COVID19 and our Community Works  

COVID19 has had a marked impact on our community works as each has responded in their unique way given their circumstances. The Boards have been very engaged with their Leaders to ensure that not only the people they served were well looked after, but the ministry could respond financially as well.

Wellsprings for Women

It is pleasing to report that money promised through grants and donations have not been withdrawn from government agencies.  This has allowed WFW to offer on-line and remote learning for their 500 women who are registered with them.  Further, the donations of laptops from St Joseph’s College and Kilbreda College has allowed these women to continue to participate from home. Home visits have been transferred to phone conversations and the City of Casey has offered to support the food deliveries that WFW organise.

Employees and volunteers for WFW are largely working from home and stay connected on-line.  The new Norm!

Brigidine Asylum Seeker Project

While so many of us have been working from home, the co-ordinators of BASP have been going into the Brigidine Ministry centre every day. Despite all the government assistance for many who have been stood down from the workforce, those in our community seeking refuge and asylum have once again been neglected by our government. So BASP became an essential service to those who have nowhere else to turn. Their wellbeing being monitored largely over the phone these days but home deliveries with essential supplies are still being delivered to the door step. 

Availability of cash is essential in these times and we known that BASP often fills this gap for our refugees.  Killester College provided a substantial donation of Easter eggs and other goods to tie some families over at Easter.  Donations of this sort are always welcomed, needed and appreciated by the BASP team.

Presentation Family Centre

The isolation restrictions and the social distancing recommendation made it difficult for PFC to remain open. The Board worked quickly to propose another business model to ensure that available accommodation was made available to the most vulnerable. As with WFW, money already promised has not been withdrawn but there has been a drastic drop in the activities that PFC can offer.

Farewell and thank you to Lisa Grey

During this time, the Board farewelled Lisa Grey as the Manager of PFC.  While Lisa had only been with PFC for a short time, her impact was notable.  The cottages were refurbished and some bathrooms updated; she strengthen the links in the community and developed new partnerships and she revised internal processes and policies.  Lisa has returned to work with Victoria Police, a position she admits missing while she was with PFC.  A new role to response to the bush fire crisis and now COVID19 was introduced and Lisa was appointed as its new manager. We wish her the very best and thank her for her energetic and positive contribution to PFC.