http://vinnies.org.au/files/WA/Newsletters/TheSpiritNewsletterSeptember2009

Spirit

Spirit

A NEWSLETTER FROM THE ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY (WA) Inc.

S eptem b er 2 0 0 9

Spirit

State President’s Message

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ear Friends of the Society,

Since we last spoke in March – the Society has been working hard delivering much needed support to people in need over what has been at times a very cold winter.

Our Winter Appeal runs from the beginning of May to the end of July and during that time the Society received calls from over 5000 people (in the metropolitan area) needing help. Without the generosity of the WA community, we would not have been able to provide the assistance needed and may I please offer you my sincere thanks on behalf of the Society for your ongoing support of our work. We recognise that 2009 has been a year where the financial markets have left many people in difficult positions of their own and we acknowledge that in tough economic times, it is often a hard decision for someone to think about the welfare of another when they themselves are riding the wave of the economy.

Job losses, fluctuating share markets and general consumer cautiousness impacts everyone in the community, so I must say how humbled the Society is to have been able to raise over $800,000 to directly help people in need over winter and the months following – a clear indication of the generosity of the West Australian people and the calibre of our community to want to be inclusive and caring of everyone who lives in this beautiful state – something we should be very proud of.

This edition of The Spirit provides a further insight into the work of the Society and how your donations are helping others. In particular, our main feature shares with you some stories about the life-line of our Society – our volunteers. For not only can members of the West Australian community assist people through financial donations and donations of unwanted material goods, but the Society provides many opportunities for people to join us through volunteering. If you have the time and the calling to assist people in need, I invite you to join us as a volunteer and share in the gift of being able to help someone else in the most personal and direct way possible - by giving them your time and talents.

We hope you enjoy this read, thank you again for entrusting the Society with your donations, we will continue to work hard to meet and exceed your expectations as an organisation.

God Bless, Clément Astruc State President St Vincent de Paul Society (WA) Inc.

Thank You for Helping to Make Tomorrow Different

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he St Vincent de Paul Society kicked off the 2009 Winter Appeal with an official launch at the Osborne Park Clothing and Furniture Depot on Wednesday May 27 notably attended by Clément Astruc, State President, The Hon. Liza Harvey MLA, The Hon. John Charles Kobelke MLA, and was blessed by His Grace Archbishop Barry Hickey. The location of the launch helped to showcase one of the Society’s Special Works and illustrated the very large and important role it plays in distributing welfare assistance throughout the state.

schools around Perth in the form of material donations that will ensure adequate clothing and bedding can be provided to those in need when requested.

On the behalf of the people we assist, we thank the generous donors, supporters and corporate partners, our devoted members and volunteers and all those who contributed to helping make someone’s tomorrow different through the 2009 Winter Appeal.

This year’s Winter Appeal theme Tomorrow Can Be Different used the powerful ‘Today I Am’ journal to express the feelings and thoughts of the people we assist. Through the pages of journal entries, the Society continued to give a voice to the voiceless by asking those we assist to illustrate one simple concept – what today meant to them. The collection of drawings, poems, collages and sentences illustrate the many struggles associated with homelessness, mental illness and other challenges life has dealt them.

Through the enormous amount of generosity received from the West Australian public, the St Vincent de Paul Society’s 2009 Winter Appeal raised in excess of $800,000.

Although down on last year’s total, funds raised through the appeal will provide vital emergency welfare assistance to many thousands of individuals and families as we journey through what remains of the cold and wintery weather. We gratefully acknowledge the West Australian communities support in uncertain economic times.

The Society also received a great amount of support from the West Australian business community and the

2 | The Spirit | September 2009

The Hon. Liza Harvey MLA presents Clément Astruc, State President with a cheque for $15,000 to kick off the 2009 Winter Appeal

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Emergency Relief Assistance The Rising Cost of Essential Services – What it means for those we assist

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ith talk of the global economic crisis coming to an end there seems to be no end in sight to the ever increasing cost of living, especially for those already living on a knife’s edge. The St Vincent de Paul Society works with families and individuals who have found themselves unable to provide the basic necessities of life – food, clothing and shelter. For those who call on the Society for emergency welfare assistance, the news of an ‘electricity price hike’ or a ‘spike in gas prices’ as the headlines suggest, does nothing for their outlook on life, perspective or morale. This is when the St Vincent de Paul Society’s dedicated volunteers provide the much needed financial and material assistance they require as well as an overall holistic approach to their situation by aiming to achieve a long term positive change through referrals, advocacy and friendship.

