The Supporter is a quarterly magazine providing a collection of stories from across the AnglicareSA community.
Spring 2023
Dementia care research Rental crisis hits essential workers Sharing culture
Message from the CEO
We have a lot to be grateful for at AnglicareSA, and we like to say thank you to those in our community who help us to change lives.
Shyanne’s story on page 7 demonstrates the life-changing impacts of these programs. Finding an affordable rental property in a convenient location is becoming increasingly difficult across Australia. Anglicare Australia’s latest rental affordability snapshot focussed on essential workers, and it shows the situation is dire for those seeking a rental property in Adelaide. There are next to no properties that are affordable for this vital group of workers. That’s why we were so pleased that the Federal Government’s Housing Australia Future Fund finally passed through the Senate recently. Believe Housing Australia, like many other Tier 1 Community Housing Providers, has projects ready for the release of the funds. Every new property built is a small step towards easing the housing crisis across Australia and making life a little easier for those seeking to put a roof over their heads. First Nations customers living in our exceptional needs accommodation have been sharing their culture with their housemates and support workers through cultural sharing days. These events are important to the customers to continue their cultural connections as well as being a wonderful opportunity for others to share,
celebrate, and learn about First Nations cultures and traditions. We’re looking forward to the next one, later this year. AnglicareSA has a proud history of partnering with universities to further our knowledge and understanding of issues that impact the lives of those we serve. Most recently, our residential aged care team partnered with UniSA to research dementia care. This research has resulted in the development of dedicated Dementia Care Teams at two of our sites, which are educated in dementia care to improve the quality of life for residents living with dementia. Finally, I thank everyone who generously supported our Winter Appeal which raised much-needed funds for our Emergency Assistance program. Emergency Assistance is one of our AnglicareSA-funded programs, reliant on donations and corporate support. Another such AnglicareSA- funded program is Star Bear – providing loss and grief camps for young people. You can read more about Star Bear on page 11. If you are able, I encourage you to donate to AnglicareSA to ensure we can continue to provide this unique and highly regarded program. Thank you for your ongoing support. Together we change lives.
Each September, we do just that as we mark Foster and Kinship Carer Week. Foster and kinship carers make a huge contribution to our community. They open their hearts and homes to keep children and young people safe and give them opportunities to thrive and succeed in life. AnglicareSA is one of South Australia’s largest foster care providers. Last year financial year we supported 585 children and young people across 381 foster care families. You can read the stories of two of our amazing foster carers on page 8. If their stories inspire you, give us a call and find out how you can become a foster carer. For young people leaving the out-of-home care system as they reach adulthood, life can be challenging. Often, they don’t have the skills or the support they need to navigate their way into an independent life. That’s where programs such as AnglicareSA’s Launch 180 and Post Care Pathways come in. Working alongside young people from 16-18 (Launch 180) and 18-25 (PCP), these programs support young people to develop necessary skills, create connections within the community, access subsidised housing, and eventually support them into private rental accommodation and an independent life.
Grant Reubenicht Chief Executive Officer
Cover: Catherine started out providing disability respite care before becoming a foster mum to a six-month old boy in 2016.
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Leading the way with dementia care research
AnglicareSA’s Trott Park and Elizabeth East residential aged care sites have joined with the University of South Australia in a research project focussing on dementia care. Titled Critical Dementia Pathways: Transforming Dementia Care , the UniSA project is being conducted in collaboration with the Rosemary Bryant AP Research Centre and has resulted in the development of dedicated Dementia Care Teams. The teams – consisting of employees, including management, clinical, and care staff – ensure a comprehensive and holistic approach to dementia care and have been educated on the principles of Dementia Care Pathways. The program pathways have been integrated into high-risk meetings, where identified risks are appropriately triaged and referred to specialists as required, allowing for early intervention and targeted support to minimise
Our dedicated Dementia Care Teams consist of management, clinical, and care employees like Raksha, Christine, Simran, and Claudette
The goal is to improve the quality of life for residents living with dementia through promoting their wellbeing. Graydn Spinks, Executive General Manager, Aged Care Services, said the Dementia Care Teams were highly motivated and committed to this research project. “They are proud of the work accomplished so far and are enthusiastic about the positive changes they have observed,” said Graydn.
