TheSaint

St Vincent de Paul Society (SA) Newsletter

Issue 24Spring 2014

My Job is to Get Well

I was born 61 years ago in WA and lived there until 1974, when I was 40 years old. After finishing school I enrolled at the University of WA where I completed four years of a Psychiatry Degree. During this time two of my very close friends at university, also studying Psychiatry, committed suicide. This prompted me to change my course to that of a Nursing Degree with a psychiatric qualification. I worked for Swanbourne Hospital (also known as Graylands Hospital) as a Psychiatric Nurse for seven years following my graduation.

In 1974 I moved to Adelaide, South Australia as I was successful in gaining employment at Glenside Hospital.

My work at Glenside also led to work at Hillcrest Hospital and eventually James Nash House (a forensic mental health treatment facility located in Adelaide’s north east). I worked at James Nash House until 1991 when a patient assaulted me with a knife, stabbing me in the eye and causing me to lose sight in that eye.

I felt I was no longer able to continue nursing after being assaulted and decided to open an eatery at Paddy’s Market in Pooraka. My marriage also began to develop difficulties at this time. My inability to work in my desired profession, the inevitable financial strain which resulted after my WorkCover payments ended and the severe loss of confidence I experienced all took a heavy toll on my family. The hurdles we faced were too much to bear and my wife and I found the gap between us had grown too large to reconcile. I eventually left to live in Queensland in 1992. I found work in a psychiatric facility in south east Queensland and stayed there until I decided to move back to Adelaide in December 1997 as I wanted to reconnect with my family.

Once back in Adelaide I found it difficult to survive. Forced to live on the streets, I eventually found my way to the men’s homeless shelter (Vincentian Centre) in Whitmore Square where I got a bed and some help.

In 1999 I was granted the Disability Support Pension due to the loss of sight in one of my eyes as a result of the attack eight years earlier. Late in 2013 I again tried to reconnect with my family – unfortunately this still has not happened yet.

Even with the Disability Support Pension I found it hard to support myself and again turned to the Vincentian Centre for help. I was given a single room straight away and I was grateful for the privacy and safety it provided me.

After 5 weeks in the Vincentian Centre I was offered the opportunity of moving to Vincent House. I immediately jumped at the chance to move in as soon as I saw

the property. I was fortunate to live in Vincent House for 5 months where I was enjoying peace and privacy before moving into a ‘Cottage Flat’ at the end of June 2014. I am relieved and proud to say that this will be my forever home.

Recently being diagnosed with bone cancer I have now completed my radiotherapy treatment and have commenced chemotherapy – of which I have completed several of the treatment steps so far. I have to contribute financially to my radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatments, as well as buying my prescribed medications out of my Disability Support Pension. Thankfully, most of my medications are subsidised, but it is a struggle to meet all costs of the necessary treatments. I have no option but to pay as I want to live. It currently costs me $150 every week just for the medication necessary for me to stay alive. The Vincentian Centre supports me as best they can by occasionally delivering a food hamper which is much appreciated. I even received a TV and DVD player from Mike (Director of the Vincentian Centre) so that I can rest in bed following my treatments.

Mike has continued to provide support for me and works closely with Hutt Street so that I do not have to worry about my future accommodation. He says it’s his job to look after that and my job is to get well.

Alex kindly agreed to share his story with participants of the 2014 CEO Sleepout held at Government House. Alex was daunted by the experience of speaking to so many people and recovering from treatment at the time however he was equally determined to tell his story, and we warmly thank him for that.

St Vincent de Paul Society (SA) Newsletter

Issue 24Spring 2014

Providing Life’s Essentials

As you would be aware, the Federal Government has initiated a review of welfare payments and associated

support services. It is, of course, appropriate for Government to review the effectiveness of its social support programs from time to time.

The Reference Group on Welfare Reform recently issued an interim report titled: “A New System for Better Employment and Social Outcomes”. It canvases a number of possible reforms to welfare payments and support processes including employment programs.

The report opens with some sound observations such as the following:

Long-term reliance on income support increases the risks of poor health, low self-esteem and social isolation. It can also have intergenerational effects. Children who grow up in households with long periods on income support are more likely to have poor education, employment and social outcomes. In contrast, employment generates clear financial, health and social benefits for individuals, families and communities.

