‘Hundreds in crisis’ in Macarthur area

Sydney
7 July 2002

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‘Hundreds in crisis’ in Macarthur area

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‘Hundreds in crisis’ in Macarthur area

Volunteers involved in emergency assistance in the Macarthur district “see hundreds of local women and children who are in financial crisis because they have fled a violent relationship or are trying to keep a family together despite the threat of constant violence”, according to Brian Murnane.

He was speaking at the start of the St Vincent de Paul Society's Macarthur Winter Appeal.

Brian, the Wollongong diocesan president, said in relation to the Society’s report Home Is Where the Heartache Is: the hidden problem of domestic violence that every day local people are seeking financial or housing assistance due to circumstances caused by family violence.

The work in the Macarthur district is primarily carried out by the Society’s local team of 500 volunteers, working in 37 different local groups and services.

Each year, the Society assists 9,500 families and individuals (a cumulative total of 29,000 people) in the Macarthur area with food, financial help, clothing and furniture, giving $360,000 in direct assistance.

Today, there are 13 parish-based groups (conferences) between Macquarie Fields and Bargo, with a total membership of 136. They are also involved in visiting sick and isolated people, in their homes, in hospitals and nursing homes.

The Society also provides up to 104 beds every night for homeless people in refuges and houses between St Andrews and Tahmoor.

In the past year, it has provided crisis housing to more than 750 people.

The Society’s range of specialist services helps people at times of homelessness to address fundamental issues in their lives, and to work with communities for positive social change.

It is also involved in helping people recover from alcohol, drug and gambling addictions, equipping people with greater budgeting and living skills, and breaking down social isolation caused by poverty and illness.

The Society has eight shops (or centres) in the Macarthur region, involving a team of 263 volunteers and six paid staff, that provide its main source of local funds.

They are also a first point of contact for people seeking help.

In partnership with the parish-based conferences, they provide $110,000 worth of clothing and furniture to needy families each year and help co-ordinate the Society’s response to natural disasters.

The Macarthur Friends of St Vincent de Paul held a Winter Appeal dinner at the Camden Civic Centre on Saturday, June 29, to raise urgently needed funds to support the Society’s work in the district.

More than 250 people attended .

A doorknock appeal will be held across Macarthur from September 14 to 22.

For inquiries, or to make

a contribution to the Winter Appeal in the Macarthur area to support their fantastic work, please contact the Wollongong diocesan office on (02) 9820 8223.

You can also make a credit card donation to the appeal statewide by calling 13 18 12.