL OF THE COMMUNITY HALL, THANKS Mick Albany, Progress Association President Roger Society through its conferences and through its NSW Society State President, Peter McNamara, TO VINNIES BUSHFIRE RECOVERY FUNDING Turner, Amanda Hartley and Doree Hartley. special works in continuing to offer that invitation.” was unable to attend in person but, thanks to the AND DONATIONS FROM AN ANONYMOUS The Rendu Apartments mark the end of SVdPH’s “This kind soul, who insists on remaining lessons learned in the pandemic, he was able to give VINNIES VOLUNTEER. an address via video. construction commitment to the SAHF, with all of anonymous, offered to donate all her sewing Oddly, this hamlet between Casino and Tenterfield He spoke about how the Society’s capacity to the properties under SAHF’s first round of funding materials to the Drake group,” Mick recalls. gets its name from the 16th century English sailor help has grown since it was founded in the 1830s now delivered. “I thought this would amount to a couple of Sir Francis Drake who circumnavigated the world and the importance of helping in areas of need St Vincent de Paul Housing CEO, Brian Murnane, cardboard boxes, but it turned out to be, quite but came nowhere near the NSW far north coast. like the Hunter. was the last speaker but was focussed on the future literally, a truckload.” Despite a confusion of names over the years, “Who could have imagined not just two centuries and the ongoing need for more social housing. The scrap materials and equipment had been including ‘Fairfield’, after a local property, Timbarra, ago but even two decades ago that we would be “We know, Minister, that you are a great collected over twenty years, during which time and the Aboriginal name of ‘Wattum birrabin’, providing 94 families with a home, coupled with advocate for social and affordable the donor ran a successful haberdashery business meaning flying gliders, the township settled on personal support from the Society members, housing in the Government and we stand VINNIES and never let scraps go to waste. Mick Albany Drake, after the County where it was located. volunteers and staff?” ready to do more. If you’ve got the money, RENEWS borrowed a truck from Vinnies recycling centre in The surrounding countryside was hit hard by In his speech, Minister Ward referenced the Gospel we’ve got the capability to deliver more.” Goonellabah, loaded up the donations and headed the bushfires of 2019/20, with homes, properties of Matthew and the off to Drake where the sewing circle was set to and livelihoods shattered. Vital to helping restore importance of building on resume making repairs and alterations, quilting, the community’s spirit has been the support of solid foundations. general family sewing and crafting goods for sale in organisations such as Vinnies, which has provided the local market. “The solid foundations more than $20,000 worth of assistance from our The Society’s bushfire funds have also enabled the here are not just the bricks community bushfire recovery grants programs. and mortar that we see re-flooring of the craft gallery at the multi-purpose The funding has enabled the purchase of two large in these 94 units around Drake Village Resource Centre, costing $3,575. The capacity water tanks and air conditioners, plus ten where we are sitting today previous floor was collapsing, threatening the only sewing machines and storage cupboards to help but they are the people outlet for the paintings, jewellery, woodwork and the rebirth of the popular Drake Sewing Circle, a that will provide those other creations by talented locals. fine example of the adage that “a stitch in time vital supports, the care, “Our mission is to provide the community of saves nine”. the hearts and the hands Drake with the resources for each individual to that will be here to assist Like the other activities based at Drake’s community realise their own potential,” read the centre’s those people who are hall, which was hand-built out of local timbers and funding submission. mud bricks, the Circle shut down because of the doing it tough.” Progress Association president Roger Turner bushfires, and then COVID-19. Maitland / Newcastle expressed the community’s gratitude to Vinnies for Central Council President, In the process of administering the grant money our our valuable support: “Without these John McKendry, spoke Jack de Groot, Vinnies NSW CEO, and Gareth Ward MP, Richmond region President Michael (Mick) Albany grants it would take much longer to Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services mentioned the sewing circle to one of his members give the hall the upgrades it needs, and VINNIES about how his Council RESTORES settled upon naming the with new SAHF resident Chloe and her daughter Ciara. in Ballina, a woman known for her sewing skills but to enable the gallery at the DRVC to be whose eyesight was failing. back in business.”