We can only agree with these observations. These are issues we see continually in our home visits and other programs where we interact with people in need however it is how these issues are dealt with that is important to us and the people we assist.

The report goes on to say:

To maximise employment and social outcomes, and to remain sustainable over the longer term, Australia’s income support system needs to have a stronger employment focus. It should provide adequate support while encouraging more people to work to their capacity. It should also be simpler and more coherent.

The broader social support system should work in tandem with the income support system to assist those most in need. This includes well-functioning employment services, housing assistance, child care, and early intervention and integrated services for people and families with complex needs, such as homelessness, mental health conditions and drug or alcohol addiction.

As we read further into the report it becomes apparent that a numbers and dollars based approach appears to drive many of the proposed reforms.

As Vincentians, we see the faces of the poor and disadvantaged and the issues they face in our day to day interactions with them. It is our privilege to work with them and learn from them. Understanding the real issues faced by the people we assist will drive our responses to the proposed reforms. The response by the Society will be based on ensuring that people are treated with dignity, respect and justice. As John Falzon (National CEO) said recently ‘the aim of the system must be primarily to alleviate poverty and ensure that no one is denied the essentials of life. The aim should not be humiliation nor control.’

Whatever reforms come about, we will continue to strive to provide the people we assist with a ‘hand up’, not just a hand out. We will do this by respecting their dignity, sharing our hope, and encouraging them to take control of their own destiny.

The Society relies on our generous donors and supporters to ensure that we will always be there for people to turn to in their time of need, regardless of the changes that come about through this government review.

Letter of Thanks

One of Vinnies’ customers has a grandson who suffers from ‘High Functioning Asperger’s Syndrome’. He did not speak until he was seven years old and often had violent fits which stemmed from his frustration at not being able to communicate effectively.

On his 12th birthday his grandmother gave him an eight set volume of factual books which she had purchased from a Vinnies store. The books contained details on the weather, desert and water environments and outer space among others. The books were in excellent condition and the grandmother said there was no way she could have afforded them had they been new.

The grandson was so thrilled with the gift from his grandmother that he kept saying it was the best present he had ever received. These books opened up a new world for him. He gained knowledge and confidence from them. His grandmother says he is a different child now and he even went on to top the NAPLAN examination for his year level in his school region. He was even given an award for his achievement. He was so proud.

The boy asked his grandmother if she had bought the books from Vinnies and she said ‘yes’. He constantly asks his grandmother to thank the volunteers at Vinnies as these books have helped to change his life.

We thank the boy’s grandmother for sharing her family’s story with us. Hearing the wonderfully positive outcomes which come from generous donations made to us is truly heart-warming and reinforces that through the act of giving we can make a difference in someone’s life.

Fred’s Van at Kilburn

Vinnies’ Fred’s Van service, which offers a free, warm, nutritious meal to men, women and children who are doing it tough in our community, has opened up a new weekly service in Kilburn.

Serving meals every Thursday night, this new service operates from the Kilburn Community Centre (59 Gladstone Road, Kilburn). Fred’s Van anticipates they will serve each week approximately 70 people – half of which will be young children. Kilburn was determined as the newest site for Fred’s Van due to the increase in calls for assistance we have experienced from this community. Fred’s Van supports some of the most vulnerable people in our community who experience a range of issues such as homelessness, social isolation and unemployment. Those forced to live rough can access Fred’s Van for a hot, nutritious meal, blankets, clothing and food vouchers, donated books, social connection and referrals to other community service and Government agencies. The service provides nutritious meals and take home hampers with the support of its 460 volunteers.

A Community Doing Something About It

Fred’s Van has been providing a warm and nutritious meal to people experiencing disadvantage and homelessness across Adelaide for 25 years and in Port Lincoln since 2011. Now communities in the Spencer Gulf region have come together to establish a Fred’s Van service in Port Pirie.

Due to the continuing tough economic climate, an increasing number of people in the Spencer Gulf region have been seeking assistance from Vinnies. This reinforces the sad reality that many are unable to face a future without support from us.

Through the Society’s various services we are able to support, assist and most importantly provide a hand up to people at greatest risk of experiencing social exclusion, disadvantage or homelessness.

As a result of wanting to support this local community, a Fred’s Van service in Port Pirie was established earlier this year. Operating from Vinnies’ premises at 91 Gertrude Street, Port Pirie, Fred’s Van serves warm, nutritious meals each Sunday night.

