2015-2016 · 2017-02-28 · Manager Dip Community Services Coordination Cert IV Counselling Dip Child, Youth & Family Intervention COMPLIMENTARY SERVICES JESSY HART – KEIHS (Keys

2015-2016

2 | P a g e C o m m u n i t y A c t i o n

CONTENTS

3 Mission – Vision – Values

4 Community Action Overview

5 Board of Management

6 Leadership Team

Finance Team

7 Service Delivery Team

8 Complimentary Services

9 President’s Report

11 CEO Report

15 Youth Service Report

22 Erin House Report

28 Housing Service Report

33 Audited Financial Statements


Community Action Inc provides housing and support services in response to the needs of our community.

Our vision is for a socially inclusive community without poverty, homelessness or violence.

RESPECT & DIGNITY

Respect and dignity are important aspects of our work with clients and our community.

EMPOWERMENT

We are a person-centred organisation operating within an empowerment process to nurture a supportive environment, skills development and independence. We empower people to have a voice and input into the decisions that affect them.

INTEGRITY

Integrity and accountability are keynotes of our provision of services and programs.

SOCIAL JUSTICE

We value the principles of equitable access to services, opportunity, self-determination and rights and responsibilities.

DIVERSITY & CULTURAL AWARENESS

We value a community that demonstrates acceptance of a diverse range of cultures and experiences. We deliver culturally appropriate services.

COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY

We value our local community. We strengthen our community through provision of services and investing financially through employment and prioritising local purchase of goods and services.

NON-VIOLENCE

We value non-violence and advocate the peaceful resolution of conflict through negotiation and mediation. Through peaceful means we aim to bring about a change in social conditions and practices that violate human rights.


COMMUNITY ACTION INC

Community Action Inc is a registered Tier 3 Community Housing Provider. Established in 2011 through merger, the core strengths of the partners were consolidated to bring a holistic approach to service delivery. The integration of crisis housing and support services with community housing has strengthened our capacity to support people through the housing continuum. Community Action Inc (CAI) is registered as a charity with the ACNC where we are endorsed as a Public Benevolent Institution. CAI is endorsed with GST concessions, FBT exemption and Income Tax exemption as well as endorsement with Deductible Gift Recipient status. Community Action provides services through three program areas: HOUSING SERVICES: Providing subsidised housing to people in our community. YOUTH SERVICES: Providing crisis housing and support services to young people and their dependants, who are homeless or at risk. ERIN HOUSE: Providing crisis housing and support services to women and children who are escaping domestic and family violence. Our services are based in Gympie and service the Gympie Local Government Area with a very small portion of work based outside of the region in Kingaroy. The four key strategic priority areas that drive the direction of our business include:

Leadership and Quality Services and Supports Workforce Skilling and Support Corporate Sustainability and

Growth

OUR HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE YEAR: Purchase of duplex for transitional DV

accommodation and carried out upgrades to this property

Completed upgrades to 24 Lawrence Street with Gaming Machine funds

Secured continuation of the GP funding for young people through partnership with PHN

Successful continuation of the Community Action Sleepout to raise funds for homeless people

Commenced management of the Council Pensioner Units

Entered in to discussions with MINS regarding a possible merger

Secured funding for 2017 for a Sexual Health Youth Worker in partnership with PHN

Secured funding for 2017 for a specialist DV counsellor to work with children and mothers in partnership with Department of Education & Training

Commenced negotiations regarding taking on the management of the Family Housing Collective properties


BOARD OF MANAGEMENT

ABBIE GRANT-TAYLOR -(President) is retired from a career spanning over 25 years with the Aust Government, the last ten or so with funded youth programs. Abbie has wide experience in a range of government programs including youth programs and policy, employment, recruitment, skills

development, disability services, youth homelessness, action research and contract management. In her spare time, she can be found with her horses. Abbie holds a Master’s degree in Social Policy and Planning.

RAE GÂTÉ (Treasurer) is a Sales Consultant with Gympie Regional Realty, after working for the past eight years as a Councillor in the Gympie Regional Council in the Social Wellbeing portfolio. Rae is a life time local who has a passion for the community and in her own time is not only involved with Community

Action Inc, but also serves as Treasurer for Gympie Community Place, Secretary/Director for Gympie and District Community Bank (Bendigo Bank) and on the Management Committees of Coolarts and JKS-Australia (karate).

KEV IRLE (Secretary: March onwards) is a registered psychologist currently in private practice. He has a bachelor of Social Science majoring in Counselling, Honours in Psychology, and a Graduate Diploma in Psychology. He has experience working with clients from ‘all walks of life’ with a full range

of mental health issues. Kev’s hobbies include laughing loudly, music, cycling, and generally enjoying the bizarreness of life.

COBI VAN DER ES (Secretary: Until March) is an experienced social worker who has worked across a variety of human services in Gympie for the past 20 years. She has been actively involved on management committees for various community organisations. She is passionate about social justice and the development of

responsive, quality local services.

SALLY GARRAHY is currently contracted as a commercial real estate sales and leasing consultant. Sally participates actively in organisations supporting families, business and industry in the region and in addition to Community Action, is currently involved with: Gympie Women in Business Network, a range of

reference and industry groups, and is President on the Board of the Gympie Chamber of Commerce.

SALLY BURTON is a leader within the retail banking sector. She has a well-defined vision of what it is to be a strong leader and deliver on results and expectations in her field. In 2013 Sally commenced her career with NAB where she is proud to be part of progressive organisation that is always looking for

improvement. With a love for community Sally is an active member and supporter of many charity groups. Sally has raised significant funds for Brisbane Legacy, Defence Special Needs Support Group and the homeless and at risk. These charities hold a special place for Sally.

KATE ROBERTS is a solicitor with eighteen years' experience with degrees in economics and law. She has experience across a broad range of fields of law, however now concentrates mainly on family law. She volunteers on a regular basis with the Taylor Street Community Legal Service and hopes to establish

a free regional women's legal service in Gympie with a focus on providing legal assistance to women in matters of family law and domestic violence.