“The research project is progressing well. UniSA anticipates finalising it by the end of this year and everyone is excited about the potential impact of the project and the anticipated positive outcomes on resident care.” Publication of the research project is provisionally scheduled for January 2024.
the potential for inappropriate administration of psychotropic medications.
Technology and Transformation EGM appointed
Freya Newton has been appointed as Executive General Manager, Technology and Transformation for AnglicareSA.
Freya was previously AnglicareSA’s Head of Technology and Transformation. She brings with her a wealth of experience from her previous roles within the technology sector over many years and a strong dedication to leading AnglicareSA into the next phase of its journey in this space.
Freya is passionate about technology and will continue to provide strategic leadership focusing on delivering quality solutions and outcomes for our employees and customers in an ever changing environment.
Freya Newton
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Supporter Spring 2023
Rental crisis hits essential workers
South Australia’s essential workers in full-time work are being hit hard by the rental crisis, with close to zero affordable rentals available to them in the metropolitan area.
While the couple are grateful to have finally secured a roof over their heads, the extra $150 per week in rent, plus the additional cost of petrol for each to travel further to work, has had a big impact on their lifestyle. “We’ve had to tighten our budget a lot. We can’t enjoy a lot of the things we used to, like going out,” she said. “We’re lucky we have somewhere to live. A lot of other people don’t.” Andrea knows her homelessness clients are a lot worse off than her. “Its much worse for them,” she said. “They often have a lot more issues, like mental health issues, anxiety especially, because you’re in the sort of situation where you’re living in a motel every day. It’s really challenging.” “Even if people on a low or middle income are able to secure a rental, it often means making difficult choices between essential items, often going without food, heating, or other basics to meet rising rents.” Ms Northover said housing supply is what is needed. “We, like many other proven housing providers, have shovel-ready projects for the release of the Housing Australia Future Fund.” even then, affordability rates sat at two per cent or less. Believe Housing Australia’s Executive General Manager, Stacey Northover, said low vacancy rates and rising rents affected everyone, and South Australians were finding themselves in housing stress and even homeless for the first time. “We know the situation is dreadful for those on the lowest incomes, but this survey demonstrates that the housing system is also failing those on middle incomes, including those in full-time work,” she said.
For those essential workers wanting to live in Adelaide’s south, west, or northern suburbs, the situation is dire, with zero to two per cent of available properties considered affordable. The Adelaide Central and Hills areas had the highest number of properties affordable to essential workers but
Anglicare Australia’s latest Rental Affordability Snapshot, released in August, focused on essential workers in full-time work. The outlook for South Australian workers is bleak, with less than seven per cent of rentals affordable to any category of full-time employed essential workers.
Andrea’s story
“We didn’t think we would have so much trouble finding a place. “But every inspection we went to had queues of so many people there, all trying to find a private rental like us. Our applications kept getting rejected. “It’s very depressing. You start to doubt whether you’ll ever find somewhere to live.” “We knew we would have to become more flexible with how much we paid and where we would live.” Eventually, after more than three months, Andrea and her husband were successful in securing a private rental – for $550 per week, a lot further away from their places of work, and in a house that is bigger than they needed.
Working in the homelessness sector, Andrea knows only too well the challenges facing people trying to find a suitable and affordable rental property in South Australia. But when her landlord gave her 90 days’ notice to vacate the northern suburbs rental property she shared with her husband, she experienced firsthand just how tough the rental crisis is. “We are both employed, we have no children and no pets, and we could afford to spend $400 per week on rent,” said Andrea.
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Sharing culture
AnglicareSA’s Disability and Wellbeing team and customers of the Exceptional Needs program came together in July for their second cultural sharing day at Tauondi Aboriginal College. AnglicareSA’s Exceptional Needs program provides culturally appropriate and customer focused support to 10 First Nations men. Each customer is assisted with the supports they require to maintain connection to family, community, culture, and spirituality. Led by the First Nations men, the first cultural sharing day was held earlier in the year and was a beautiful opportunity for customers and employees to gather and learn more about First Nations culture through shared ceremonies, food, music, and activities.
Exceptional needs customer Adam with Disability and Wellbeing team member Kate Anderson
With live music, basketball, and a deep sense of connection, the sharing day wrapped up with an amazing lunch prepared and cooked by the Disability and Wellbeing team. The next cultural sharing day will be held in December.
