Make a connection with us. we’re happy to place you on our hard-copy or eMail based lists to receive updates on the work of connections. alternatively, you can Make a donation helping us provide a range of innovative and early intervention prograMs that support Marginalised children, young people and their faMilies.

CONNECT WITH CONNECTIONS

CONNECTIONS 31 Hardner road Mount Waverley vICtorIa 3149 auStralIa • WWW.ConneCtIonS.orG.au

Connections UnitingCare 31 Hardner Road Mount Waverley Victoria 3149 Australia T 03 9271 0800 F 03 9271 0888 enquiries@connections.org.au www.connections.org.au

ABN: 90 676 577 035

Edited by Kirrilee Torney, Communications officer and Matt Clear, Manager, Communications and Fundraising

Designed by Studio Binocular. Photos by Shane Bell unless stated otherwise.

Connections aims to reduce our impact on the environment. this Connections publication is printed carbon neutral on recycled paper using vegetable based inks, no isopropyl alcohol and world’s best practice Environmental and Quality Management Systems.

CONTaCT CONNECTIONS

Connections UnitingCare Direct Debit Request

By returning this form you request Connections unitingCare to arrange for funds to be debited from your account at the financial institution identified. We will endeavour to debit the funds on the first day of each month (or as close to that as possible). If you wish to change or cancel any aspect to this arrangement please call 03 9271 0800 and ask to speak to the Communications and Fundraising department of Connections.

Both signatures required if joint account

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PRIVACY POLICY: Connections acknowledges and respects the privacy of all individuals. the agency will comply with the Privacy Principles contained in the Privacy amendment (Private Sector) act 2000 (Commonwealth), the Information Privacy act 2000 (vic) and the Health records act 2001 (vic). you can ask to see our Privacy Policy. If you have any questions call 03 9271 0800 and ask to speak to the Communications and Fundraising department of Connections.

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I want to become a Connections Community Partner, by donating each month(all donations of $2 or more are tax deductible).

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Post this coupon to Communications and Fundraising, Connections unitingCare, reply Paid 2240, Mount Waverley victoria 3149.

Fax this coupon to 03 9271 0888Email this coupon to fundraising@connections.org.au

or you can call 03 9271 0800 and ask to speak to the Communications and Fundraising department of Connections to discuss options.

Thank you for your support.

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SEND THIS NOW

aRE YOU a CONNECTION COMMUNITY PaRTNER?

as a Connections Community Partner your regular gift of $20 per month ($5 per week) is one of the most effective ways to contribute to our crucial work with marginalised and disadvantaged children, young people and families.

these regular monthly contributions are more than the sponsorship of just one child. they support children, young people, families and the broader community at a very local level. they help us deliver specialised support for people in need enabling us to get in early and create a real difference in people’s lives

» $55 will fund emergency accommodation needs for a homeless family as we work with them to overcome their crisis.

» $40 will fund an intense family support/counselling session for a low income family in crisis (due to difficulties including poverty, drug and alcohol addiction and family violence)

» $100 will fund a community education, parenting and playgroup session for a family as part of our culturally sensitive and linguistically targeted community development program.

» $200 will find our early intervention, prevention and divisionary program that offers young people an opportunity to channel their energy, providing a real second chance for those who have already come into the contact with the Juvenile Justice System.

Join today as a Connections Community Partner, call 1800 137 036 or visit www.connections.org.au/ccp

SuMMER 2010

WWW.CONNECTIONS.ORg.AU

CONNECTIONS NEWS

MESSaGE FROM aNGELa FORBES, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

CONNECTIONS CHRISTMaS CaRDS

Welcome to the Summer issue of the Connections News. In this issue you can read about dreams coming true for young people as we have been able to fund a scholarship for an impressive young athlete... in a letter from her family her Mother said: ‘We wanted to say thank you from the very bottom of our hearts for making this happen for Serena...’

And, you can read about our unique Starting out program and young people graduating from our Peer Support training... ‘I feel privileged to be a part of something that has changed my life in many ways,’ said one of the graduates.’

You can also read about our Annual WJ Craig lecture and the results of the 2010 Connections unitingCare anti-Poverty awards. these are all impressive stories. Stories of young people working hard to overcome challenges and make a difference in the community. Connections is very much a part of the community, working hard to support people to take control of their lives – we’re there when people need us and we’re also there to remind people about the importance of being there as a community to support people in need.

Especially at this time of the year, I would remind you that if you can, please join as

a Connections Community Partner – your regular gift is one of the most effective ways to contribute to our crucial work with marginalised and disadvantaged children, young people and families. every best wish to you and your family for the festive season and new year.