6 Vinnies renews, rebuilds, restores To donate visit vinnies.org.au or phone 13 18 12 7 services. These include light refreshments, showering Social housing debated facilities, outdoor space for socialising, computer access, medical and nursing care, in NSW Parliament Centrelink engagement service, legal and housing OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS, OUR MEMBERS “We are in an enormously difficult time – a time support, and psychological AND STAFF HAVE BEEN HARD AT WORK where many of our children will never be able to live and counselling services. CAMPAIGNING FOR THE NSW GOVERNMENT in the suburbs and communities where they grew up The well located service is TO INVEST IN MORE SOCIAL HOUSING. in,” said . named Mary’s Place in honour Defined as secure and affordable rental housing “If I could just wave a magic wand I would love of Aileen Mary Delaney who for people on low incomes with housing needs, the nothing more than to do 5,000 homes every year for made a generous bequest to current waitlist for social housing in NSW is made up the next ten years; but let’s be realistic to the treasury the Society. of 51,000 applicants or the equivalent of more than and the responsibilities we have,” said . Adjacent to Mary’s Place 100,000 people in need of a home. For many, the During the petition debate, , Member for but independently accessed time spent waiting can run up to ten years. Newtown, spoke passionately on the responsibility Officially opening Mary’s Place, Ballina in November 2020 were (l-r) is Harmony House, owned of government to ensure residents have a safe and Fr. Peter Padsungay, St Francis Xavier Parish Ballina, Beverley Kerr, Vice In September 2019, we launched Build Homes, Build by, and leased from, secure place to live. President, St Vincent de Paul Society NSW, Gail Gaudron, Lismore Central Hope, a social justice campaign calling on the State Ballina Parish. The three- Council President, and Niamh Mannion, Executive Director Vinnies Services. Government to build an additional 5,000 social “If we are in this place to do one thing then surely it bedroom service provides housing properties each year for the next decade. should be to deliver safe, affordable, habitable and accommodation for residents To achieve this ambitious, yet vital, target, Vinnies secure homes for the people of New South Wales,” transitioning back into members set about meeting with their local MPs said Jenny Leong. community living after facing and collecting 10,000 signatures for a petition to be Jack de Groot, Vinnies NSW CEO, spoke following challenges that may have tabled in NSW Parliament. Amid the challenges of the conclusion of the debate with a message on the Ballina’s homeless included homelessness. the Black Summer bushfires and COVID-19, a total of overall quality of life that comes with having a place Harmony House retains its more than 13,000 signatures was delivered to Alex to call home. original name but has been Greenwich, Member for Sydney, in October 2020. can now access fully refurbished “Sometimes we get confused in NSW about the value and upgraded. On 18 February, the petition was debated in NSW of property. We forget about the fundamental value of a Parliament where MPs from all sides of politics life that flourishes in a home – that’s what we’re about.” “Research shows that Ballina spoke on the importance of social housing in all parts personal support experiences significant levels Thanks to the support of donors like you, we are able of the state. of disadvantage compared to to advocate for social change by raising awareness of NSW generally in terms Alex Greenwich hosted an event in the Jubilee Room issues affecting people experiencing hardship BALLINA HAS A SPECTACULAR LOCATION, of income, education and employment at NSW Parliament House where Gareth Ward, and disadvantage. SITTING AT THE MOUTH OF THE RICHMOND opportunities,” said Niamh Mannion, Executive Minister for Families, Communities and Disability To learn more about our advocacy work and RIVER AND PROVIDING A BASE FOR Director Vinnies Services. Services; Melinda Pavey, Minister for Water, Property campaigns calling for a more equitable and Housing; and Ryan Park, Shadow Minister for VISITORS FLOCKING TO THE PRISTINE “Members of St Francis Xavier Conference Ballina NSW, sign up to our monthly Housing and Homelessness addressed a delegate of BEACHES, FROM ANGEL’S FLAT ROCK TO were active supporters of the project, and helped Social Justice e-Newsletter at VINNIES Vinnies members. Labor MPs and Jodie RENEWS LENNOX HEAD AND UP TO BYRON BAY generate community backing for its development. http://bit.ly/VinniesSJnews or contact Harrison were also in attendance on the day. WHOSE NAME IS NOW INCLUDED IN THE Ballina Shire Council backed the project from the [email protected] FLIGHT DESTINATION: BALLINA BYRON start, as did Ballina MP , and local GATEWAY AIRPORT. service clubs and businesses. L-R: Brian Murnane, Amelie Housing CEO; Melinda Pavey MP, Minister for Water, Property and But there is a lesser known reality to life in Ballina “It has been a wonderful community endeavour, Housing; Jack de Groot, Vinnies NSW CEO; and Alex Greenwich MP, Member for Sydney. (and for that matter, Byron Bay) – it has one of the with everyone recognising the need for a service state’s highest homelessness rates. According to of this kind. Living rough is a terrible experience, the last Census more than 500 people in the Ballina exposing people to violence, robbery, sexual assault Local Government Area were either homeless or at and a loss of personal dignity that is hard to risk of experiencing homelessness. recover from. They bed down in parks and beach dunes, the “Vinnies has a long history of supporting vulnerable backs of cars, in budget caravan parks and boarding community members, and this service is well placed houses, or couch surf in overcrowded households. to undertake some wonderful work.” All of this is unseen by visitors and most locals who Mary’s Place is the latest such service run by regard the area as a piece of sub-tropical paradise. Vinnies on the Far North Coast of NSW, Aware of the pressing need to help people on the following the successful establishment of margins recover some dignity in their lives, the St Fred’s Place in Tweed Heads and Pete’s VINNIES Vincent de Paul Society recently opened a weekday Place in Coffs Harbour. These services RESTORES drop-in service offering a range of personal care are assisting up to 90 people each day.