The second cultural sharing day saw customers and employees create some colourful and often intricate dot paintings on terracotta pots that were then used to plant native herbs to take home. The First Nations men also demonstrated wood burning techniques so participants could decorate their own clapsticks with Indigenous symbols to share their own stories.
Child-friendly businesses awarded
Congratulations to the 22 child-friendly businesses south of Adelaide recognised by our annual Communities for Children Onkaparinga Business Awards. The awards champion businesses in the Onkaparinga area that create innovative, welcoming, and supportive environments for children and their families. The awards are run by the Communities for Children Onkaparinga Initiative, funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services, and facilitated by AnglicareSA. Congratulations to all our award winners and thank you to everyone in the community who voted.
– Adelaide Fresh Fruiterers Morphett Vale – Blue Dolphin Swim Centre – Grow Paediatric Therapy – Jungle in Willunga – the WOW Sensory Centre Morphett Vale This year’s Community Vote Excellence Award winners are:
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Supporter Spring 2023
You’ve got a friend in Frances
A resident at the site for just a year herself, Frances was approached by the Customer Wellness team who were looking to develop the role of Resident Companion. Customer Wellness Coordinator Jennifer Pilling said the role was also about having someone that would be with residents who did not want to engage in activities and yet felt lonely or agitated. “It was obvious that Frances would be ideal in this role, and she has taken to it with enthusiasm,” Jennifer said. “Frances has been doing this role for a little more than four months now and we did an evaluation recently of the role and the other residents rated her highly. “They said she was a wonderful friendly face that was always welcoming and gave them comfort when they needed it.”
Meet Frances. Frances is the friendly face that welcomes new residents into AnglicareSA’s Westbourne Park residential aged care site. Given the role of Resident Companion, for the last four months Frances has been helping newcomers to the site make a smooth transition into living at Westbourne Park. “I like to show them where everything is,” Frances said, with a bright smile and beaming pride in her official title. “I help them settle in from a resident’s point of view and do everything from going on the bus with them, where to find things, or just talking. “My dinner table is known as the Happy Table because everyone is included, and people know they can sit and talk and be welcomed.” Inspirational awards Believe Housing Australia (BHA) was proud to receive two awards at the Australasian Housing Institute (AHI) Brighter Future Awards in September. Believe Housing Australia Tenancy Officer Jamie Ward won the Inspirational Team Member award for her contribution to the housing team, and BHA won the Innovation Award for our Solar Project in partnership with AnglicareSA and 369 Labs. The Solar Project installs solar systems on our community housing properties, at no expense to tenants. For the tenants it means reduced energy bills and a better understanding of how to control and when they use energy throughout the day, as well as reducing their carbon footprint. Believe Housing Australia’s Executive General Manager Stacey Northover said the Innovation Award for the Solar Project celebrated BHA’s unwavering
Frances loves welcoming new residents to Westbourne Park
Frances is relishing her role and describes it is as her “church work” where she also volunteers her time to helping others. Her commitment and efforts were recently recognised as part of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day activities where she was one of several residents who were acknowledged with Certificates of Merit for their volunteer roles within the site.
Believe Housing Australia was delighted to be recognised at the Australasian Housing Institute Brighter Future Awards
“Our employees serve as the lifeblood of our organisation, and this marks the second Inspirational Team Member award we’ve received from AHI. Every day, I take immense pride in the remarkable work our team accomplishes and the unwavering courage they exhibit.” The AHI awards are judged by peers across the industry, and winning entries now go on to the National Awards in October.
dedication to enhance lives and nurture sustainable communities through groundbreaking ideas and unwavering commitment. “This partnership serves as a remarkable exemplar of what can be accomplished when local businesses collaborate with the community housing sector, ultimately benefiting tenants who require all available assistance to avoid falling into poverty during these challenging times,” she said. Believe Housing Australia was also delighted to see Jamie Ward receive the Inspirational Team Member Award.
