When his partner left him, Craig found himself responsible for the custody of two young children. For some months tried to locate other accommodation through public housing, non-government organisations etc., without success. He was feeling frustrated and desperate.
He thought he might have better luck in Mount Gambier, even though he knew he had limited supports in the area. He arrived on the bus with two shopping bags and two boys. He was offered an assessment with Anglican Community Care and was considered a high priority.
The young family was housed in a unit with ACC for a short time then moved to house where Craig worked really hard to build a home for his boys.
With assistance from our support worker he was eventually offered public housing, in which he was able to comfortably set up house close to school for his children.
With further support, this family has now moved back to Craig’s birth town, where he has re-established strong ties with his extended family, and has made very positive changes to his life. He said that this would have not been possible without the support of ACC.
A single dad
"he felt lonely and unsupported"
A young father whose partner had recently died came to us for help. He was the full time carer for their three children and having only recently moved to the area he felt lonely and unsupported. Our Family Support Service was just what he needed to help him cope under difficult circumstances. We immediately arranged for him to see a counsellor to help him with his grieving over the loss of his partner, and assisted with identifying other problems where support was needed. Over a three month period the ACC worker visited the home, and working with both the father and the children, helped them to re-discover the skill of every day coping.
Together, they learnt about coping with a crisis, developed budgeting skills, built support networks andincreased their self esteem and confidence. The young dad learnt more about children’s behaviour, and managed and supported his children with increasing confidence and skill.
Social isolation is a common problem for low income families living rurally, so we also helped them to increase their participation in the community, and widen their choices as they learnt to set their own goals, make their own decisions and solve their own problems.
After three months, the family had clear rules for managing household chores and there was a greater understanding of effective parenting, and they were coping well after the tragedy they had experienced. The children were involved with school and community activities, and knowledge of local resources had been provided. While life is still not easy for this family they are actively involved with the community and have a greater understanding of each other, and better skills to cope with the ups and downs or every day life.
Young, abandoned and alone
"his long term goal is to attend university"
A 14 year old boy had been abandoned, and was living in substandard conditions. When referred to ACC, he was literally without family or other supports, and was in physical danger. He had little to look forward to, and was feeling very alone. Through the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program, we were able to support him, and refer him for financial support, connect him with the health services that he needed, and also arrange for his continuing education.
Gradually we could see him responding to being supported as he became involved with the wider community, participated in school activities, and started striving to reach his full potential. He has now completed Year 12 and participated in one of Anglican Community Care’s programs. His long term goal is to attend university and get a degree. There is now no reason why he should not do so.
Releasing the potential
"she was pregnant and experiencing relationship difficulties"
A young Indigenous mother came to one of our playgroups with her toddler. She was pregnant with her second child and was experiencing some relationships difficulties, including domestic violence.
Our Family Support Team began visiting her in her home, to help her with parenting and to offer some personal counseling. With support, she found the courage to make positive changes in her life and her relationship with her partner. Life at home became peaceful, and she was able to focus on the future of her little family.
She enrolled in our Gaining Ground program to further her education, so that she could find opportunities to build a better life for herself and her children. Her two little girls became founding members of our crèche.
She enjoyed her study and was helped to discover hidden potentials in herself. After one year she was accepted into a University program, and now urges others to try.
“Without the support and encouragement of the Family Services Team I could never have come this far”, she told us proudly, and with gratitude.