8 Vinnies renews, rebuilds, restores To donate visit vinnies.org.au or phone 13 18 12 9 Getting back on his feet

YOU MIGHT REMEMBER THE STORY OF David says that re-establishing ties to his old job and DAVID, WHO BECAME THE FACE OF LAST colleagues has put him in a much happier place. YEAR’S ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY “It’s great, it’s fantastic, it’s good. I don’t feel so down CHRISTMAS APPEAL. and so low on myself. I have a bit of self-esteem We caught up with him ahead of Christmas, when he again,” he said. dropped by one of our Community Support Centres David credits the St Vincent de Paul Society with to pick up a hamper for his family – and some making a difficult time in his life easier to deal with presents for his kids. for a range of reasons. David had been receiving help because, like many “Honestly, if Vinnies wasn’t there earlier on in the Australians affected by COVID-19, he had lost his job. year, I definitely reckon I would have struggled and just knowing that I have you guys there to support He was put in touch with the Society through a was a good thing.” friend shortly after he was notified by his employer. The impact the Society had on his life extends to his This was a rough time for David but he managed family as well, especially his kids. to finish 2020 on a much higher note – he found work again. His kids are smart and empathetic, they knew he was going through rough times and he says it affected David wants full-time work and the job he’s found them, too. The house Don helped build is part-time but, he says, it’s had a strong positive “They could see me stressing and struggling so, impact on his outlook and his life. obviously, when they see that Dad is down and out “I just feel heaps happier, in general, again. Because it affected them as well. So, now they know that could take a shower, enjoy a meal and find comfort in a I can actually do stuff again. Not to mention we’re I’ve picked up my spirits, they’ve picked up theirs as THE 14TH OF FEBRUARY 1966 IS KNOWN AS allowed to go back out. So, I can do stuff with my well. They could see, too, earlier on in the year when THE DAY AUSTRALIA INTRODUCED DECIMAL new set of clothes. kids and actually have a bit of cash now to do stuff I had the help from Vinnies, that without that we CURRENCY. THE DAY ALSO MARKED A “People found the comfort of the Society members with them,” he said. didn’t know what we were going to do. They could SIGNIFICANT MOMENT IN THE LIFE OF DON and wanted to stay. Some of the best people who In further happy news, it’s not just any job David’s got. understand that as well.” HEWITT WHO BEGAN AN ASSOCIATION helped us were the people that we’d helped.” WITH THE ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY “Getting my old job back was really good. I didn’t Now that conditions have improved for David and Over time, the service was redeveloped with two NSW THAT HAS LASTED 55 YEARS. have that fear of going into a new job or anything, his family, he says he’s keen to help others like the adjoining properties purchased to offer additional I went back to a place that I was familiar with and Society has helped him. Joining Vinnies as a 27-year-old as a means of living programs, while funds provided by Vinnies and state people that I knew. Not a lot of us but maybe about “I’m hoping that I can start helping you out his faith – “I’m not much good at prayer, but I’m and federal governments in the 2000s saw five or six of us came back when it opened. So, I got guys now. For next year, I can be the VINNIES pretty good at action” – Don was recently nominated it transformed into a leading residential rehabilitation to see a couple of people that I used to work with one that’s sort of helping people, like RENEWS alongside more than 5,500 people for an Australian facility named after Cardinal James Freeman. of the Year award in recognition of his lifetime of as well.” Vinnies did for me.” Today, Freeman House performs a vital role as the community work. largest residential rehabilitation service in northern Among Don’s greatest achievements during his time NSW. With the closest service offering withdrawal with the Society was helping to establish Freeman facilities located four hours away in Lismore and House in Armidale, a service designed to support Newcastle, Freeman House acts as a haven offering regional people struggling with addiction. long-term drug and alcohol rehabilitation, crisis Spending his early years as a member of St Joseph’s accommodation, inpatient treatment, aftercare Conference in Armidale supporting people through support and programs to accommodate patients home visitations, Don identified a cohort of older with young children. homeless men who spent their time in local parks While much has changed at Freeman House over the accompanied by flagons hidden under a brown past four decades, Don’s original intent of providing paper bag. a supportive environment for people struggling with “The police used to come around and they had no addiction remains as strong as ever. option but to put them in a jail cell for the night until they dried out, then put them on the street again,” “Whenever people set foot in Freeman House for the recalls Don. very first time, they’re on the road for success. Their efforts to get into Freeman House is a step in the Making the decision as then incoming Regional right direction.” President in 1979 to purchase the nearby Crescent Guest House for $25,000, a new Special Work – Thanks to the support of donors like you, St Augustine’s – was formed specifically to support Freeman House has been able people struggling with addiction. The site was also to help 875 adults over the past VINNIES REBUILDS designated as a proclaimed place which provided the decade address addiction and rebuild police with a legal alternative where people in need their lives.

