Evolve Housing Newsletter, September 2024

Page 1


Woolworths Gift Cards

Spot the Difference competition with 2 x $100 Woolworths gift cards up for grabs!

See page 7

IN THIS ISSUE

New RAG Project

Let us know your thoughts

Page 2

Tenant Amnesty

Any changes at home?

Page 3

Save the Date

You don’t want to miss these events!

Page 5

Community Engagement Team Update

Have you met Yvonne?

Page 5

Imaginate Events

Join us for some school holiday fun

Page 6

Tenant Portal

Sign up and go in the draw to win an iPad!

Page 7

School Student

Broadband Initiative

Are you eligible?

Page 8

SCHOOL HOLIDAY Events see page 6

During

Homelessness Week

The RAG has been busy providing valuable feedback to Evolve Housing on matters that are important to residents.

The RAG heard from members of the Access and Allocations team to gain a better understanding on how residents are allocated a home, and how they can apply for a transfer.

The Support Team also provided an update on the new structure of their team and the types of support our residents can get when and if they need it.

With Christmas just around the corner, the RAG has suggested fun and exciting activities they would like to see at the Annual Resident Christmas Party.

To ensure no one misses out, the RAG also spoke to the Community Engagement team and suggested better ways to inform residents of upcoming events to help increase attendance.

We’d like to give a special shoutout to RAG member Bruce, who has been busy supporting Evolve Housing staff with the roleout of the Tenant Portal by attending various workshops and assisting residents on getting signed up.

Lastly, the RAG is extremely proud to announce the release of their first resource directory. This directory is focused on much needed services providing food relief. These services have all been used by our RAG members, so you can have confidence that they will be of use to you.

The resource is included in this edition as an insert. You can place it on your fridge to refer to any time you might need some support with food. We would like your feedback on this resource, so if you used it, please let us know your thoughts by emailing: community@evolvehousing.com.au

Rest in Peace

PASSING OF BERNIE MURPHY Former CEO of Evolve Housing

We’re sad to inform you of the passing of Bernie Murphy, former CEO and valued member of Evolve Housing’s rich history from 2008 to 2011.

We are so fortunate to have had his time and energy as former CEO during a transitional era for the Evolve Housing community and a lot was accomplished during his tenure, including the merging of two companies Cumberland Housing and Western Suburbs Housing to create Affordable Community Housing Limited (now known as Evolve Housing).

Evolve Housing Chairperson Paul Howlett said that Bernie joined the company at a pivotal time in our development, successfully bringing together the clients and staff from two quite different entities to create the unified business that set the stage for Evolve Housing.

Acknowledgement of Country

Evolve Housing acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land where we deliver our housing services. We acknowledge and pay our respects to all Elders past, present and future. We welcome all First Nations Peoples to our services, as we walk together towards reconciliation.

HOMELESSNESS WEEK: Together Home Program

During Homelessness Week, the Evolve Housing Together Home team shared incredible stories from vulnerable individuals from all walks of life who experienced homelessness before entering the program.

The Together Home program is funded by the NSW Department of Communities and Justice through Homes NSW, and allows our team to support our clients through several ways including health issues such as physical and mental health, financial issues, debts and legal issues, living skills, cooking, reconnection with the community and their family, education, employment, personal wellbeing including doctor appointments.

Some of the stories shared included our clients securing new dentures which reignited their confidence and helped them get back into the community, independence, restoring of much-wanted family connections, resilience and the inspiration to recreate the new life they’ve always wanted.

To end Homelessness Week, we hosted our wonderful resident George, who cooked up a storm for our Together

TENANT AMNESTY

Evolve Housing is offering Tenant Amnesty From 1 September until 31 October 2024. The Tenant Amnesty period gives residents an opportunity to let Evolve Housing know about any changes to your household situation that you may not have already advised without penalty, such as: Undisclosed additional occupants, Financial assets, and Property ownership.