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An independent future looking bright at home
When Shyanne looks back on her 18 years of life living in state care, she beams with a smile and talks excitedly about the future knowing the road ahead is hers to shape. With the support of AnglicareSA, which came into her life in recent years, Shyanne has recently moved into a brand-new apartment and is enjoying a flourishing career in event management. “I look back at my life a year ago to now, or five years ago until now, and no way would I think I could be here,” Shyanne says. “I wouldn’t think I’d be working yet and now I’ve already been promoted and I’m looking at getting team leadership contracts. “I am working for a company that does expos, conventions, and festivals around Adelaide, so I’ve worked on things like Illuminate and the Adelaide 500. “I had no clue this is something you could do and it’s fantastic – I love this job so much.” It’s a big shift away from her start to life when, along with her twin brother, Shyanne was placed into foster care at five months of age. This was the beginning of a long journey of placement breakdowns, frequent house moves, and fractured family relationships. “My brother and I did the maths one day because we were together most of the time,” Shyanne recalls. “I think, before we stopped living together because it just wasn’t working anymore, we did about 20 different placements including biological sisters and residential care.” Shyanne was referred to AnglicareSA’s Launch 180 program – a service for young people aged 16 to 18 under the Guardianship of the Minister which provides 24/7 support in independent accommodation.
Shyanne
Such was the personal growth in Shyanne in recent years, she proved to be a model tenant at PCP, keeping her unit clean and tidy and continuing to develop as a working young adult. It meant when an apartment through an $11 million Believe Housing Australia social and affordable housing development became available in July, AnglicareSA helped her secure the rental, set up utilities at her new home, helped her move in, and to this day remains in touch. Shyanne has nothing but praise for the support she has been given, knowing that anything is possible for her now as she acknowledges her past while taking full control of her future.
Learning essential life skills including budgeting and how to keep a clean home, it set Shyanne up for the next stage of her life as she neared 18 and faced the need to find permanent accommodation. The Post Care Pathways (PCP) program, run by AnglicareSA and Believe Housing Australia, provides subsidised housing through self- contained, one-bedroom apartments in Adelaide’s inner south-west for young people leaving care from age 18 to 25. “I thought I’d just private rent and find something else and then obviously I couldn’t because there’s a housing crisis and I can’t afford a private rental. “It’s close to the city, close to my work, there’s shopping, coffee, and food – everything really.”
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Supporter Spring 2023
Celebrating our foster and kinship carers Each year in September, during Foster and Kinship Carer Week, we celebrate our dedicated foster and kinship carers and the contributions they make to the lives of children and young people. Here are the stories of two of our foster carers who have opened their hearts and their homes to give young people opportunities to thrive and succeed in life.
An opportunity to thrive When the eldest of Lidia’s three foster children turned 18, she supported him to make his own choices about where he wanted to live. He chose to remain at home with Lidia and her family. That was three years ago.
It was 13 years ago when three siblings – a boy who was eight-years-old at the time, his sister aged six and their younger brother, then aged three – moved in with Lidia, who was supported by AnglicareSA. Her family, including her sons – then aged seven and 16 – were ready, willing, and welcoming of the challenge of helping children in need. “You settle as you go, and you work together as a family,” says Lidia. “I have seen the transformation … when they first came to now.
Originally from the African nation of Burundi, foster carer Lidia moved to Adelaide 16 years ago and wanted to open her loving family home to children in need. “Sometimes kids can find themselves in challenging situations and they want things to change,” Lidia said. “They can, when they are given the opportunity – that’s what pushed me in the first place to become a carer.” Making a difference As a special needs educator, Catherine knew she had so much to offer a child and, in 2016 with the support of AnglicareSA, she didn’t just become a foster carer – she became mum. Catherine came to Australia from the UK in 2011 on a Commonwealth Teacher Exchange, joining the Kilkenny Primary School and working with the two special education classes on campus. Immediately feeling right at home in Australia, she settled, and thoughts turned to new chapters of her life. “I never got around to having kids and I was thinking about how I could make a difference to a child,” Catherine said.
Lidia opened her family home to children in need
the plunge,” she said. “Because I’m an educator with a special needs background, I decided to combine the two.” In 2016 she became foster mum to a six-month-old baby boy with developmental delays who she knew could thrive with her support. “I think it’s definitely worth doing if you’re in a position to do that, because there’s plenty of kids who need that home environment and someone who can advocate and get the interventions early.” With ongoing support from the AnglicareSA Foster Care team, Catherine is now working towards being recognised as a specialist carer to continue to support the growth and development of her foster son, now aged 8. “The oldest, when he turned 18, I told him he could now make a choice about where he wanted to live.” “He said: ‘the other boys still live here. Why would I want the leave?’ and it made me a little teary. We are family. My two adult boys are still at home as well.”
