Message from the CEO
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to require AnglicareSA to be agile in the delivery of our vital services and programs, as growing numbers of people find themselves in need of our help.
We worked with the State and Federal Governments, other social service agencies and the universities to provide rent relief and food packages, and we continue to provide support to this group within in the community. Community and church groups have also stepped up to provide ongoing support. Unemployment among young people continues to be a problem and our Transition to Work program is supporting many young people to develop the skills and confidence they need to give them the edge in their job hunt. Despite the pandemic, we continue our strategic growth in our housing portfolio, with the completion of the first nine new properties in our 10-year social and affordable housing development program. Another key strategic focus is the role of research in the development and refinement of our programs and services. We have partnered with Flinders University’s Social Work Innovation Research Living Space on research to develop evidence-based programs to support young people, especially those leaving the foster care system.
Key to our flexibility is technology, and we have been grateful to receive grant funding for our financial counselling and suicide prevention programs, allowing us to provide these programs online, as well as to travel to meet with those needing services further afield. Grant funding from the Anglican Board of Mission has also allowed us to continue our efforts to support communities affected by this year’s bushfires. Technology has further strengthened our Home Care Package services, with many customers receiving services via Telehealth. Finding ways to offer our service while keeping our customers safe from the threat of COVID-19 has been crucial. We recently saw the human face of the economic impacts of the pandemic, with our Magdalene Centre being overwhelmed with requests for emergency assistance from hundreds of international students. Having lost their casual employment, no access to welfare payments, and many of their families in their home countries doing it tough too, the students are struggling to pay the rent and afford food.
Celebrating diversity in our community has taken on a different feel this year, with planned gatherings moved online for both Refugee Week and National Reconciliation Week. Our celebrations included an employee digital reconciliation conversation, which was recorded by artist Zahra Zainal in the graphic art piece seen on page 3. As we move forward during these uncertain times, one thing we can be sure of is that the demand for AnglicareSA’s services will only continue to grow. AnglicareSA is well positioned to provide support to the South Australian community as we continue to negotiate COVID-19, but we do need your support. If you can afford it, please give to our Spring Appeal and help us, through our Turning Point program, to help families on the brink of homelessness. Thank you for your ongoing support. Together we change lives.
Peter Sandeman Chief Executive Officer AnglicareSA
Cover photo: Aboriginal singer-songwriter, Nathan May, who performed at this year’s online Rec in the West event, with AnglicareSA Director, Aboriginal Services, Sonia Waters.
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