A recent paper released in June 2009 by WACOSS (Western Australian Council of Social Service) titled The Rising Cost of Essential Services clearly outlines the stark reality facing many West Australians living in disadvantage as they struggle to keep their heads above water with the recent increase in essential services like gas, water and electricity. The paper found that from 2003 to present, the average household utility costs have risen by 27% with the paper also predicting a further likely increase of 32% from 2010/11 to 2013/14. For people living on low incomes or facing financial disadvantage, the cost of accessing essential services consumes a high percentage of their income and as West Australians start to feel the effects of the global economy, the forecast isn’t good.

disconnections) which translates to a significant amount of WA households going without access to gas utilised for cooking, heating and showering. Conference members can apply on behalf of gas customers for the ‘Alintacare Program’ which provides up to $100 a year to those experiencing hardship. Similarly up to $100 a year is available for customers experiencing difficultly in paying their electricity bill and a further $380 is accessible through the State Government’s HUGS (The Hardship Utility Grants Scheme) initiative.

The St Vincent de Paul Society continues to work tirelessly with those who call on us for assistance and empower them to change their future by providing the most up to date, knowledgeable information to get them the help they need for a brighter future. For more information on any of the information above please contact the Conference and Membership Development Department on (08) 9475 5400.

Recent figures released from the ABS (Australian Bureau of Statistics) show that the unemployment rate in WA has increased from 5.2% in June to 5.7% in July and there are now 68,700 unemployed people in WA compared to only 28,000 in October 2008 – bringing about a whole new set of complex issues and concerns about standards of living.

Rising unemployment plunges people into mortgage and rental stress and for those who are lucky enough to still have a roof over their heads, the problems are still very severe.

Fortunately help is available and the Society’s volunteers have the resources and knowledge to provide referrals and advocate for a better life. Volunteers will provide information on payment plans and budgets, contact details for financial counsellors and the education and support needed in a time of crisis. Quite often there are underlying problems to financial crisis, whether it is drug and alcohol dependence, relationship breakdowns, unemployment, ill health or mental health issues and the Society’s volunteers are trained to identify the problems which have brought about the disadvantage and provide the help and referrals needed.

There is also help available with the spike in the cost of essential services. A number of programs run by the Government and private sector provide allowances for those struggling to keep their water, gas and power connected.

Alinta Gas recently reported that the rate of disconnections within WA was almost six times higher than that reported in Victoria in 2007/08 (per 100 customers WA experienced 2.29 disconnections with Victoria experiencing 0.39

Concerning entries from the 2009 ‘Today I Am’ Winter Appeal Journal Over 13,000 West Australians are homeless

Volunteering with the Society Enlighten Your Life Today Volunteer with the St Vincent de Paul Society!

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olunteering: The practice of people working on behalf of others without being motivated by financial or material gain.

The St Vincent de Paul Society is an organisation built upon many elements and volunteering is one vital element that forms the practical link between the services it provides and the people who are assisted. The Society currently has 3,000 volunteers in Western Australia, 40,000 volunteers nationally and a staggering 950,000 volunteers worldwide – essentially forming a network of likeminded, caring people who carry out the Society’s work and who are following in the footsteps of its founder Blessed Frederic Ozanam by delivering hope, comfort and dignity to thousands.

However, more help is needed.

Volunteers of the St Vincent de Paul Society are devoted men and women of all backgrounds and ages who have made a commitment to the mission of the St Vincent de Paul Society, who want to help create a more just and compassionate society and who are willing to work in unity to assist people in need in the West Australian community.

Without the dedication and support of the many people who have contributed to the work of the Society over the years, it is a harsh reality that many people living in disadvantage would not have been shown the compassion and attention they required in their time of need.