With best wishes,

Angela Forbes Chief Executive Officer

CONNECTIONS 31 Hardner road Mount Waverley vICtorIa 3149 auStralIa • WWW.ConneCtIonS.orG.au

Have you ordered your Connections Christmas card featuring an image generously donated by world-renowned picture book creator Graham Base? Some of Graeme’s published credits include, The Sign of the Seahorse, Engima: A Magical Mystery, The Waterhole, The Eleventh Hour and arguably his most famous book, Animalia which has sold over three million copies world-wide. all proceeds from the sale help to fund our work - this card is the perfect opportunity to support the work of Connections.

You can also make your donation to our Christmas Food & Gift appeal. Donate non-perishable food and gifts to our Santa Cave now.

For more information on the Christmas card and the appeal please visit www.connections.org.au/christmas

Connections UnitingCare is a community organisation with a long and proud history of supporting marginalised and disadvantaged people.

www.connections.org.au

This unique card design has been generously donated by world renowned picture book creator Graeme Base with thanks to Penguin Group (Australia). Graeme is the creator of classic books such as Animalia, The Eleventh Hour, The Sign of the Seahorse, Enigma: A Magical Mystery and The Waterhole.

Proceeds from the sale of this card will make a big difference in the lives of many marginalised and disadvantaged people.

Artwork by Graeme Base © Doublebase Pty. Ltd. 2009 reproduced with permission from Penguin Group (Australia).

Season’sGreetings

The Connections Starting Out program has been boosted by the graduation of its newest Peer Support Workers.

Starting out offers a training course every second year for young parents who would like to develop their knowledge and further their skills in order to support other young parents in their community. this training can also be a step towards future education or employment.

Peer Support training graduate Skye was excited to finish the program and thankful for the support provided by the Starting out family.

‘I feel privileged to be a part of something that has changed my life in many ways. Becoming a mother at the age of 19 was a challenge and my future was blurry because I had no idea what to expect next.

‘With the support from Connections, their Peer Support Workers and especially Connections staff member lian tunks and my family, parenting became a little easier. I’ve accomplished more than I expected and I plan to look at my future and keep exceeding and pursuing my dreams because I have hope and I know I’m always going to have support,’ she said.

through the Peer Support training course Skye and her group learnt about a range of subjects including child development and behaviour, parenting, the body, self care, adolescence and sexuality.

one of the highlights of the training for Skye was the ‘Mother Goose’ session, presented by Joan Quagliano, which taught the group all about bonding with your child and showed them ways to help other parents do the same.

‘I took a lot home with me that day and now I sing, dance and story tell to my son a lot more, I never knew how important bonding with your child was,’ Skye said.

‘I feel that I’m a more confident mother and now I have more confidence in myself as a young parent. Peer Support training has made me see a perspective on life and how much it has to offer me, so I would like to say a big thank you to everyone at Connections.’

By the age of 12, Serena already had four national championship titles under her belt. a talented high jumper and shot putter, it was sports aerobics that became her number one passion training, up to ten hours each week. Having reached five National Championships, both as a single performer and as part of a team, her dream was to one day go to the World Championships and represent australia.

‘Aerobics is my life! It is what I wake up for in the morning and I honestly don’t know where I would be without it. It helps me get through the days that when I don’t think I can go on anymore.’

Serena’s dream was realised earlier this year, as she and her teammates became the first ever team to make it to the World Championships to represent australia. However, Serena and her family were not able to afford the costs associated with attending, in fact, the family were really struggling.

‘My goal was always to go to the World Championships, now that it is really happening; my goal is to do my very best.’

With the support of Connections, Serena received a grant to the value of $2,500 that enabled her to represent Australia at the Federation of International Sports, Aerobics and Fitness World Championships in the Netherlands in October where they placed fifth overall. this was a remarkable achievement for the team as they were the first Australian Fitness Team to ever reach the finals.

‘We wanted to say thank you from the very bottom of our hearts for making this happen for Serena,’ Serena’s mother Kate said. ‘If it wasn’t for your highly generous contribution that enabled Serena to be a part of this she would not have been able to shine and enjoy such a wonderful experience.’

South Eastern Chances provides support for children and young people like Serena. the entry point for access to funding must be children and young people up to the age of 25, who may experience limited opportunity to achieve their full potential resulting from a lack of financial resources, emotional support or social disconnectedness – applicants must be able to demonstrate

low income as well as a natural ability or a demonstrated level of success in a particular area.

The benefits of South Eastern Chances can be far-reaching, propelling young people on to bigger and better things. as the coordinator of the program, Connections believes that by supporting and encouraging vulnerable children and young people to develop their interest and talents and pursue their dreams this will contribute to providing a better chance for them individually and the broader community into the future.

To help Connections give young people the chance to shine, donate now or visit www.connections.org.au for more information about this unique scholarship program.