July saw this local community come together to raise valuable funds required to support the on-going requirements for Fred’s Van in Port Pirie through a community sleepout.

A great night was had by all with approximately $10,000 being raised which will support this vital community service over the coming year. It is expected that this service will provide 1,000 meals in its’ first 12 months alone.

The St Vincent de Paul Society in Port Pirie has been assisting members of the local and neighbouring communities since 1930. This is a great example of what can happen when dedicated people want to make something wonderful happen for their community.

Vinnies volunteers Bill and Estelle Larsen

Redevelopment at Coober Pedy

We have just commenced with redevelop-ment work at our Coober Pedy site which will see the old store demolished to make way for a new, larger building.

The decision to redevelop the Coober Pedy Family Centre site was a combination of the existing facility no longer meeting the community’s requirements and wanting to invest in the area and maintain our presence in the region which is desperate for our assistance.

The decision to build a new Family Centre instead of renovate the current building was to ensure we are able to cater to the current and future requirements of this region. The new centre will have greater car parking facilities, provide a disabled front access, be more comfortable as the building will be well sealed, insulated and air conditioned as well as being a larger building generally. The larger floor space dedicated to the shop will enable us to stock more items required by men, women and children who are facing challenging circumstances in this region.

New Vinnies Family Centres

New Vinnies Family Centres have recently been opened in Campbelltown and Parkside. Both of these suburbs were not currently supported by a Vinnies shop – although we do have volunteers in these areas that provide support via our home visitation program.

We are also in the process of opening another store which will be located in The Junction Shopping Centre at Valley View. The new store locations were specifically chosen as they are easily accessible by public transport, on main roads (Lower North East Road, Glen Osmond Road and Grand Junction Road) as well as being in areas where we have experienced an increase in assistance requests.

The new larger stores as well as offering better parking and access for shoppers and people seeking support from us, come at an ideal time as typically winter is when more people turn to Vinnies for help. Keeping in line with trends over the past few years, we again experienced an increase in demand for assistance during the winter months. With energy prices and the cost of living continuing to put pressure on household budgets, more South Australian families are struggling to make ends meet. This is when they turn to Vinnies for help.

Furniture Donations Still Needed

We are still experiencing a critical shortage of good quality furniture and seek community support by way of donations.

Our shops are patronised by over 425,000 shoppers each year. Many people who visit a Vinnies store are not in a financial position to purchase new items of furniture. Donated items to Vinnies are either provided free of charge to South Australians who are in desperate need or sold with all proceeds going to support the various vital community programs we offer.

Items sought are good quality tables (kitchen and dining), chairs, dressing tables, lounges, bedroom furniture, 2 door wardrobes, sideboards and coffee tables. Donation of goods is greatly welcomed and can be made in store or by calling (08) 8112 8777. We encourage people not to leave items of furniture next to our blue donation banks as they can either be stolen or ruined by the wet weather.

Vinnies is only able to provide a hand up to people seeking assistance as a result of the very generous support from the South Australian community we receive.

Sleeping on the Job

This year’s Vinnies CEO Sleepout in Adelaide was nothing less than a resounding success. His Excellency, Kevin Scarce, along with 105 of Adelaide’s top CEO, business and community leaders, braved the chilly conditions and slept out in the grounds of Government House on June 19 to experience for one night what many do on a daily basis.

Participants of the event not only raised awareness for issues faced by many in our community who are struggling but they also raised vital funds which will ensure services such as Fred’s Van, the Migrant and Refugee Centre and the Vincentian Centre (men’s homeless shelter) will continue to provide support and a hand up. The top fundraiser for 2014 was Nick Reade, Chief Executive for BankSA, who raised over $48,000. A big thank you to all who slept out and their supporters. Participants of the 2014 CEO Sleepout at Government House

National Indigenous Immersion Program

Earlier this year Vinnies representatives from all states attended the National Indigenous Immersion Program in the Wadeye region of the Northern Territory. Peter Ryan from the Port Lincoln Conference attended on behalf of SA.

The program began in 2003 from the idea of a Vinnies youth run school holiday program for the children of a remote indigenous community. Nganmarriyanga was chosen because at the time they did not have a Sports and Recreation Officer.