Catherine knew she had a lot to offer
Being single and working full-time Catherine felt, to begin with at least, that being a permanent foster carer might not be practical and signed up to offer respite care. “So, I did disability respite for a little while just to see how it went and it wasn’t long until I was ready to take
For more information on foster care visit our website anglicaresa.com.au/foster-care/starting-your-journey/
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Taking his recovery into his own hands When a stroke threatened to rob Garry of his independence and mobility, he knew the success of his recovery was in his hands. Garry chose to fully commit to his rehabilitation program, smashing the goals set as part of AnglicareSA’s Transition Care Program (TCP). Now Garry is back on his feet and regaining his freedom. “When I had the stroke, it was devastating,” Garry said of the medical emergency that landed him in the Royal Adelaide Hospital. He was left with paralysis down the left-hand side of his body. “When I first got to Hampstead (Rehabilitation Centre), they said it was up to me – either I could let it beat me or I could get stuck into my physiotherapy and occupational therapy.
structured around balance and mobility,” said Garry.
“I reached all my goals, and while I don’t quite have the same strength it is improving, and I have function of my hand, arm, and leg.” Garry is full of praise for the Transition Care Program and the team who worked with him, crediting TCP, and the fact it is delivered in his home, for enabling him to be in the position he is today. “I had someone here every couple of days and it’s such a great package. They also came and did some cleaning for me and provided more intensive supports when I first came home – even shopping. “My coordinator Hannah was fantastic. She kept in contact with me and kept me up to date on the day-to-day stuff. She made me aware of everything that was happening and checked on my progress.” After such a strong recovery, Garry, who is a plumber by trade, is now working toward his next goal – regaining his driver’s license and getting back to being fully independent.
Garry is well on the road to recovery
“So, I went ballistic with my rehab and left there in record time.” Once back at home, Garry was referred by his medical team into AnglicareSA’s Transition Care Program, a 12-week in-home restorative care program delivered at a slower pace than rehabilitation in a hospital and based on goals set by the customer. The AnglicareSA team interpret those goals into therapy with physical and other supports like physiotherapy, occupational therapy, nursing, and care workers to help customers with exercises and recovery in the home. “I had physiotherapy and occupational therapy with the whole program
Homelessness Week in August is an important time to raise awareness for the more than 122,000 Australians who are without a home on any given night. It’s time to end homelessness
This year’s theme was “It’s time to end homelessness”. AnglicareSA and Believe Housing Australia work with the Adelaide North West Homelessness Alliance (ANWHA) to support South Australians in need, and also to raise awareness of the impact of homelessness and the solutions needed to end homelessness because everyone has the right to a safe, secure place to call home. ANWHA is a collaboration between Aboriginal Sobriety Group, AnglicareSA, Centacare Catholic Family Services, SA Housing Authority, St John’s Youth Services, The Salvation Army South Australia, Uniting Communities, and Uniting SA.
CASE STUDY: AMANDA
On any given night, 122,500 Australians are without a home.
Amanda* and her children were living in a one-bedroom motel room for the last 12 months. They were unable to cook nutritious meals or even have a bath. But recently, Amanda and her children secured affordable housing with Believe Housing Australia. Now, the family has the security of an affordable home, and the children have their own bedrooms. Amanda is loving being able to cook in her own kitchen and enjoy a bath at the end of a long day.
* Name has been changed to protect privacy
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Supporter Spring 2023
Shop at Drakes and help those in need For every $2 you spend at Drakes supermarkets, you could make a big difference to the South Australian community. Drakes will donate to local not-for profit organisation one cent for every two dollars spent as part of its Community Dollars Program. To make your grocery dollars help those in need, download and register for the myDrakes app via your app store, select a community dollar partner, and be sure to choose AnglicareSA! Each time you shop at Drakes, a portion of your money spent will support AnglicareSA Emergency Assistance program.