ANN RIGBYE graduated from UQ in 1973 with a Bachelor of Social Work. Ann’s career includes working at the Maryborough Base, Royal Brisbane and Prince Charles hospitals and then joined the Department of Social Security in 1984 (now Department of Human Services – Centrelink). Ann has been based at the

Gympie office since 1988 and has always maintained a close affiliation with the community sector.


LEADERSHIP TEAM

JUDY BRAUER (CEO) has been involved with the broader organisation since 1997 as a staff member, Manager of Cooloola Youth Service and CEO post-merger. Judy has a Bachelor of Social Science (Human Services), an Advanced Diploma in Community

Sector Management, Cert IV Work Health & Safety and is a Commissioner for Declarations.

MICHELLE HINE - (Manager – Housing Services) has been a staff member since 2004. Michelle commenced with the organisation in the TAAS program and then moved into the Management role. Michelle has a Diploma in Social Housing,

Diploma in Community Services Coordination, Cert IV Frontline Management, and is a Commissioner for Declarations.

ANDREA MATTHEWS -(Manager – Youth Services) has been a staff member of the Youth Service since 2006. Andrea has a Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology – Sociology Major), a Grad Diploma in Humanities and a Diploma in Community

Services Coordination.

BERNADETTE WRIGHT - (Manager – Erin House) is our longest standing employee having been a staff member of Erin House since 1986. Bernadette has a Diploma in

Relationship Education, Diploma in

Community Development, Diploma in Advanced Disability Studies, Diploma in Community Services Coordination, over 30 years counselling experience with relevant qualifications and 27 years’ experience in the domestic violence sector. Bernadette is a JP Qualified and a Marriage Celebrant.

FINANCE ADMINISTRATION

KELLY MCCABE (Finance Officer) • Diploma of Accounting • Cert IV Bookkeeping • Over 20 years bookkeeping experience • Commissioner for Declarations

SHELLEY NGAIRA (Finance Officer) • Diploma of Accounting • Cert IV Accounting • Cert IV Business Admin • Cert IV Work Health & Safety • Over 20 years bookkeeping experience


SERVICE DELIVERY

ASHLEY ALBURY – Youth Service Reception / Administration

Certificate II Business Admin

KAY ARCHER – Housing Service Reception / Administration Assistant

Cert IV Bookkeeping

JULIE GRACE – Youth Service Young Women’s Housing & Support Worker

Grad Cert in Social Work (Advanced Family Therapy)

Grad Dip Social Administration

Masters of Social Administration (Community

Development)

PRUE HAY – Youth Service Reception / Administration & Erin House Support Worker

Bachelor of Social Science

Cert Bereavement Studies

LISA KING – Erin House Specialist Children’s Counsellor

Bachelor Arts

Grad Dip Secondary Teaching

Grad Dip Psychology

Masters in Guidance Counselling

Masters in Social Work (ongoing)

KERRY LOGIE – Erin House Weekend Support Worker

Bachelor of Social Science

Dip Training & Assessment BELLA LUCCHESI – Housing Service Tenancy Support Worker

Bachelor Social Work GEORGIANNA MANTHEY – Youth Service Resource Centre Worker

Cert IV Youth Work

KATRINA MARTINI – Housing Service Administration Officer

Cert III Business Administration JOE NEALE – Youth Service Housing & Support Worker

Cert III Youth & Community Work RENEE NIELSEN – HOUSING SERVICE HOUSING ASSISTANT & ADMINISTRATION

Cert III Community Services (Youth Work)


JO OSTERGAARD – Youth Service Housing & Support Worker

Dip Community Services

Cert IV Youth Work

Cert IV Drugs & Alcohol

Cert III Business Admin

Cert IV Training & Assessment

PAMELA PARKINSON – Housing Service Housing Worker

Cert IV Community Service Advocacy (Partial)

Commissioner for Declarations

DANNI SWIETY – Youth Service Housing & Support Worker

Bachelor of Community & Human Services (ongoing)

Ad Dip Management

MARIA TOMS – Erin House Child & Family Support Worker

Dip Counselling

Dip Child, Youth & Family Intervention

EMMA VERKERK – Housing Service Housing Worker

Cert IV Employment Services

Cert IV Training & Assessment

SUE WADE – Erin House Case Manager

Dip Community Services Coordination

Cert IV Counselling

Dip Child, Youth & Family Intervention

COMPLIMENTARY SERVICES

JESSY HART – KEIHS (Keys to Early Intervention in Homelessness Service)

Social Worker – five days per week working from the Housing Service

CARMEN SOUTHAM – Psychologist

Working one day per week from the Youth Service

STEPHANIE MAXWELL – Psychologist

Working two days per week from the Youth Service

DR KIT HAYDOCK – General Medical Practitioner

Working one day per fortnight from the Youth Service


PRESIDENT’S REPORT – ABBIE GRANT-TAYLOR

It gives me great pleasure to present the president’s report for 2015-16 - my first as president of the Community Action board. I would like to

start by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet today, the Gubbi Gubbi (Kabi Kabi) peoples, and pay my respects to Elders past and present. Renewal can be a good thing for boards and this year we have seen our fair share of changes. First, long serving executive board members Rae Gate (President) and Ann Rigbye (Secretary) relinquished their positions, while staying on the board. Without saying exactly how many years they have been involved with this organisation and its predecessors, I would like to publicly acknowledge the work these two amazing women have done, and still do, for this organisation. Indeed, it is not only Community Action but the wider community that benefits from the work you do and the time you give so generously. At last year’s AGM, we welcomed Cobi van der Es as Secretary, while Rae didn’t go too far as she agreed to take on the Treasurer’s job. Unfortunately for us, part way through the year Cobi accepted an opportunity to challenge herself in a totally new community in western Queensland. It was with regret we farewelled Cobi and we thank her for her commitment to the Community Action board and acknowledge her role in the wider community. In her place, we welcomed Kev Irle to the board and we

