MAKING KIDS LIVes BETTER THIS CHRISTMAS The Official Newsletter of the Children’s Protection Society December 2017 273 Settlement Road Thomastown VIC 3074 | ph: 03 9450 0900 | e: cps@cps.org.au | w: www.cps.org.au
From drug addiction referrals, family counselling, parent support groups and connections to social welfare assistance and general advocacy, CPS Family Services finds the right support for families to address all the issues. Every day our frontline staff encounter heartbreaking stories in our community. Family violence, mental illness, adolescent violence and criminal activity, gambling, alcohol and drug addiction and housing and financial stress are recurring themes encountered by workers.
“I will be forever grateful for the help and support given to me and my children. It’s a sad fact over the past 12 months CPS’ You have helped bring happiness Family Services has seen greater demand and back into our lives.” increasingly complex cases. As such, this year our -Client small, dedicated team provided 22,155 hours of wide ranging service to 381 clients. Notwithstanding, the best efforts of our committed workers won’t change the fact that for clients like Laura* and her son Jack*, Christmas and the long school break is the most challenging time of year. A time where all their issues are amplified. Besides a regulation fight with her abusive ex over where Jack is spending Christmas, Laura won’t be able to afford any items on his Santa’s list. Once she’s purchased a modest present and some decent food for the big day there won’t be anything left to cover more than the basics and bills. Despite all Jack has been through he rarely complains and it breaks Laura’s heart she can’t take him to the movie his friends will undoubtedly see, or to the beach or the zoo. As an extension of the holistic support we provide, this year CPS is seeking donations from our valuable supporters that we’ll convert to vouchers so clients like Laura and Jack can enjoy a nice Christmas lunch and spend a fun day out together. More details on our adventure appeal can be found on pages 6 & 7. We sincerely thank our supporters who enable us to continue providing free counselling and proven early intervention programs which bring hope and happiness to children and families in need, as they seek to move towards long-term independence. you can support the campaign by visit, www.cps.org.au/christmas 2 | making kids lives better this Christmas
150
the number of families who seek assistance from CPS Family Services this Christmas
381
the number of families who received assistance from CPS Family Services in the past 12 months
300
the number of Children CPS will provide presents for this Christmas
22,155 the number of case work hours provided by family services +in the past 12 months
“Christmas can be an exceptionally difficult time for the children and families we support. Simply receiving a gift on Christmas morning can mean the world to struggling families�. 3 | making kids lives better this Christmas
Every $50.00 WaterMarc donation, we can provide an opportunity to a family of four with a full day of water activities at watermarc greensborough.
$50
Help US by paying forward an family adventure today
DONATE A GIFT TODAY
www.cps.org.au/watermarc
P L E H AF
Y O E NJ
C H RI
$100
Every $100.00 donation, we can fill this basket with a week’s groceries to feed a family of four this Christmas. Help Us by paying forward an supermarket voucher today
DONATE A GIFT TODAY
www.cps.org.au/voucher
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L I KE
Every $50.00 AMF Bowling donation, we can provide an opportunity for a family of four with a family bowling experience which includes 2 games and shoe hire. Help US by paying forward an family adventure today
P
$50
www.cps.org.au/bowling DONATE A GIFT TODAY
FAMILY YA
I S TM A S
E
S R U YO
Every $170.00 Funfield Theme Park donation, we can provide an opportunity to a Family of 4 to experience a day of unlimited rides.
$170
Help Us by paying forward an family adventure today
www.cps.org.au/funfields
DONATE A GIFT TODAY
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donate online Help a family enjoy a Christmas like yours, to donate to our Christmas Appeal online please visit
www.cps.org.au/donate or, donate to any of our other campaigns please visit www.cps.org.au/campaigns
donate by mail Children’s Protection Society, 273 Settlement Road Thomastown VIC 3074. Donations of $2 and over are tax deductible.
First Name:
Last Name:
Address: Postcode: Email: Please put my a towards:
Christmas Appeal
Family Swimming Day
Grocery Food Voucher
Family Bowling Day
Funfields Theme Park
I enclose: Cheque / Cash / Money Order / Visa / Mastercard (please circle) Donation amount: $ Card holder name:
Signature:
Card number:
CVC/CV V:
Cheques should be made out to: Children’s Protection Society. Tick to receive future editions of the CPS Making Kids Lives Better newsletter electronically.
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Expiry date:
WE CANT DO THIS ALONE Since 1896, the Children’s Protection Society has been a leader in the community services sector, providing family support, counselling, education and therapeutic services to vulnerable children and families in our community. We would like to thank our valued supporters whose efforts each year enable us to continue working towards expanding and developing our services and programs, ensuring that all children and young people thrive in resilient, strong families and communities. CPS acknowledges the generosity of individuals, businesses, community groups, philanthropic trusts and government departments who support us in helping to break the cycle of child abuse and neglect in families and to improve the life trajectory of children we work with.