AnglicareSA’s Peter (left) and Allen (right) thank Callum and Rachel from Adbri for the generous donation of furniture and white goods Our Post Care Pathways properties have been given some extra love thanks to a donation of furniture from construction materials and industrial mineral manufacturing company, Adbri. Furnished with generosity
Our Post Care Pathway program incorporates accommodation, employment assistance, alternate education and training, mentoring,
When Adbri recently move offices and had surplus furniture, including refrigerators, lounge suites, and crockery, they generously donated it to the Post Care Pathways program. Our Post Care Pathways program provides support and accommodation for young care leavers aged 18 to 25 who are experiencing homelessness or housing instability or are at risk of homelessness.
wellbeing, and participation. The program is focussed on
empowering young people to thrive by developing their personal resources to make and sustain positive connections in their lives. Thank you, Adbri.
Clothes swap for Compass Catholic Community The Thread Together mobile wardrobe visited the young people of Compass Catholic Community in July.
The visit coincided with their student clothing swap so students had the chance to select items of brand-new clothing from the Thread Together mobile wardrobe while also swapping clothing with their peers. Our Thread Together service provides people in need with brand-new clothes that would otherwise end up in landfill. To date, we’ve saved more than 118,000 items of clothing from landfill and helped tens of thousands of South Australians in need.
To learn more about Drakes Community Dollars program go to their website at: drakes.com.au/community/ community-dollars/
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Creating lasting connections united by grief
When her mum passed away in 2012, Sarah, a teenager at the time, felt isolated in her grief. But, when in the following year she and her younger brother attended an AnglicareSA Star Bear grief and loss camp, she realised she wasn’t alone and forged connections and a bond with others that remains today. “I didn’t really know any other kids who had had a parent pass away,” said Sarah. “Trying to talk to your friends about it is kind of a bit weird when you’re 14, especially when they don’t understand. “So going on the Star Bear Camp and meeting a lot of people my age who also had a parent or someone else pass away was really good because we got to talk about similar experiences. “We were able to learn about loss and grief, what that means, and also how to deal with that – because it’s quite a big thing.” Star Bear Camps are free weekend camps for bereaved children, young people, and families who have lost a parent, sibling, or other significant person. Sarah and her brother who were 15 and 13 at the time were referred to the program by their school. Sarah says she looks back on her camp experience in 2013 fondly, particularly creating the Memory Box for her mum, Honor. “That was a very memorable activity, I guess, because now I’ve got something that I still have 10 years later, which I can still use and still have my memories in there. “We also did a lot of fun activities, lots of outdoor activities with all the other campers, which were really fun to do.
“They start from being like super, super quiet and then I find, especially in the Memory Box activities, there tends to be a lot of time where they start opening up a bit talking about their love one. “Making the box for them opens up the conversation with the mentors and with the other campers.” AnglicareSA’s Star Bear loss and grief camps would not be possible without our many donors, including Variety SA, CatCorp, and the many individuals and businesses who give generously to support this vital program. We have created a video to demonstrate the significant impact made by our generous donors, which can be seen here:
“I really liked doing the memory sharing circle as well, because that was a good point of everyone coming together and then you make quite good connections with people in that circle, even though you’ve never really met before. “I made friends with people on the Star Bear Camp who I’m still friends with now, which is amazing.” With her own camp being so impactful on her journey through grief, Sarah set about using her lived experience to support others following their own path. Initially going back on camp as a 17-year-old Junior Mentor, Sarah, a teacher by profession, still volunteers to this day as a Mentor and sees firsthand the development and change in the campers. “I was like, ‘well, this made such a difference when I was a kid’ so I wanted to help out in that way too – and I can really see how much it means to the kids on camp,” Sarah said.
To find out more about AnglicareSA’s Star Bear loss and grief camps please email starbear@anglicaresa.com.au
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Thank you
Thank you to everyone who so generously donated to our Winter Appeal.
Together, we raised more than $54,000 to support AnglicareSA’s Emergency Assistance services, which provide short-term food relief, once-off rent assistance, clothing, and other basic essentials to individuals and families in financial crisis. We also offer financial counselling and referrals to other wrap-around services. With your support, our Emergency Assistance sites in metropolitan Adelaide and regional South Australia can continue to offer a warm and welcoming place
for people to regain control of their lives. Thank you. We couldn’t do it without you.
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