Objectives of the 15 day program included gaining an insight into the many issues and challenges facing remote indigenous communities of Australia today, fostering a greater understanding of what it is to be an indigenous person living in Australia and to challenge the pre-conceptions and stereotypes commonly portrayed and to assist in the establishment of future relationships between remote indigenous conferences and city based conferences.

All who attended the Immersion Program came away with a greater insight into the issues facing remote indigenous communities of today, and a deeper understanding of indigenous culture. This newly acquired cultural awareness will be integrated into the training for volunteers who regularly work with Indigenous Australians.

Vinnies representatives arriving in the NT

Peter Ryan with children from the Wadeye region

St Vincent de Paul Society (SA) Newsletter

Issue 24Spring 2014

Stay in touch

If you would like to keep up to date more regularly, you can also find us under VinniesSA on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Flickr and YouTube.

* Names have been changed to protect the privacy of our clients

Winter Appeal

Launched during the first week of May, Vinnies’ Annual Winter Appeal raises vital funds and awareness for programs that support South Australian men, women and children who are in greatest need. Programs which provide food, clothing and shelter in a dignified way to the most vulnerable within our community.

Without the generous donations made to Vinnies we would not be able to provide a hand up to people who are facing challenging and often overwhelming circumstances. To those who have already donated to this year’s Appeal we say thank you on behalf of the 105,000 South Australians we support every year.

If you would like to make a donation to this year’s Winter Appeal simply use the donation slip accompanying this issue of the Saint, call (08) 8112 8777 or visit www.vinnies.org.au

Volunteers Required

We are looking for volunteers for all our stores. With a wide variety of tasks that need doing, from sorting clothes and record keeping to serving customers and displaying stock on the shelves to name but a few, there is a job that will suit everyone’s ability. In essence the more volunteers we have will enable us to provide a greater level of support to the men, women and children who turn to us for assistance. If you would like to volunteer with us please visit any of our stores or call (08) 8112 8700.

Cold Plunge

50 people took part in the first ever ‘Cold Plunge for Those in Need’ on Sunday 17 August at Glenelg to raise valuable funds for Vinnies. The event involved participants running into the icy cold water to raise much-needed funds for people experiencing homelessness across South Australia. Whilst running into a cold ocean may sound like a crazy way to experience for a moment the kind of cold conditions someone experiences each night they spend on the street during winter – it was a fun and certainly unforgettable experience for those brave enough to take part. The Cold Plunge event began two years ago in Moscow and was brought to Adelaide by the Rotary Club of Glenelg.

Coming Events

Annual General Meeting of the St Vincent de Paul Society (SA) will be held at 4.00pm on 31 October at Ozanam House, 202 Franklin Street, Adelaide.

Thanksgiving Mass for deceased members, volunteers, staff and benefactors of the Society will be held at St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral, Adelaide at 11.30am on 1 November. Mass will be followed by a light luncheon.

Badge Day will again occur across the state on Friday 12 September. This coordinated day sees volunteers seeking gold coin donations at various locations from shopping centres to high traffic street positions.

The Motorcycle Riders Association of South Australia and St Vincent de Paul Society (SA)’s annual Toy Run will be held on 7 December. 6,000 motorcycle riders are again expected to generously donate nearly $200,000 worth of toys for needy South Australian families.

The Society’s annual Christmas Appeal will commence on 10 November with Parish collections occurring on the 15 – 16 November.

For further details on any of these events visit www.vinnies.org.au or call (08) 8112 8700.

New Face at FOHA

Kevin Butler was recently appointed as the Frederic Ozanam Housing Association* (FOHA)’s Maintenance Manager.

As a carpenter and joiner by trade, with numerous years in the building industry in construction and maintenance, Kevin has been a Building Supervisor, Building Inspector and in recent years a Construction Manager. After commencing work with the Public Building Department he then moved onto the General Housing Trust, Aboriginal Housing Unit, Aboriginal Housing Authority and then the Aboriginal and Remote Housing Unit.

In these roles Kevin has travelled the state from the APY Lands up north to Oak Valley, Yalata, the west coast and to the South East and Riverland areas.

Kevin has sense of humour, love fishing and is a passionate Port Power supporter.

Welcome aboard Kevin! * FOHA provides safe, secure and affordable housing to low income South Australians at risk of homelessness.