If you tell Evolve Housing about any of the above during

Home clients. Chef George showed the Together Home clients how to make delicious fettuccine carbonara and spaghetti bolognese. He also surprised them with his special caramel slice!

George took the time to listen to our clients who shared their stories before finding the Together Home program. Empathising with their past, George shared his experience with homelessness, which eventually saw him as an Evolve Housing resident. He regularly referred to the staff members who helped him back on the right path as “angels”.

We are truly grateful for the opportunity in helping those who need it most, and its these stories of resilience that give us hope that no matter what trauma or history an individual may have come from, Evolve Housing can support and make a difference in their lives for the better.

the amnesty period, you will not have to pay back any money owed due to the non-disclosure. Information can be provided directly or anonymously. You will be able to report any changes to us by:

• Calling 1800 693 865

• In person at our Parramatta (NSW) or Moonee Ponds (VIC) offices

• E. amnesty@evolvehousing.com.au; or

• Contacting your Housing Manager

For more information, scan the QR code

IMAGINATE EVENTS

Evolve Housing welcomed 48 of our residents to our July school holidays

Imaginate activities!

We kicked off the first week with a big day out at Imaginate: The Great Outdoors at Stanwell Park, where children and parents learned about our Australian native wildlife, went river fishing, bug catching and for a short walk along the beach and in the bush! In the second week, we held the Imaginate: Dragon Tao event where

Women’s Coffee Club

The Women’s Coffee Club enjoyed an interactive info-session from a guest speaker from the Cancer Council who spoke about the importance of healthy eating and women’s health.

The women enjoyed an open discussion on the importance of healthy eating, mindfulness and cancer prevention and connected over coffee, morning tea and a delicious lunch. Some quotes from our residents on the day included:

“Thank you for the information and thank you for your hospitality.”

“The guest speaker was very good; the event was so nice.”

Keep an eye out for updates about the Women’s Coffee Club on our What’s On Page, scan QR-code.

children were able to learn de-escalation skills and selfdefense from bullying through martial arts.

Our Imaginate school holiday activities and other resident engagement activities can be found on the Evolve Housing website under the What’s On Page.

If you have any suggestions for activities for future Imaginate programs, please text the Community Engagement team on 0412 806 461 Or email community@evolve.housing.com.au

RESIDENT CHRISTMAS PARTY

Christmas is fast approaching, and you don’t want to miss out on the event of the year!

Mark your calendars for our Annual Resident Christmas Party! We’re thrilled to announce that this year’s festive celebration will be hosted once again at Panthers Penrith Rugby Leagues Club, featuring a vibrant Carnivale theme for families and a touch of sparkle theme for mature aged and seniors.

Join us on Sunday, December 15th, at Panthers Penrith Leagues Club, 123 Mulgoa Road, Penrith. Stay tuned for more details and registration information as the date approaches.

ANNUAL RESIDENT MEETING

Evolve Housing will be hosting our Annual Resident Meeting (ARM) on Monday the 11th of November at Jacks Bar and Grill, Parramatta Leagues Club.

During this event you’ll hear about the year’s achievements and highlights, as well as updates on programs planned for the year ahead. You’ll have the opportunity to chat to board members, connect with housing managers and chat with fellow residents. Keep an eye on our What’s on Page for more information and when to register.

CHANGES IN THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TEAM

Yvonne has recently joined our Community Engagement Team, covering for Terina while she is on maternity leave.

Some of you may have already met Yvonne at our Imaginates, as she brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience in the community engagement sector from Carer Gateway. Keep an eye out for Yvonne at our future Imaginates and other events here: bit.ly/eh-whatson

To contact Yvonne or our Community Engagement team for programs, events or financial assistance grants please call 0412 806 461 or email community@evolvehousing.com.au

UPCOMING IMAGINATE PROGRAMS

Join us for some fun-filled activities for children and young people during the October 2024 school holidays! Keep an eye out via the Evolve Housing What’s On page bit.ly/eh-whatson

Must be 7+ years old to participate.