wasted no time in putting him to work. Thank you, Kev. New to the board this year was Kate Roberts, a busy solicitor. We thank you for the legal expertise you bring to the organisation. Thank you also to continuing members Sally Burton and Sally Garrahy for generously sharing your time, commitment, skills and wisdom with the board. We will be losing Sally Garrahy this year as she has decided not to stand for re-election and I’d like to acknowledge the unique mix of head and heart that Sally brought to the organisation. We all wish you well for the future. As foreshadowed in last year’s report, we finalised the purchase of a duplex property to provide additional transitional housing opportunities for women and families escaping domestic violence. After completing some refurbishments and erecting fencing this property is now a valuable addition to our portfolio for women leaving Erin House. This acquisition was particularly timely as housing affordability and availability is proving a challenge for many women seeking to re-establish themselves in the private rental market. This year we were successful in receiving funding from the Queensland Government for the GRREAT KIDS Program – a therapeutic program for children aged 5-8 and their mothers who have experienced domestic violence. The program aims to increase the emotional wellbeing of children who have experienced family violence and provides a valuable addition to our existing child centred work.


Also foreshadowed in last year’s report was our successful tender to manage Gympie Regional Council’s Pensioner Units and we have completed this transition smoothly. Many thanks to Michelle and the staff of our Housing Services for your work in making this happen. Thanks also to Michelle for organising yet another successful Community Action Sleepout – and thanks to everyone who contributed. What an amazing, generous, supportive community we live in. The Youth Service has had a busy (good busy) year. Now that the Youth Service has settled into their permanent home, the centre has been filling up with ancillary services for young people which is great to see. In particular, we value our relationship with PHN and thank them for funding to continue the medical and allied health services for young people. Young people have also been active in a weekly group, Project 180. They have provided the labour for a couple of working bees to tidy up the gardens and grounds – some much needed work that has certainly improved the amenity of the area. Thanks to all involved.

You will see on the agenda today a proposal for Community Action to merge with MINs (Multicultural Information Network Service Inc). By way of

background, earlier this year the management of MINs approached us to consider such a merger. The decision to merge with another organisation is never one taken lightly. As a Gympie-based community organisation MINs have been delivering valuable migrant settlement and multicultural services in our community for some time. As a small organisation, the possibility of merging with another organisation had been on their agenda for some time. Representatives from both organisations have been meeting to work through the pros and cons as well as the practicalities of such a merger. We know firsthand the benefits of merging smaller organisations into a larger entity. We see the work that MINs does as vital in our community. The proposal fits well with our values, particularly those of Diversity and Cultural Awareness and Commitment to Community. We are placing a motion seeking approval for the merger before members of Community Action Inc here today. The proposal has the support of both boards and I ask members to support the motion. Finally, I’d like to acknowledge and thank our awesome staff, frontline and behind the scenes, who continue to make a difference to our community. To each and every one of you, on behalf of the board – thank you for the professional work you do in challenging circumstances. You are all appreciated. Abbie Grant-Taylor, President.


CEO REPORT – JUDY BRAUER

The 2015-16 year has been a settled year - you could say, business as usual. We have followed on from an extremely busy year of growth in 2014-15 and have focussed on the

development of new programs and services. The upgrades to 24 Lawrence Street were completed (exterior re-paint, new guttering, gardening and tree removal) and the Gaming Machine Grant was successfully acquitted. The freehold purchase of a duplex was finalised with a contract price of $310,000. This property is now managed by Housing Services and supported by Erin House to provide transitional housing for women and children escaping domestic and family violence. Some additional upgrades to this property have been completed including: installation of roller doors and boundary fencing. The Housing Service commenced management of the Gympie Regional Council Pensioner Units on the 1st of October 2015. Many of these properties required extensive maintenance works and there were several vacancies. The Housing Team worked together with council to bring the properties up to standard and fill the vacancies. It has been two years since we gained Registration under the National Regulatory System for Community Housing. We are now entering our first

compliance review which is due in April 2017. In response to recommendation 85(a) of the ‘Not Now, Not Ever’ – Putting an End to Domestic and Family Violence in Qld Report, women’s shelters are transitioning from the Dept of Housing & Public Works to the Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services. The formal arrangements for this transfer is complete and Erin House will commence reporting to Department of Communities in the 2017 financial year. The work we do is often emotionally demanding therefore staff wellbeing is a focus in each of our teams. Team building days and social events provide a time for relaxing, laughing, re-grouping and caring for one another.

Christmas 2015 saw Santa’s, Elves and Angels

wreak havoc on the South Burnett wine growing region

Staff development is a priority for Community Action. We value the commitment of our staff team and we support their continued growth, both


professionally and personally. Some professional development highlights this year include:

Workplace Health & Safety Team Culture Cultural Awareness First Aid

Service Delivery

The following programs were delivered in 2015-16:

Youth Service Specialist Homelessness Service –

crisis housing and centre-based support for young people. Funding: Dept Housing & Public Works

Youth Health Clinic – free fortnightly access for young people to a GP. Funding: PHN Central Qld, Wide Bay, Sunshine Coast

Psychology Clinic – access for young people to visiting psychologists: Carmen Southam & Stephanie Maxwell Funding: Bulk-billed through Medicare

SAAP Enhancement – additional support and financial assistance for young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Funding: Dept Housing & Public Works through partnership with Integrated Family & Youth Services.

