Ristretto and doppio are types of which popular beverage?

ac.care rises to the challenge of changing lives in SA

Thousands of South Australians were supported by regional agency ac.care last financial year as country people faced extra pressure due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, rising cost of living and lack of affordable housing. Innovative approaches to supporting country South Australians, including the rising number of young people in state care, were recently highlighted at ac.care’s annual general meeting.

The organisation’s annual report, released to coincide with the meeting, also highlighted the agency’s achievements across the Limestone Coast, Murraylands, Riverland, Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Peninsula over 2021/22.

Early intervention support helped 403 people avoid homelessness across the regions, with 704 people moved from homelessness to stable accommodation.

Meanwhile, safe homes were provided for 350 vulnerable children thanks to 171 families opening their homes and hearts as foster carers with ac.care.

“Whether it is supporting children in care, people at risk of or experiencing homelessness or country South Australians living in vulnerable circumstances, our staff have been steadfast in doing what they can to improve the quality of life for people in need of our support and implementing innovative approaches to increase our impact,” chief executive officer Shane Maddocks said.

“Cost of living pressures and the worsening housing crisis continue to significantly impact on country people, many of whom have already faced adversity throughout the ongoing pandemic.

“Our mission to ensure all country people have a safe home, enough money to live on and strong, positive relationships could not be any more important than right now.”

A major achievement during the 2021/22 period was the launched of ac.care’s Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan, setting a bold agenda for the agency over three years to make a difference in the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

“The launch of our Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan in May 2022 continues our commitment to learning from Aboriginal people and to accept the responsibility we have as an organisation to work towards reconciliation by addressing the impacts of colonisation and ongoing racism and discrimination,” Mr Maddocks said.

Another key milestone was the official opening of the Riverland’s first residential care home operated by ac.care for young people unable to live with their birth families.

The Berri property, which can house up to four young people, provides a home-based setting that is overseen by trained ac.care staff on a 24/7 roster. ac.care made the financial decision to purchase the property, the first time the agency has taken the approach, and one that has been repeated in alignment with a planned expansion of Mount Gambier residential care services in late 2022.

In his annual address, ac.care board convenor Rick Fisher indicated high level discussions were taking place regarding the agency’s future service delivery to ensure they align with community needs.

“Our current strategic plan is in the last year of its life and the board has taken the opportunity to completely review our planning process into the future,” Mr Fisher said.

Mr Fisher said the board and broader ac.care team was working to redefine ac.care’s strategic plan and long-term vision with a focus on actively engaging and building community, measuring impact and generating long-term change to break cycles of disadvantage.

The full annual report is available at www.accare.org.au/about/ annual-reports/

Do you need financial or emergency support, want to contribute to ac.care or would like to know more about becoming a foster carer? Call 1300 ACCARE (1300 222 273) or visit accare.org. au Become a regular donor to ac.care by visiting www.accare. org.au/donate

Key agency-wide ac.care statistics for 2021/22:

• 403 people avoided homelessness with early intervention support • 1237 people accessed ac.care’s homelessness service

Bringing Xmas cheer

Meals on Wheels volunteers prepare for Christmas

• 866 people moved from homelessness into stable accommodation • 171 families opened their homes and hearts as foster carers with ac.care • 350 children found homes with local foster carers • 38 children were supported in our 24/7 residential care homes • 192 people were supported by our Aboriginal support services •1888 people were supported in a crisis with financial help and food assistance • 419 people managed a difficult financial situation with the support of financial counselling

FAMILY CARE: Kate and Jeremy Thomas welcome foster children, including infants, into their care, with their own children Gemma and Zoe also contributing to nurturing young visitors in their home.

There is very little down time for local Meals on Wheels volunteers and heading into the festive season, things ramp up even more.

The Mount Gambier facility has been a hive of activity as volunteers work on three special projects – making up gift bags for clients, delivering Christmas meals and stockpiling a variety of frozen meals to help get clients through the Christmas break when volunteers take a well earned 10 day hiatus from meal delivery.

Gail Williams spearheads the gift bag campaign and last week volunteers put together 180 bags to brighten up Christmas time for clients.

An individual Lions Christmas Cake, mince pies, home baked slices, truffles and biscuits, tea, chocolates and a couple of small gifts make up the 2022 bags which were handed out last Friday.

This Friday those clients will receive their traditional Christmas dinner with soup, a traditional roast and Christmas pudding, as well as those extra frozen meals for over the festive break, as requested.

“We have been doing the gift bags for about 10 years and the clients really look forward to it and it makes such a difference,” Gail said.

OneFortyOne, PFD, Woolworths marketplace, Coles and The Reject Shop have all played a role in making the gift bag project possible, as well as the baking prowess of volunteers.

“Everybody helps us put the bags together with the volunteers happy to come and help get them ready to deliver,” Gail said.

Gift bags are also ;puttogether by the Millicent, Naracoorte and Beachport branches.

CHRISTMAS ELVES: Meals on Wheels volunteers Barry Williams, Gail Williams & Sue Hinton.

“...the clients really look forward to it and it makes such a difference...” Gail Williams Golden Gaytime icecream cake

2 x 250g pkt Arnott’s Malt ‘O’ Milk biscuits 2 x 1L tub Streets Golden Gaytime ice-cream 180g packet milk chocolate, chopped 3 tbsp coconut oil Streets Golden Gaytime ice-cream Bites, to serve

Method

Grease the base and sides of a 7cm-deep, 10 x 20cm (base size) loaf pan with oil. Line with 2 sheets of plastic wrap, allowing the wrap to overhang the sides. Arrange a single layer of biscuits over the base of the prepared pan. Spoon half of 1 ice-cream tub over the biscuit layer and smooth the surface. Arrange a single layer of biscuits on top. Spoon remaining half tub over the biscuit layer and smooth the surface. Arrange a single layer of biscuits on top. Spoon remaining ice-cream over biscuit layer and smooth the surface. Arrange a layer of biscuits on top. Reserve remaining biscuits. Cover with overhanging plastic wrap and place in the freezer for 6 hours or overnight until firm. Place the chocolate and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on High, stirring every 30 seconds, for 1-2 minutes or until melted and smooth. Set aside to cool until room temperature (the mixture should be runny but not warm). Process reserved biscuits in a food processor until coarsely crushed. Turn cake onto a serving plate. Pour chocolate mixture over cake. Press biscuit crumbs onto top and sides of cake. Top with Gaytime Bites. Serve immediately.