Event: Film making and future film stars

Activity: Teaching the art of film making from acting to camera operations and editing the final

Date: Thursday 3rd October 2024

Film making Sea Life Aquarium

Time: 10.00am–3.00pm

Location: Yagoona Community Centre, 176D Cooper Road, Yagoona.

FREE events run EXCLUSIVELY for children & parents of EVOLVE HOUSING

Event: Sea Life Aquarium

Activity: A fun day out for children of all ages to learn about sea life and conservation.

Date: Thursday 10th October 2024

Time: 12.00pm–4.00pm

Location: Sea Life Sydney Darling Harbour

1–5 Wheat Road, Sydney, NSW 2000

Woolworths Gift Cards!

To help feed the family during the October school holidays we will be holding a Spot the Difference competition with 2 x $100 Woolworths gift cards up for grabs!

THE PRIZE:

We have two prizes to give away. Each winner will get a $100 Woolworths gift card.

HOW TO ENTER:

Circle the 8 differences in the first photo correctly, then take a photo of the completed Spot the Difference when you’re done. Send the photo by SMS to the Community Engagement team on 0412 806 461. Use the subject line “Woolworths gift cards”. Please include your full name, Evolve Housing address and phone number.

All correct entries will go into the running to win, then we will draw 2 winners randomly.

Please note you must be an Evolve Housing resident to enter. Entries close midday Monday 30th September 2024, and we will contact the winners directly.

Tenant Portal GENIUSES

Have you met our Tenant Portal Geniuses?

We have a dedicated team of Tenant Portal Geniuses who will be attending our future events to help you sign up to the Tenant Portal and assist you in learning the ins and outs of the new system.

Our Tenant Portal is up and running with 200 residents already registered, but we’re looking to get more signed up!

Our Geniuses will be easily recongnisable as they’ll be wearing their fabulous orange “Tenant Portal Genius Team” T-shirts.

Everyone who registers by 1st November 2024, will go in the draw to win:

1 of 3 Apple iPad 10.9-inch 64GB Wi-Fi.

Join our Communications Panel

Our Communication Panel is a group of Evolve Housing residents who check various communication forms such as letters, SMS, factsheets and other documents prior to being published to ensure communication are set in a way that is understandable to our tenants.

What’s Involved

• All correspondence is done via email, no need to come to the office

• Must have an email account and access to a computer

• All residents are welcome – you don’t need any special skills

• Participate from the convenience of your own home

• Frequency is as needed

To do all of this, all you need is an email, and you can do it from the comfort of your own home. To register your interest, scan the QR code:

FAN Update

Our Friendship Aged Network (FAN) is one of Evolve Housing’s longest running resident programs. Our dedicated resident volunteers reach out to residents who are elderly and living alone and would like a friendly chat from our volunteer. Who can join? Any resident of Evolve Housing living alone and are over 55years of age.

If you would like a weekly call from one of our friendly volunteers, email Community Engagement at community@evolvehousing.com. au or call Rob Costa on 1800 693 865.

Money Minded

If you’re struggling to pay down your credit card debt, find it tough to stretch your income to cover all expenses, want to buy a car or plan for a holiday, these workshops will help you manage your money. These money management workshops will help you create a budget, reduce your debt and start saving.

UPCOMING WORKSHOP:

Date: Thursday 17th October

Time: 10:30am – 12pm

Location: Evolve Housing office 9–13 Argyle Street, Parramatta

Student School Broadband Initiative

Do you have a school aged child and have no internet access at home?

SSBI has been extended until the 31st of December 2025! To be eligible, a family must:

• Have a child living at home that is enrolled in an Australian school.

• Have no active broadband service over the NBN network.

• Live in a premise where they can access a standard NBN service.

• Not have had an active NBN service during the previous 14 days.

If you’re an Evolve Housing resident and you meet the eligibility criteria, please complete the form by scanning the above QR code. Please note previous applicants need not reapply.

evolvehousing.com.au/whats-on or by calling 1800 myevolve (1800 693 865) @evolvehousing evolvehousing

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