Emergency Relief – financial assistance for young people experiencing financial crisis. Funding: Dept Social Services & Dept Communities

Erin House Specialist Homelessness Service –

crisis housing and centre-based support for women and children escaping domestic and family violence. Funding: Dept Housing & Public Works

Housing Service

Same House Different Landlord Program (SHDL) – 2 properties for youth housing. Support provided by Community Action Youth Service. Funding: Dept Housing & Public Works

Community Rent Scheme (CRS) – 33 properties for transitional community housing. Funding: Dept Housing & Public Works

Community Managed Studio Units (CMSU) – 35 properties for long-term and transitional community housing. Funding: Dept Housing & Public Works

Long Term Housing – 51 properties for long-term community housing. Funding: Dept Housing & Public Works

Council Pensioner Units Program – 32 properties for aged pensioners. Funding: Capital funding from Gympie Regional Council

Emergency Relief

Financial assistance for people experiencing financial crisis – administered in partnership with Community Action Youth Service, Gympie Community Place and Tin Can Bay Resource & Referral Service. Funding: Dept Social Services


The KEIHS Program (Keys to Early Intervention in Homelessness Service) continues to operate in partnership with the Housing Service. Lions inPlace is funded by Dept Housing & Public Works to administer this program.

Judy with Jessy from KEIHS

The Department of Housing & Public Works, Sunshine Coast Service Centre staff operate a Rent Connect program from our Housing Service Office on the first and third Thursdays of each month. We are excited to announce that two new funded programs will commence in 2016-17: Funding has been received from the Department of Education and Training for a specialist children’s domestic violence counsellor. Programs will be developed and established that enhance and support the healthy functioning of parent/child relationships where domestic and family violence is an issue. Funding has been secured through PHN (Primary Health Network) for a Youth Sexual Health Worker. The purpose of this program is to increase sexual health screening rates, increase sexual health awareness and education and reduce sexually transmitted infections in young people in Gympie and surrounding areas. Community Action has entered discussions with the Gympie Family Housing Collective and the Department of Housing regarding taking on the management of the sixteen properties currently managed by the Family

Housing Collective. Negotiations will continue into 2017.

Strategic Directions

Our current Strategic Planning cycle will end in April 2017. We will commence consultations with stakeholders regarding new directions early in the new year. Much has been achieved over the 3-year period. The highlights include: Tier 3 Registration – NRSCH Purchase of 24 Lawrence Street Emergency Relief Partnership & funding agreement Purchase of duplex Partnership with PHN – Youth Health Clinic & Safe Your Sex project Partnership with Lions InPlace – KEIHS Program Community Action Sleepout – homelessness education & fundraising DV prevention – media, advertising, billboard ICE Forum DV & Children Funding Council Units Management

Community Action Sleepout

Community Action has hosted the Sleepout for the past four years. The broader community continues to support this important cause with a total of $14,000 raised thus far from the 2016 Sleepout held in August. Some of the funds raised are used to purchase swags (Backpack Beds) to distribute to homeless people. The swags are purchased from Backpack Bed for Homeless, a not-for-profit charity who partners with over 400 homeless welfare agencies to distribute the Backpack Beds to street sleeping homeless people without shelter. The


Backpack Beds are a crisis measure that give life-saving shelter. A total of 29 swags were distributed in 2015-16 to homeless people. Swag recipients receive either a purpose designed polar fleece blanket or a hand-made blanket (lovingly made and donated by local women).

The following responses were given when asked, “Where did you spend last night?”

We appreciate the support of the following people for helping to make the Sleepout a success:

Michelle Hine for organising the event

Gympie Turf Club for providing the venue

Staff and volunteers for their assistance

Sean Connelly for compering on the night

Rapid Relief Team for providing food

Community members who raised funds and braved the cold to sleep out

Donors for supporting the cause

Kelly McCabe for organising the Bunnings BBQ fundraiser

THANK YOU

I am privileged to work with a professional and caring group of people at Community Action and acknowledge the work of the leadership team (Michelle, Andrea and Bernadette), staff and board members. I thank each and every one for their dedication to their clients, to the organisation and to the wider community. I would also like to make a special mention of finance officers, Kelly and Shelley. Their scrupulous finance skills ensure that our financial and compliance obligations are met to a very high standard.

I also feel very fortunate to work in the Gympie community services sector which is filled with people who work collaboratively towards a common goal, that is, to make a positive difference in the lives of the people we serve. As we embark on another year, I encourage everyone to actively pursue our vision for a socially inclusive community without poverty, homelessness or violence. Judy Brauer, Chief Executive Officer.

3

5

4

12

1

4

0

0 5 10 15

Under 18

18-24

25-34

35-44

45-54

55-64

65+

Age of Swag Recipients

Number of Swags

52%

3% 3%7%

14%21%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%


YOUTH SERVICE REPORT

Joe, Georgianna, Julie, Andrea, Jo, Prue

Absent: Ashley

Community Action – Youth Service provides Temporary Supported Accommodation and Centre-Based Support to eligible young people aged 12-25 years. Support includes, but is not limited to providing shelter, case-management, emotional support, living skills development, educational guidance, counselling, advocacy, parenting support, sexual health support, group activities, resources, financial assistance through the Emergency Relief program, appointments with on-site Psychologists and Doctor and referrals to other services. Staff maintain a welcoming and responsive service so that young people feel supported during difficult times, but also celebrated in the good times. Support is designed to address any key

issues the young person may be experiencing to work toward client set goals whilst building individual living skills and tools for a successful transition to secure and sustainable housing. We are a one-stop –shop where disadvantaged youth feel a sense of belonging.

Client feedback

‘I found that this place is always helping. They’re friendly and so kind. I know that I will get a house asap ‘cause I believe’. ‘Thank you guys so, so much for everything. You’ve really helped us and I can’t believe our lives at the moment but you really give us hope. Thanks for always staying positive’.


‘I’ve only been here once and everyone is so kind, it is lovely to see people helping people’. ‘Walked in and walked out with somewhere to go. Lost our car (we were living in it) and had nowhere to go. Now we do. Thanks heaps guys’. ‘This is a place that makes you feel warm, welcome and accepted’. ‘We love you endlessly and are forever grateful for all your help! You are making real difference in people’s lives’. ‘Always greeted with a room full of smiles. Thank you Community Action Youth Service’.

