Nomination Letter

Manningham Council 

Volunteer Group of the Year Nomination 

Since 2001 FaithCare has consistently worked to assist those in our community in their time of need.  

In 2008 they launched the ‘Partnership Program’ which has helped establish a place of hope for community members in low income situations; a place that meets needs, equips, strengthens and partners with 25 families and individuals in our community each year.  

Partnership families are provided with access to counseling services, budgeting assistance, life skills courses, grocery parcels, bread, clothing and more as we work together to accomplish goals, access hope and achieve change.

For an hour each Monday night throughout the year both the volunteers and participants meet for coffee and a friendly chat. Children are cared for so that parents can relax and discuss their week, burdens are shared and emotional support is always on offer. 

In addition to this weekly event the Faithcare program also entails celebrating together major events throughout the year such as birthdays, Xmas and Easter. Some highlights of the program during 2008 included;

‘Kick in for Kicks’ - This involved volunteers partnering with a child from the Faithcare program for a day, teaching them valuable new life skills. Children were all rewarded for their effort on the day with a gift bag that included a $100 dollar voucher for new shoes.

 

‘Kick in for Xmas’ – This entailed all volunteers joining with the FaithCare participants in an organized car cleaning day. New skills were learnt and families were rewarded for their effort with generous Xmas hampers.

‘Mothers Day’ - On mother’s day all mums were treated to a special night of pampering, we had our hair and make up done for us and were then photographed in professional studio like shots with our families. From these photos one was chosen to be enlarged and framed and given to us as a gift.

Father’s Day – For Fathers day all dads attending Faithcare were presented with a gift voucher that enabled them to take their children out to a local restaurant for special dinner.

 My Personal Experience 

I originally attended the program for practical assistance like food hampers, but I have found so much more than I could have ever dreamed possible. The volunteers at Faithcare have become like a family to me and my children, they have helped support us in so many ways, practically, emotionally, financially and spiritually.

They readily offer their support, and compassion for whatever you are facing in your life, as one participant explained “they help people on welfare feel like they are worthy of support and encouragement and this leads to our self esteem growing and our lives changing”

The volunteers at Faithcare are truly committed to teaching us the skills needed to overcome issues like financial crisis, family violence and isolation. Their happiness to spend time with me and their belief in me as a person has ensured that I have grown from a place of total despair to one of hope.

Whilst attending Faithcare I have achieved so much in my life, I have left an abusive relationship, have beaten a drug addiction, overcome anorexia, begun to reconcile with my family and have learnt how to be in social situations. 

I have goals and a plan for my family’s future and I’ve even flown an aeroplane!!  The dedicated group of volunteers at Faithcare have inspired me to believe in my own abilities, to trust that I am capable and that given the right tools and assistance I can achieve anything.

Please consider this amazing team for Volunteer Group Of the Year. It would be a well earned recognition for a team that is changing lives in its local community. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I believe that the assistance offered by the volunteers at Faithcare has benefited me and/or my family in a positive way. We are grateful for the supportive environment on a Monday night, the practical and effective courses offered and the wonderful events we have been able to participate in throughout 2008.