10 Vinnies renews, rebuilds, restores To donate visit vinnies.org.au or phone 13 18 12 11 Connecting through creativity

ALONG WITH PROVIDING PEOPLE WITH A PLACE TO SLEEP, REGULAR MEALS AND MEDICAL TREATMENT THROUGH OUR VARIOUS VINNIES SERVICES ACROSS THE STATE, WE ALSO OFFER A RANGE OF PROGRAMS ALLOWING PEOPLE TO FIND AND SHARE THEIR VOICE THROUGH CREATIVITY. attending regular workshops and classes in person, Tania has worked to keep the spirit of Creative Space One such service is Creative Space Southern alive by producing creativity packs available for Highlands in Bowral. Opening in late 2017 as an contactless pick-up or delivery. initiative of the former Ability Links program to Catering to individual’s creative preferences and promote community inclusion, Creative Space is a interests, packs range from ceramic and wooden welcoming and accessible environment for everyone items to decorate, pre-stamped canvas postcards to come together through a shared love of creativity to send to ‘someone who needs to hear from you’, and making art. drawing and painting supplies, craft, clay and small Over the past year, it has brought together people of sculpture resources. all abilities to build confidence, share their knowledge “We have tried to be as responsive as possible to and gain new skills. The service supported in excess continue providing social connection and a strong of 110 people, who refer to themselves as Makers, sense that we are here operating. during this time. “Many Makers were unable to leave their For Tania McInnes, Creative Space Art Coordinator, homes or couldn’t afford to purchase the service is much more than its name suggests. materials they’d like to use, so it’s VINNIES “Creating a place of welcome is key,” explains Tania. wonderful for us to be able to continue RESTORES With the impact of COVID-19 preventing people from to answer that call.”

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Title______First Name ______Surname ______Address______To make a regular or single Suburb/Town______State______Postcode______donation, simply complete your details and post to: Tel______M ______Email______St Vincent de Paul Society OR I would like to make a regular donation of $______per month DONATIONS PO Box 19 OVER $2 Petersham NSW 2049 OR I would like to increase my regular donation by $______ARE TAX (02) 9568 0262 DEDUCTIBLE OR I would like to make a single gift of [email protected] vinnies.org.au Please debit the amount indicated to my credit card: MasterCard Visa Amex Diners Donation hotline: 13 18 12 ABN: 91 161 127 340 Card Number ON BEHALF OF ALL THE Card Holder’s Name______Expiry Date______PEOPLE WHO WERE ASSISTED BY VINNIES LAST YEAR... Signature______Date______THANK YOU. OR Please find enclosed my Cheque/Money Order made payable to ‘St Vincent de Paul Society NSW’

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