STATISTICAL PROFILE

Throughout the 2015 – 2016 Financial Year we have supported a total of 266 adults and 55 children. We have further supported 153 informal contacts and the on-site Doctor has seen 209 appointments. 5081 bed-nights of accommodation were provided to young people and 1278 bed-nights of accommodation were provided to accompanying children:

Total: 6,359 bed nights

Average: 17 bed nights of accommodation per night

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350

Doctor Appointments

Informal Contacts

Individual Clients who are children

Individual Clients

Temporary Supported Accommodation(including children)

Total Client Numbers

2014-2015

2015-2016

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200

Financial DifficultiesHousing Affordability Stress

Housing CrisisInadequate or inappropriate dwelling conditions

Previous accommodation endedTime out from family/other situation

Relationship/family breakdownDomestic and family violence

Mental Health IssuesProblematic drug or substance use

Lack of family and/or community supportMedical Issues

Transition from other care arrangementsSexual Abuse

Non-Family Violence

Main Reason for Seeking Assistance


134 Clients (including children) were accommodated in our Temporary Supported Accommodation.

29

4

84

58

75

14

2

0 50 100

Under 10 years

10-14 years

15 -17 years

18-19 years

20 -24 years

25-29 years

Over 30 years

Age of Clients

46%54%

Sex of Client

Male Female

21%

0%1%

76%

2%

Indigenous Status of Clients

Aboriginal

Torres Strait Islander

Both Aborginal and Torres StraitIslander Origin

Neither Aboriginal nor TorresStrait Islander Origin

Unknown

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

1 day

2 to 3 days

4 to 7 days

> 1 to 2 weeks

> 2 to 14 weeks

> 14 to 26 weeks

> 26 weeks to 52 weeks

Length of Accommodation


SAAP ENHANCEMENT

The purpose of SAAP Enhancement Brokerage funds is to: • Assist young people to maintain/ obtain independent accommodation • Assist young people to address problems or issues that prevent them maintaining accommodation • Provide responses that are flexible and tailored to young people’s needs

Target Group: Young people 14-21 years of age that are homeless or at risk of homelessness, whose life circumstances are such that their levels of need are not able to be met within normal service provision or any other sources of Brokerage.

For the 2015 -2016 Financial Year 63 young people were assisted through this program.

What’s New

We were fortunate enough to receive funding from PHN for a Sexual Health Youth Worker for the 2016-2017 Financial Year. This program is designed to both test and educate young people on Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea. The program runs each Monday (outreach in Tin Can Bay, Rainbow Beach, Cooloola Cove, Mary Valley) and Tuesday (Gympie).

Sexual Health Worker

Georgianna Manthey

33%

22%8%

20%

6%

1%

1%

5%

4%

Accommodation Outcomes

Family Private Rental Dept Housing

Friends Community Housing Crisis Housing

Incarcerated Unknown Other


Community Action Youth Service provides Emergency Relief for young people who are in financial crisis and are between the ages of 12 to 25 years. Clients present to the service with an income statement and are assessed for assistance by the Resource Centre Worker. Each client can access our Emergency Relief Program up to four times in the financial year. The program runs between 1:00pm to 3:00pm Monday to Friday. Our service offers an Emergency Relief program that meets as many individual needs as possible. We can provide vouchers from Coles, Woolworths, Big W, Caltex, Fullife Pharmacy. Community Action Youth Service also works together with Victory Care Services to provide food hampers.

The majority of clients assisted through the Emergency Relief Program were females.

To encourage healthy eating and living we can also provide Mitchell’s Fruit and Vege vouchers as well as Gympie Meat Hall Vouchers. Other areas of financial assistance include: travel costs, emergency accommodation, medical procedures, specialist appointments, living expenses, rental payments, birth certificates and other general support.

In the 2015-2016 financial year, 408 clients presented to Community Action Youth Service for

Emergency Relief Assistance.

Community Action Youth Service keeps Emergency Relief stock on site to have ready to give to clients who are in need. This stock includes items such as linen, pillows and blankets, pots and pans, cooking utensils, sleeping bags, toasters, kettles, and crockery sets. We also keep a wide variety of hygiene products on hand, such as toothpaste, tooth brushes, nail clippers, shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodorant, hairbrushes, towels,

399

524

408

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

2013-2014 2014-2015 2015-2016

Number of Clients Assisted

177 231

43% 57%

Male Female


708

524

853

0

200

400

600

800

1000

2013-2014 2014-2015 2015-2016

Occasions of Assistance

face washers, tissues, first aid kits and feminine hygiene products.

Emergency Relief was provided on 853 occasions, an increase of 329 occasions as

compared to the previous year.

Through the Emergency Relief program, Community Action Youth Service can

provide young expecting mothers in need, with a baby pack that is stocked with everything that you might need to care for a new baby. Our service keeps tents and SWAGS in stock to give out to homeless youth who have no other option.

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

Total Number of Adults and Children Assisted

Adult Children

= 1,442


2015 -2016 Highlights

• Securing a grant from PHN to continue our Doctor On-site Program for the 2015-2016 Financial Year and welcoming Doctor Kate Haydock to the service.

• Securing a grant from PHN for a Sexual Health Youth Worker for the 2016-2017 Financial Year.

• ‘Project 180’ – a drop-in group that runs each Thursday morning. Breakfast, activities and socialisation all included.

• Our trip to ‘Wet n Wild’ to celebrate National Youth Week.

• New Flooring in properties. • Young Women’s Cooking/Dinner

Group.

Wet ‘n’ Wild Trip

Thank You

We would like to take the opportunity to recognise and thank all those who support Community Action Youth Service: Department of Housing and Public Works, Building and Assets Services; PHN; Doctor Sandra Peters; Doctor Malika Loeckx; Psychologist, Carmen Southam; Psychologist, Stephanie Maxwell; DrugArm, John Omond; COSY, Peter Allen; Gympie Meat Hall; Nationwide Motel; Fullife Pharmacy; Optus Gympie; Baker’s Delight Gympie; Gympie Regional

Council; Centrelink Gympie; Laguna Real Estate; Gympie Master Locksmiths; Glass Plus; and, Pauly’s Property Repairs. Thank you to all the Community Action Youth Service Staff who work above and beyond daily. To all our clients – thank you for your hard work in seeking support and changing your life. Thank you to our colleagues in Community Action. Andrea Matthews, Manager.