Volunteering is a fun, exciting and thought provoking way to become involved in the St Vincent de Paul Society and there are many avenues

Vincentcare

Vincentcare provides accommodation and support for individuals experiencing homelessness and mental illness and have accommodation sites throughout the metropolitan areas of Perth.

Volunteering opportunities involve providing assistance with living skills, transport to appointments, companionship and mentoring through the Vincentcare Integration Program (V.I.P)Buddy Program and recreation activities including bike riding, walking, music, arts and outings.

“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.”

available for a person to get involved.

The benefits volunteering can give a person are endless and people have often commented that their volunteering has given them a purpose in life, and the feeling they have knowing they were able to give something back to their community was priceless. Whatever your reason to volunteer might be, it is assured to be a memorable and life changing experience.

Enjoy reading about the many ways you can get involved and please don’t hesitate to call the St Vincent de Paul Society on (08) 9475 5400 to find out more.

Osborne Park Clothing and Furniture Depot

The Clothing and Furniture Depot situated in Osborne Park is a hub of activity that services the Retail Centres and provides a huge amount of welfare to the metropolitan area. There are many ways to become involved with the Depot to lend a helping hand and due to the generosity of the WA community there are always mountains of donated clothing to sort through and bedding and furniture to distribute. Volunteering opportunities at the Depot involve sorting bric-a-brac and books, emptying clothing bins as well as the opportunity to become a Truck Driver Offsider in the collection and distribution of donated goods for welfare support – a great way to get out and see Perth!

“I get a good feeling doing something for the people in the community who cannot help themselves. Ifyou have ever thought about volunteering, don’t just talk about it, do it!” Depot volunteer.

Elizabeth Andrew

Vinnies Youth

Vinnies Youth volunteering opportunities include assisting with a variety of programs for disadvantaged children and teenagers that aim to encourage the development of basic life skills in a fun and safe environment. These include Camps, Buddy Days, Homework Centres and Juvenile Detention Centre visits. Volunteering for Vinnies Youth is a fun and inspiring way to make a real difference in the life of a young person and can also help you to grow as a person and become a role model for future generations.

“The programs facilitated by Vinnies Youth are so important for disadvantaged youth in Perth.

These programs provide an oasis and a place to get away and just be a child for a few days, they allow children to be in the company of mentors and are able to see that success is something to strive for.” Vinnies Youth volunteer.

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www.vinnies.org.au

Refugee & Migrant Support

Conference Membership

Members of the community can become a Vincentian Member or an Auxiliary Member of a conference within the Society.

Conference members perform Home Visitation which is the act of visiting people who have requested welfare assistance in their homes and provide goods and support. Conference Membership is a vocation and is a very rewarding way to provide a ‘hand up’ to people in most need within the community.

“It doesn’t take a lot of work and time to make a difference through the Society. We meet once a week and go on visits once, maybe twice, a week. The benefits are the friends you make through the Society, training courses on how to deal with those in need, and fulfilment. Knowing you are helping a stranger get back on track is great,” Conference member.

For newly arrived refugees and migrants, a new life in Australia is often daunting. The Refugee and Migrant Committee of the St Vincent de Paul Society is quite often the first point of contact for newly arrived people and helps prepare them for their new future. Volunteering opportunities include helping to provide household goods, furniture and emergency clothing, assisting with travel arrangements, transport to the bi-annual ‘Welcome to Australia’ Picnic, assisting with the provision of Christmas hampers and advocacy as the need arises. As English is their second language a great deal of patience, understanding and a sensitive approach to other cultures is essential.

“Being a part of the Welcome to Australia Picnic was a great way to see many different cultures come together and enjoy a day out. You get to hear their experiences and help them ease into their new life in Perth,”

Refugee and Migrant Support volunteer.

Benefits of volunteering • Meet new people • Gain new skills • Get a feeling of fulfilment • Keep young, fit and active • Gain work skills and work experience • Grow spiritually • Give back to your community • Help someone have a better future who “Those o. can, d ho w Those more, o can d r.” ee volunt n nknow

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Vinnies Retail Centres

Vinnies Retail Centres can help provide work opportunities and a forum to meet new people and learn new skills. Recently rebranded to ‘Vinnies’, our much loved and recognisable pre-loved clothing stores are situated in convenient locations throughout the state, in fact there are over forty of them. The volunteering positions available are open to all ages and are a wonderful way to learn skills, gain experience and make friends. Tasks include sorting and merchandising clothing and retail customer service.

