Helping James reach his goals

We are three weeks into this month and SJC has supported and assisted approximately 225 people with food, finance and moral support.

The centre has also provided people with advocacy and information to assist them in improving their current situation.

A gentleman called James (not his real name) came into the SJC recently for assistance, a catch up with Therese, our Community Worker, who he has been seeing for approximately ten months.

James has experienced homelessness. Therese assisted James to gain housing in Ainslie Village and generous donations from the community assisted in providing furniture for him.

James is long term unemployed, but would like his situation to change. He has various work tickets which unfortunately have been lost or stolen over the years. We are now working with James to assist him to have these reallocated to him without cost. This is step two for James to reach his goals and sustain an independent lifestyle.

James is a very caring man who often visits his elderly mother who is in care. He enjoys telling her of the changes and achievements he is making to his life.

Coming up on Saturday 3 March we have our “Taste of Sri Lanka Dinner” at St John’s Parish Hall, starting at 6pm. The cost is $30 per adult, teens between 13yo and 18yo are $10 each and children 12yo and under are free. This event will assist us to raise much needed funds for SJC.

We are hoping for 100 people on the night, bookings can be made by calling the St John’s Parish Office on 6248 8399. Our thanks to the Australian Sri Lankan Association which is providing the meal for the St John’s Care Supporters and others. Invite your friends

St John’s Care runs the Marriage Education Program: Making Love Last for people about to get married. The first one for this year will be in March.

Please call SJC on 6248 7771 to book or hear more about the program.

This year has seen a significant demand in need for people with financial difficulties. As a result we are seeing more people attending the Centre and are finding it challenging to meet the increased demand.

Wish list: Honey, powdered milk, flour, cooking oil and school lunch items.

Also, if you have spare plastic bags around the house, please drop them in as we go through many in the Centre each week.

Sarah Murdoch

A/Executive Officer

#help #homeless