2016 Youth Week Celebrations

Young People Assisted with the Lawrence Street

Garden Clean-up


ERIN HOUSE REPORT

Sue, Lisa, Bernadette, Kerry, Prue

Absent: Maria If you are a woman in Australia, the risk of violence and abuse perpetrated against you is substantially higher than most other first world countries. Last year in 2015, 80 women in Australia were killed in domestic violence and we know that a woman is more likely to be killed in her home (or in immediate surrounds) by her male partner than anywhere else or by anyone else. Although we have somewhat improved the legal recognition for domestic violence and have made considerable inroads into acknowledging the seriousness and criminal nature of domestic violence, it is obvious to me that most women do not report violence to police. If the violent incident is from a current partner that the women is still

emotionally involved with, it is highly unlikely that the abuse will be reported. Yes, there is increased public awareness and we have put a lot of value and even hope in Protection Orders, still however the violence continues at alarming rates in Australian society. Perpetrators believe they have the right to behave in whatever way they choose in their own home. The perpetrator believes they have an entitlement to sex and try to minimise, blame others or justify their violence through claims of provocation. The perpetrator may lose control with family members and resort to violence but won’t do so in other social or work settings. We need to look at societal change, starting with the way we raise children


and what it is to be a nurturing, attentive and non-violent parent. There are several specific campaigns now running with a dedicated commitment to end violence against women and children. ‘The Line’ for example is a national youth campaign to address attitudes and behaviours that contribute to violence, while ‘The Red Flag’ concentrates on educating students about healthy and unhealthy relationships. Our Watch - Change the story is a shared framework for the primary prevention of violence against women and their children in Australia it is the first of its kind in the world. It outlines a consistent and integrated national approach to prevent violence against women and their children. The public certainly became more aware of the horrific nature of Domestic and Family Violence when in 2014 Luke Batty was murdered by his father in a public place, Rosie Batty became the spokesperson for Australia’s most shameful crime statistics — our domestic violence rate. Rosie’s quotes i.e. "Domestic violence can happen anywhere. Let's bring it out of the shadows” and her appointment as Australian of the Year in 2015 put the focus on what is happening in Australian families. The Luke Batty Foundation's Never Alone foundation has been set up to address domestic violence by way of education, cohesive legal and policing strategies to prioritise safety and public awareness. The White Ribbon organisation is worldwide; one we are familiar with and it has been encouraging to see the calibre of men that have signed up as ambassadors for the White Ribbon Help Stop Violence Against Women! Let the World Know Where You Stand campaign.

2015 White Ribbon Day

This positive campaign advocates to address gender inequality, male entitlement and the objectification of women by encouraging men to have a voice against violence toward women and to have those difficult conversations with other men.

Bernadette, Mayor Mick Curran & Rae Gâté

The goal is to develop a community that will not tolerate violence and holds perpetrators accountable whilst protecting victims. Currently there is still a tendency to blame victims for not reporting the abuse and wanting to maintain the relationship.


Gympie is a community that can show innovation via well managed referrals, good interagency communication and strengthening our existing services. Throughout the year we have received regular visits from our new police recruits as part of their continued training and development. Safety for families remains paramount and we continue to work with our local police to achieve best practice through an appropriate, consistent, transparent and accountable response to domestic violence.

DV Prevention Month Luncheon

ACCOMMODATED CLIENTS

It would be fair to say that we have continued to operate at capacity and on occasions when necessary we have housed families in motels for safety. 108 women and 247 children were accommodated in secure crisis accommodation at Erin House during the reporting period with a total of 6,301 bed nights being provided.

91 women had children with them while 17 women were housed on their own in our shared facility. We have seen a decline of 52% in the number of single women, while our women with children significantly increased. Of our single women housed the youngest was 17 years and the oldest was 65 years. We remain committed to our local and regional population and priority is always given to local women and children (this is important when we have only limited spaces available). Local client’s security needs may sometimes be best serviced away from the area – as always on intake the client’s safety needs are paramount. We also take clients from other areas (particularly women from other domestic violence refuges who are unsafe in their area of origin). A further 504 women and 197 children received centre based support - much of the assistance given was domestic violence counselling, Protection Order applications, safety planning, housing applications and referral, legal information and referral, support letters, group work, sessions with children and some recreational activities.

CULTURAL DIVERSITY

Australia is a culturally diverse nation and our clients certainly represent a wide range of cultural diversity. Our Indigenous clients make up 23% of our accommodated clients with Maori

30%

70%

Women

Children


and Indonesian accounting for 12% and 10%, our Lebanese, Taiwanese, Arabian, Bangladesh and French clients are represented on a smaller scale between 2% and 4%.

It was a little unusual that we recorded no Filipino women in our accommodation service during the 12-month reporting period however we have supported several Filipino clients with centre based support throughout the year. There is a notable increase in the number of clients identifying as Indonesian and Taiwanese.

HIGH INCIDENCES OF PHYSICAL ABUSE

Domestic violence has severe and persistent effects on physical and mental health. Our clients often come into refuge after they have sustained physical injuries and during this reporting period we find that 68% of clients have suffered physical abuse. The high incidents of sexual abuse that so often goes unreported is another disturbing factor in Domestic Violence

and we are hearing more women than ever speaking out against this. The current public awareness perhaps has allowed many women to be more outspoken about their abuse and women are seeing statistics like the recent studies from VicHealth where it was determined that domestic violence is the leading risk factor contributing to death, disability and illness in Victorian women aged 15 to 44. We know from ABS statistics and other surveys that women who suffer childhood abuse, including those sexually abused as children, are over-represented among women experiencing partner violence and again when looking at our intake figures almost 70% of our clients have reported being abused as children. Children’s witnessing, or exposure to domestic violence has been increasingly recognised as a form of child abuse, both in Australia and internationally. Forcing a child to live with sustained violence against a primary caregiver constitutes both emotional and psychological abuse. Losing children to the welfare system is a major concern for many women affected by domestic and family violence and often this reporting to ‘Welfare’ is also a common threat used by perpetrators to make their partners stay with them.