“Volunteers don’t get paid, not because they’re worthless, but because they’re priceless.”

Sherry Anderson

Metropolitan Call Centre

Volunteers help respond to calls for assistance from the community. The Call Centre operates Monday-Friday from the Society’s head office in Belmont and hours of operation are 9am-1pm. Calls are taken and then distributed to the regions around Perth. Hours are flexible and volunteering in the Call Centre is a great way to introduce yourself back into the workforce for those who have been out of work. Learn new skills and make new friends by becoming a member of the Call Centre team!

“Working in the Call Centre allows me to help people in need.

Some calls can get challenging but the satisfaction you get when you know you have helped ease the burden from someone who really needs it is well worth it,” Call Centre volunteer.

Last financial year Vinnies Centre’s volunteers contributed 14,400 hours

Society News Homelessness Crisis in Albany

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hroughout 2009, the Albany Conference of the St Vincent de Paul Society has seen a spike in homelessness that has attributed to an increase in calls from people seeking accommodation and support.

Homelessness can be the result of job loss and increased financial stress in the home combined with relationship breakdown, mental health issues and drug and alcohol abuse.

In response to the identified need in the community, the Albany Conference

has developed ‘Plan B’, a pilot program aimed at providing up to three weeks emergency relief accommodation - a service not previously available in the area. Conference members provide support and assist where possible, however the intention of the program is to empower individuals to take control and improve their own situation.

Conference members across Western Australia are aware that early intervention is the best approach to an individual’s or family’s crisis and as part of their welfare work in the community Society members attempt to advocate on behalf of clients before undesirable outcomes such as eviction occur.

The work of the Society is ultimately centered on providing a ‘hand up’ rather than a hand out to people overwhelmed by life’s hardships.

Members also provide budget advice and offer referrals to combat underlying issues in their efforts to improve the lives of West Australians in need.

Many Years of Hope, Comfort and Dignity

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he St Vincent de Paul Society’s Bassendean and Beaconsfield Conferences have recently celebrated milestones of service to their local communities.

The Bassendean Conference was officially formed on March 24, 1939 and celebrated 70 years of service at the Swan Region Festival Mass on Sunday June 14, 2009. The conference, currently consisting of ten members, continues to provide vital emergency welfare assistance in the suburbs of Ashfield, Bassendean and Eden Hill.

The Beaconsfield Conference was founded on June 18, 1939 and celebrated a commendable 40 years of service (the conference was in recess for 30 years) and was acknowledged at a special mass and morning tea at Christ the King Church on Sunday July 12, 2009.

Between their team of six members a total of 106 years of service to the community has been provided to people in need living in the suburbs of Beaconsfield, Samson, South Fremantle and White Gum Valley through Home Visitation.

The St Vincent de Paul Society would like to thank the volunteers from both conferences for their continued dedication to their communities.

Clément Astruc and Bassendean Conference members enjoy their 70 year anniversary

Fremantle Regional President Terry Power, Beaconsfield Conference President Beryl Davies and new member John McLaughlin celebrating their milestone

No Distance Too Far in the Society’s Quest for Justice and Compassion

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oday in Western Australia, the St Vincent de Paul Society has 77 conferences and 41 Vinnies Retail Centres that provide material assistance to people in need within their local community.

Over the last 18 months, the Geraldton Conference has been assisting the remote town of Fitzroy Crossing by providing bales of quality clothing.

Fitzroy Crossing is located approximately 400km east of Broome at the state’s top end and is plagued by social and physical isolation. Due to this isolation the community bears the sufferings of poor health and poverty.

Thanks to the dedication of the Geraldton Conference members and donations from the local community, the Society has been able to provide comfort and dignity to many disadvantaged individuals and families living within this community with much needed material assistance.