Pictured: Crews from John Holland and GVP Fabricators working on the Melbourne Metro Rail Tunnel paused to raise money for CPS at this year’s workers breakfast, proudly supported by the Westin Hotel Melbourne
We thank you for supporting the Children’s Protection Society. 7 | making kids lives better this Christmas
2017: ANOTHER CHALLENGING YET REWARDING YEAR AT CPS We are proud that as an agency we tackle the most difficult and complex issues, our courageous workers never shying away from the confronting situations. Cases such as those shrouded in child abuse, family violence, addiction and intergenerational disadvantage. The Victorian Family Violence Royal Commission findings handed down in March 2016 were followed by the State Government endorsing and funding all 220 recommendations. CPS’s accomplishments in groundbreaking innovative evidence based practice was recognised by the Government in entrusting us to lead the delivery of key early intervention family violence trials that focus on children. Originating in Canada, the evidence based Caring Dads and Mothers in Mind programs address the effects of family violence from a child centered perspective. Early indications from participants are positive, and we look forward to changing the outcomes for as many at-risk families as possible in coming years.
two significant appraisals by ACECQA; our Child & Family Centre in West Heidelberg afforded the rare feat of being re-awarded an ‘Excellent’ rating, shortly followed by our expanding Korin Korin kinder ‘exceeding’ the National Quality Framework Standard in just its second year of operation. The CPS Board and Management are currently defining our strategic directions for 2018-2020 with a strong focus on innovative, evidence-based and outcomes driven services supported by a contemporary and agile infrastructure. At the heart of this plan will be our continued mission and vision that children and young people thrive in resilient, strong and safe families and communities. We look forward to sharing our plan with you in the coming months.
It has been a busy year and we sincerely thank our committed and passionate staff, and volunteers who work with hearts full of hope, who believe in the strengths of the children and families they support, and hold close the values of integrity, respect and accountability Further to taking on a lead role directly in the work they do. To our Patrons and addressing various forms of vulnerability, the Board who give their time because we are sharing our depth of knowledge they are passionate and believe that more broadly within our sector and children, young people and families the wider community. Our Professional have every right to be nurtured and Development and Education Unit has supported, thank you. sought to grow its presence in this space - a timely endeavor with the We cannot do this work alone and it is Victorian Government’s introduction of made possible by all our supporters who mandatory Child Safe Standards for all provide us with much needed funds to organisations that work with children. ensure we continue making a difference in children’s lives. It is this support Meanwhile, CPS’ commitment to that encourages and inspires us in the quality was evidenced by our Early challenging yet highly rewarding work Years Education Program achieving we undertake every day. 8 | making kids lives better this Christmas
A gift to the Children’s Protection Society in your Will is one of the most generous and lasting ways you can make a life-changing difference to vulnerable children and families in need.
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REFLECTIONS OF A MENTORING MUM Mentoring Mums gave me greater appreciation and perspective of ongoing, day-to-day challenges families face. Whilst many carry on in an organic and effortless manner, for others the very same simple tasks can be difficult. Through this program I was lucky to meet a 24 year old woman with new born twins, a 5 and 8 year old and a loving, caring husband doing his best to provide for his family. I say I was lucky as my interactions taught me how to be resourceful, how to be content with what I have and how to be loving in the most difficult times. Weekly visits helped the family and me to build a trusting friendship. And seeing them in their home environment, I was able to share my life experiences, knowledge and insight with the parents and children in a natural manner. The mentoring program’s holistic approach supports the efforts of the mentor to recognise the individual needs of each circumstance and ensure a nurturing family environment for the children.
This effective strategy enabled this family to turn stumbling blocks into stepping stones. The parents had full understanding and ownership of what was taking place. By sharing experiences with other mentors I was able to think more broadly and deeply how to raise capacity in parents and care givers and how to empower them to create a safe environment for their children. I was grateful for this opportunity to gain experiences which assisted my own professional development and employment. - Sohayla Asari To volunteer, please contact the Mentoring Mums Co-ordinator on 9474 4819 or email cps@cps.org.au. To make an online donation so we can continue providing for vulnerable and isolated mums in the community, visit www.cps.org.au/mentor.
More than 100 guests gathered at the Regent Theatre’s beautiful Plaza Ballroom for CPS’ newest event TREND ‘A Night of Fashion and Fun’. TREND showcased today’s fashion designs from The Ark Clothing Co Melbourne, featured a live performance from Australian music icons Deborah Conway and Willy Zygier and raised community awareness for our Mentoring Mum’s program.
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STAY CONNECTED ANYWHERE, ANYTIME Make sure that you keep up to date will all things Children’s Protection Society and don’t miss out on the stories, news, announcements, events and much much more.
WEB For everything you need to know from programs and services information, events, professional training course, latest news, events and social fundraising activities make sure you head to our new website full of content for you to explore.
www.cps.org.au
SOCIAL MEDIA If you want info there and then in the palms of your hands go no further than our social media outlets. Follow us or like us and best of all its free. Facebook.com/childrensprotectionsociety
@CPS1896
E-NEWSLETTER Another great way to stay up to date if you don’t have a social media account, sign up for our free monthly E-Newsletter full of information and stories of the work CPS does in the community.
www.cps.org.au/newsletter
VOLUNTEER People of all ages, from a variety of cultural backgrounds, with various life and work experiences, and who have sometime available, are encouraged to become a volunteer with us.
www.cps.org.au/volunteer
FUNDRAISE FOR US You can help vulnerable members of the community by making a donation, supporting a campaign, a bequest or by starting your own social fundraising page for CPS to help keep our essentials services going.
www.cps.org.au/fundraising 11 | making kids lives better this Christmas
2017 CHRISTMAS APPEAL CPS.ORG.AU/CHRISTMAS PLEASE GIVE SO CPS CAN PROVIDE AT-RISK FAMILIES CHRISTMAS LUNCH AND A FUN FESTIVE HOLIDAY EXPERIENCE TOGETHER.