2% 3% 3%3%

4%

12%

10%

23%

40%

Cultural Diversity

French Arabian Bangladeshi

Lebanese Taiwanese Maori

Indonesian Indigenous Anglo


CARE AND SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN AT ERIN HOUSE

Children’s Worker: Maria

GRREAT Kids Program: Lisa

Research on children exposed to domestic violence indicates that there are a range of impacts that such children are likely to experience and primarily these include anxiety, depression, school difficulties, low self-esteem, loneliness, temperament problems and impaired cognitive functioning. Children are always supported and encouraged by our team and we consider it essential to offer specialised assistance to our families with dedicated workers Maria and Lisa.

Maria maintains good relationships with our local schools and we continue to be supported by our school community and the students at St Patrick’s College. As a child, focused service, we are grateful to have Maria, who will never let go of the inner child, valuing children and making it safe for them to talk about feelings and to always reassure them. We are committed to providing children with alternative learning and skills for problem solving and conflict resolution.

We regard our work with children to be the most important initiative for preventing family violence – walk it out, talk it out or take time out. Children are told they can come to us if they need to talk and that Erin House is a safe place where everyone strives to be fair, share and treat others with respect.

GRREAT KIDS PROGRAM

Community Action Erin House has been excited to provide a much-needed new program: the GRREAT KIDS program. Growing Resilient Relationships, Education and Therapy provides education and therapy for children aged 0-8 years and their mothers who have been affected by domestic and family violence. This program aims to provide a holistic response to families to bolster their resilience by healing and reinforcing their familial and community relationships, and by facilitating the development of protective factors. GRREAT KIDS offers counselling for mothers and children on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at Erin House. The GRREAT KIDS program employs varied therapeutic interventions to support children to reconnect with their mother in positive ways to recover from trauma and bolster individual and familial resilience. It also offers free professional development training to day care centres in the Gympie region with the aims of promoting greater awareness of the impact of D&FV and building community connectedness. According to the Australian Early Development Census (2015) trends show a significant decrease in our community’s children’s social competence: a vital domain for the development for social and emotional wellbeing, and academic and career opportunities. Compared with the


national developmental vulnerability rate of one in five children, Gympie children are at an increased rate of risk: one in three Gympie children are developmentally vulnerable when beginning school. Initially, it was proposed that the program would be able to provide services for 40 clients within the one-year funded program. In the past 3 and half months, 20 clients have accessed the program and feedback has been very positive. Such results indicate that this is a much-needed service that could and should be extended to meet a huge, under-supported, disadvantaged and valuable population.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

We have a supportive and caring community, every year when we look over what has been made available and what has been donated to our families we are so grateful, it helps us immensely with our work and gives our families hope. There are a wide range of Gympie businesses, trades and service clubs that continue to support us and have shown great generosity.

OUR CHALLENGES & WISH LIST

We have had several clients exit to unsatisfactory situations due to the increasing housing shortage: Wish – that there is a significant building regime to

increase Department of Housing stock that includes affordable housing for older single people. Children not attending school (often a history of non-school attendance with no consequence): Wish – a dedicated system that holds school attendance as a priority, with strategies to ensure children do not miss out on an education. No drug and or alcohol rehabilitation centre available for Women with their children to access: Wish – a multidisciplinary, holistic centre designed for women with addictions that includes facilities to house and support their children who have also been affected by their existing environment.

ERIN HOUSE STAFF

The Erin House staff team is fully committed to the empowerment of women and while the work can be extremely challenging there is also tremendous satisfaction when you see how women and children can radically improve their lives in all aspects including safety – we work, live and strive for these good outcomes. Recently we had a client refer to us as ‘the most amazingly different individuals working together as a close unified team’ and we are more than happy with that. It is a privilege to be part of the Erin House team and we extend that to our larger Community Action Team. Bernadette Wright, Manager.


HOUSING SERVICE REPORT

Renee, Michelle, Bella, Katrina, Kay, Pamela

Absent: Emma

It seems amazing that another year has passed. So much has happened in that time. I’m delighted to report that Community Action – Housing Services has had another successful year providing support and accommodation to people in the Gympie community. We currently manage 155 properties in Gympie and the surrounding areas. 19 properties are managed under the Community Rent Scheme program. These properties are owned by private owners and we lease them under a Headlease arrangement. Properties range from 1 bedroom units to 4 bedroom houses. These are transitional tenancies and tenants can stay between 6 and 24 months. 14 properties owned by the Department

of Housing are also managed under the Community Rent Scheme program. Property sizes include 2 and 3 bedroom units and 3 bedroom houses including 2 houses in Kingaroy. These are transitional tenancies and tenants can stay between 6 and 24 months. Our Tenancy Support worker Bella assists tenants in the transitional tenancies to address any barriers they may have experienced in accessing the private rental market. Our aim is to offer support and encouragement our tenants so that they can move into the private rental market with ease. 19 properties are owned by Community Action and managed under the Long Term Housing program. These properties range from 1 bedroom units


to one 5-bedroom house. These tenancies continue in the longer term and provide an alternative to public housing. 32 properties are owned by the Department of Housing and managed under the Long Term Housing program. These properties range from 2 bedroom units to one 4-bedroom house. 35 units are owned by the Department of Housing and managed under the Community Managed Studio Units program. These units are furnished and tenancies are longer term. 32 one bedroom units are owned by Gympie Regional Council. These units are longer term and are intended for aged pensioners. The units are located in Tin Can Bay, Imbil, Kandanga, Kilkivan and Goomeri.