GIVING YOUNG PEOPLE THE CHaNCE TO SHINE

NEW BEGINNINGS FOR STaRTING OUT PEER SUPPORT GRaDUaTES

FIND OUT MORE

the 2010 Connections unitingCare annual report is out now. In it we focus on the achievements made in our core work areas over the last twelve months and publish an interview with a victorian aboriginal Child Care agency (vaCCa) staff member that is co-located with Connections.

If you would like a copy of our annual Report, call 03 9271 0800 and ask to speak to the Communications and Fundraising Department or download a copy from www.connections.org.au/publications

The Uniting Church and UnitingJustice, along with a diverse group of twenty environment, faith, social, development and union groups, have come together for the first time to call for a price on carbon to be part of the platform for negotiations of the next Federal Government. The group includes aCOSS, aCTU, GetUp, World Vision and the WWF.

the unitingJustice national director, rev. elenie Poulos, spoke at the Civil Society Press Conference following release of the statement. Her commentary on ‘a credible plan on pollution and climate change’ starts as follows:

‘the uniting Church in australia has long argued that to ensure the future of our planet, we need to take fast and serious action to reduce pollution.

‘We have witnessed first-hand, the devastation that climate change is already having on our neighbours in the Pacific and throughout the low-lying regions of South-east asia. our partner churches and the peoples of the Pacific are calling on australia, as a wealthy neighbour and as the major polluter in the region, to take responsibility and act to reduce the effects of climate change.

‘While we all need to do everything we can as individuals, families and groups in community to reduce our own carbon footprint, this action alone is not enough. the key to making a difference lies with the development of credible government policies designed to shift us to a cleaner, more energy efficient, more sustainable economy.

‘A price on carbon is not all we need to do, but it is one of the most critical tools.’

Connections takes caring for the environment very seriously. We have a very active staff-initiated Environment Committee that has driven initiatives like carbon off-setting our fleet of vehicles and using a carbon neutral printer for publication like this newsletter. To do your part, you can even order a barista-friendly reusable Connections KeepCup to help the environment. To find out more about all of our environment initiatives, go to www.connections.org.au/environment

Connections was honoured to have Yorta Yorta woman and Chief Executive Officer of the Victorian aboriginal Child Care agency (VaCCa) Muriel Bamblett presenting the 24th annual WJ Craig Lecture. In her speech entitled, Just Terms and Fair Treatment: Towards a New National Story for Aboriginal and non-Indigenous Australia, Muriel spoke about the continual hardships that face Indigenous australians stating that ‘any attempts to address disadvantage without understanding and protecting Indigenous rights and addressing foundational issues are likely to continue to be unsuccessful.’

In her thought provoking and moving speech, Muriel spoke about the need for a renewed treaty between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities to ensure that each australian has the right to social inclusion. Muriel said ‘…I believe that the answer for our children does lie in self-determination and in our continued ability to maintain our cultural connection.’

The event also saw the presentation of the Connections unitingCare anti-Poverty awards. Michael d’rosario was announced as the main recipient this year for his work in founding the nexus Foundation. the nexus Foundation focuses on the redress of poverty with the goal of supporting community organisations. nexus’ most recent project has been developing low cost computing solutions to be sent to developing nations.

As part of the Nexus Foundation, Michael was instrumental in setting up the Hope Scholars program that funds the tertiary education of some of the poorest students in South east asia and australia. Michael has also served as the Australian Youth Ambassador for Development in Vietnam and is the editor of the journal The Analyst that focuses on increasing awareness around issues of poverty and injustice.

‘With the support of Connections UnitingCare and other supporting agencies, we’re going to be able to mobilise around 300 smart book devices

into Africa. It is a drop in the ocean I will acknowledge that, I address that each and every day, I am nonetheless still proud of what has been afforded to us and what we will hopefully be able to do down the track,’ Michael said.

encouragement awards were also presented to three fine young australians for their work on poverty alleviation. after volunteering for two years with the not-for-profit organisation called destiny rescue, Hayley French used her skills as photographer to create a book of photos of her time in Cambodia that she intends to sell in support of the work of destiny rescue. Fraser Gough founded the Mala’Bi Foundation orphanage Project that provides educational scholarships for graduating students of the Indonesian orphanage. and, Kumari Middleton co-founded Mayibuye South africa, working with disadvantaged youth in South africa and is now branching out to work with local australian communities particularly in the Gippsland area.

THE UNITING CHURCH JOINS THE CaLL FOR a PRICE ON CaRBON

24TH aNNUaL WJ CRaIG LECTURE & PRESENTaTION OF CONNECTIONS UNITINGCaRE aNTI-POVERTY aWaRDS

2010 aNNUaL REPORT

PHoto: BaCK leFt FraSer GouGH, adrIan Pyle, MICHael d’roSarIo, KuMarI MIddleton, FIona Hanlon, anGela ForBeS, Hayley FrenCH

FIND OUT MORE

FIND OUT MORE

PHoto: MurIel BaMBlett