The Society provided clothing assistance to the remote town of Fitzroy Crossing (Photo supplied by Daron Keogh)

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The assistance provided to the people of Fitzroy Crossing was received with immense gratitude and provided a glimmer of hope and genuine excitement for their new belongings. The Society is currently embarking on a project to develop an onsite conference group in Fitzroy Crossing to directly assist members of that community on an ongoing basis.

www.vinnies.org.au

How You Can Help Do you Believe Education is the Key to Breaking the Poverty Cycle?

If so, then Assist A Student

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he St Vincent de Paul Society believes education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty. Education empowers an individual to support themselves, their families and their communities independently in the future.

$70 can change someone’s life But, imagine a world without books to read, pencils to write with or resources to learn from. For many young people living throughout the Pan-Asian region, access to education is a dream – but with your help we can make it a reality.

The Assist a Student Program is an education scholarship initiative aimed at providing primary, secondary and postsecondary students throughout Asia and the Pacific an opportunity to achieve an education. A donation of $70 to a student will assist in providing school and educational related expenses such as books, course fees and uniforms for an entire year.

Students are chosen by the Society based on the needs of the partner country and are then randomly matched with a donor. As a supporter of the program you will receive a supporter certificate with the student’s name, country and course of study and an annual newsletter about the Assist a Student program.

The program is part of the Society’s Special Work - Overseas Partnerships & Development which is committed to providing support and assistance to developing countries – financially, spiritually and by correspondence.

How to Put Your ‘Love in Action’

Lend a Hand with Helping Hands

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s tax time wraps up for another year and you find yourself drowning in receipts you might like to find out more about becoming a member of the Helping Hands Program. The St Vincent de Paul Society’s Helping Hands Program allows supporters to make a periodical commitment to the Society to help grow its specialised services and meet the growing needs of the WA community.

There are many benefits of the program which include nominating your choice of donation amount and regularity, the chance to change your amount and regularity at any time, the convenience of receiving only one tax-deductible receipt each year and you will continue receiving this bi-annual newsletter The Spirit so you can keep up to date on the how the Society is using the support of the community to enrich the lives of the disadvantaged and marginalised.

As an additional benefit, you can also nominate if you would like to support a particular area within the Society.

Some areas include improving the lives of disadvantaged youth, supporting those experiencing mental illness and homelessness, providing help to migrants and refugees as they settle into a new life in Australia and much more.

The St Vincent de Paul Society has been responding to calls for assistance within the community since 1865 and provides a ‘hand up’ to those in need through Home Visitation and Special Works. This work is only made possible by the generosity of the West Australian public and you can continue to show support by becoming a member of the Helping Hands Program today.

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hile there are many ways to show ongoing support to the St Vincent de Paul Society’s ‘Good Works’ few are as personal as deciding to leave a Bequest in your Will. Over the years the Society has been privileged to be remembered in the Wills of members of the WA community and continues to stay true to the mission of serving Christ in the poor with love, respect, justice, hope and joy.

Writing a Will might be a daunting experience for some, but the St Vincent de Paul Society has helpful information available for those who want to find out more. ‘Love in Action’ – Your Guide to Wills and Bequests explains what should be considered when writing or updating your Will.

Don’t leave it to chance – update your Will today

Whether you plan to leave a bequest to the Society or not, this booklet has been written with all our supporters in mind.

It also offers the opportunity to invite those who have made the Society a beneficiary in their Will to join the Tom Perrott Friends Forever Club. The club is a special group of like-minded people who have named the Society in their Will and is our way of honouring these people during their lifetime.

‘Love in Action’ is an informative handbook for everyone. The law is quite specific about how an estate is to be divided and if no Will can be found, it might not be the outcome you intended. Now is a good time to look at creating a Will, reviewing an existing one and considering using your Will to make a gift to a cause you believe in.

A bequest to the Society is a gift made in your Will and through your legacy you will help change the way of life for disadvantaged people forever. For an obligation free copy of the ‘Love in Action’ handbook, please contact Anne Smith, Bequest Officer on (08) 9475 5414.