We manage 2 two bedroom units owned by Community Action that are intended for clients exiting Erin House. These properties are transitional for a maximum of 6 months. We also have 2 properties that are owned by the Department of Housing and managed under the Same House Different Landlord program. This program is designed to assist Youth Service clients to transition into a public housing tenancy. We work closely with the Youth Service team who provide the Same House Different Landlord tenants with support during a period of 6 to 12 months and after this time the Department takes over management of the tenancy.

It’s now been a full 12 months since we took over the management of the 32 one bedroom units owned by Gympie Regional Council. The transition phase went very well and all tenants seem to be

settled. I’m pleased to say that the vacancy rates are extremely low on these units and we have had a good supply of applicants when vacancies have arisen.

Council Units: Imbil, Goomeri, Kandanga

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

CRS Private CRS Dept Council Units LTH Owned LTH Managed CMSU EH SHDL

Housing Streams by Number of Bedrooms

1 Bedroom 2 Bedrooms 3 Bedrooms 4 bedrooms 5 Bedrooms


We have improved the condition of several of the units and through our regular inspections we are keeping maintenance up to date. The added income we receive from these units has increased our Service’s capacity and has allowed us to employ another part-time worker.

This worker is Renee Nielsen, our Housing Assistant. Renee supports the Housing team by maintaining the inspection schedules and tracking our statutory compliance requirements. These extra duties are a great quality improvement strategy for our Service and a welcome relief to myself and the Housing Workers.

The additional income has also enabled us to employ Kay Archer in the position of Administration Assistant. Kay is on reception; greeting visitors and answering the phones four mornings per week. Even though she has only recently joined our team, Kay has already impressed us with a variety of skills and her adaptability.

The 2016 Sleepout for Homelessness was another great success. This year we spent the night of 5th August at the Gympie Showgrounds sleeping in and around the grandstand area. This represents one of the many places that homeless people may seek shelter and safety when they don’t have any other place to sleep. Over 80 people attended the Sleepout, with 59 people sleeping out.

So far this year we have raised over $16,750 to help relieve homelessness in Gympie. That brings our total raised since our first Sleepout in 2013 to $65,000. Part of this money goes to buying swags that we give to people who are sleeping rough, the remainder of the money is put towards our goal of establishing generalised crisis accommodation in the future. The support we have received from the Gympie community for the Sleepout has

been truly inspiring. Business owners and individuals have raised money for the Sleepout through a variety of different activities. These include yoga classes, dance exhibitions, BBQs, collection tins, even jam making. The Cooloola Christian Radio held a radio-athon and donated a portion of the money they raised to alleviate homelessness.

Michelle with Vince & Kerry

From Cooloola Christian Radio

We try to assist as many homeless single men as possible into our housing at Wadell Road. We work closely with the Department of Housing team in Maroochydore to have Housing and Bond Loan applications processed quickly. Often these men arrive with very few belongings. Bella, our Tenancy Support Worker has collaborated with Mary Condon from St Vincent de Paul to provide welcome packs for tenants going into Wadell Road. These packs contain toiletries, cooking items, blankets and bedding and food.

Housing Services Team

Michelle Hine – Manager Pamela Parkinson – Housing Worker Emma Verkerk - Housing Worker Bella Lucchesi – Tenancy Support Worker Katrina Martini – Administration Renee Nielsen – Housing Assistant/Admin Kay Archer – Reception/Administration


CMSU CRS LTH SHDL

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Tenancy Exits by Housing Stream

tenant transferred

homeless or crisis accommodation

family or friends

private rental

social housing (public housing orcommunity housing.)

institution (hospital or correctionalfacility)

0 10 20 30 40 50

CMSU

CRS

LTH

SHDL

Average Length of Tenancy by Months

Average length of tenancies ended during thereporting period

Average length of active tenancies

12

11

21

9

2

New Tenancies per Program

Long-Term CMSU CRS Council SHDL

12

121

26

8 2 4

Distribution of Properties by Town

Goomeri Gympie Imbil

Kandanga Kilkivan Kingaroy

Tin Can Bay

91%

4% 5%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Occupied Under Repairs Vacant

Vacancy Rates


This is a poem written by one of the men we recently housed:

THANK YOU

Thank you to everyone who assisted and supported us throughout the year especially Department of Housing and Public Works staff in Brisbane, Maroochydore, Maryborough and Bundaberg. Our community partners including Community Action - Youth Service, Community Action - Erin House, KEIHS, Centrelink, Gympie Community Place, Avenues, Weeroona, CHSN, Bravo, Suncare, St Vincent de Paul, Salvation Army, Victory Care, Uniting Care Communities and the Rapid Relief Team. Our thanks to all our contractors especially About Freedom, Gary Alexander, Ian Simpson, Groves Electrical, Glass Plus, Shore Clean, Gympie Master Locksmiths, Russ’s Gentle Cleaning, Brisbane Electrical, Brad Shields Plumbing, Evergreen, Flexible Termites, Abacus Electrical, Pauly’s Property Repairs, and GTS Tree

Services for all your hard work throughout the year. Thank you to our Lessors for staying on top of maintenance, completing upgrades and keeping your properties in such good condition. To our clients, it has been a truly rewarding experience working with you throughout the past year and we thank you for continuing to make the most of the opportunities that Community Action can provide. Michelle Hine, Manager.

2015 Client Christmas Party

53-year-old Lost the lot. Divorce

On the streets. Nambour Winter. Playground cubbyhole

Underground carpark. Concrete. Arctic Lost

Clothes on back Nowhere to turn

Grog Sick

Friends gone. My love gone Cancer sux. RIP K*

Love always I*. I’m sorry Gympie and shelter. Grateful

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Homelessness is not a joke

Bless the kindness of strangers


Documents

2015-2016 · 2017-02-28 · Manager Dip Community Services Coordination Cert IV Counselling Dip Child, Youth & Family Intervention COMPLIMENTARY SERVICES JESSY HART – KEIHS (Keys