To find out more about these different and exciting ways to support the work of the Society please tick the relevant box on the donation coupon The Society believes education is the key to breaking the poverty cycle

In Short Quick News CEO Sleepout Planned for Perth 2010 Following the success of the CEO Sleepout in Sydney’s Luna Park on Thursday June 18, the St Vincent de Paul Society in Western Australia is proud to announce its very own CEO Sleepout in Perth. The Sleepout will be held in winter 2010 as part of the Society’s annual Winter Appeal.

Register for the 2010 CEO Sleepout today!

CEO’s from NSW braved the cold and rain in Sydney by giving up their usual comforts to gain an insight into the issue of homelessness and to raise much needed funds to support those for whom it is a reality and Perth will be calling on all business and community leaders to join them next year in doing the same. The Perth event hopes to register 150 leaders willing to put their hand up and sleep rough for a night with the aim of raising awareness about homelessness in this state. Currently over 13,500 people are homeless every night in Perth.

To view photos and video diaries from the CEO Sleepout in NSW visit www.ceosleepout.org.au.

For further information on the CEO Sleepout in WA, to register your interest or to nominate your CEO, please call (08) 9475 5400 or email CEOSleepOut@svdpwa.org.au.

Mini Vinnies Record Result During May and June, 39 Perth primary schools donated an astounding 31 tons of pre-loved clothing to the 2009 Mini Vinnies Clothing Drive. The donated clothing equates to over $500,000 worth of stock and an estimated 16,500 outfits for those in need.

Every year as part of the Mini Vinnies Clothing Drive tradition, the Vinnies Youth team hold a ‘Fun Day’ for the school who donates the most amount of clothing per student. This year saw the first ever tied result with both St Benedict’s School in Applecross and St Kieran’s Primary School in Tuart Hill donating a very impressive 8kg of clothing per student!

Thank you to all the schools who participated in this year’s clothing drive.

Students from St B enedict’s School co llec of clothing ted a mountain for Mini V innies Clothing

Race Day Gallops Ahead for Another Successful Year The Rotary Club of Perth and St Vincent de Paul Society’s annual Race Day in support of Passages Resource Centre, was held on Saturday May 23 at Belmont Park Racecourse and proudly raised over $55,000 for some of Perth’s most disadvantaged young people.

Passages Resource Centre located in Northbridge opened its doors over ten years ago and is committed to providing support and care to street present youth between the ages of 12-25.

Thank you to all who attended and supported the 2009 Passages Race Day and we look forward to seeing you all again next year!

Lotterywest - Helping Us, Help Others Lotterywest continue to provide assistance to people in need by providing much needed financial support to the Society.

Lotterywest recently approved a grant to assist in upgrading Vincentcare’s supported accommodation properties. This grant has been allocated to the provision of equipment and furniture and property improvement - fixtures. The grant will ensure residents can continue to live with comfort and dignity in one of Vincentcare’s 14 accommodation sites across WA. The Society would also like to thank Lotterywest and the Premier of Western Australia, Mr Colin Barnett, for their approval of a funding application for the improvement of the Society’s communications and IT facilities. The improvements are expected to result in a considerable increase in efficiency in the performance of the Society’s mission of providing assistance to people in need in Western Australia.

New Website Launched After a much anticipated and exciting wait the Society’s National Council proudly launched its new website www.vinnies.org.au in April.

The new site offers a National perspective on the Society and provides relevant State specific information on a range of topics.

For further information about the site, please contact Lisa Guagliardo on (08) 9475 5433.

mber and Long time Society me ’s Tom Fisher ex-student of St Kieran ance to announce ear app l cia spe a de ma first place the school had tied in

Contact Information ‘The Spirit’ is produced by: The Public Relations and Fundraising Department, St Vincent de Paul Society WA. Copyright 2009. Because we respect the privacy of the people we support, names in this newsletter have been changed, stories summarised and adapted and pictorial models used.

All correspondence can be sent to: Communications Coordinator, Public Relations and Fundraising St Vincent de Paul Society WA, PO BOX 473, Belmont, WA 6984 Email: info@svdpwa.org.au 8 | The Spirit | September 2009

Website: www.vinnies.org.au www.vinnies.org.au