Page 20 - Unity Edn 43

What's happening with Vinnies in the Territory
t Vincent de Paul Society in the NT has
operated for 70 years beginning at St
SMary’s Cathedral a few years after WW2.
The immediate need for the members of the St
Mary’s conference was providing food, clothing
and shelter.
Decades later the Society is working with the
poor to provide the same. Vinnies works for the
poor – they can be those unemployed, refugees,
homeless, addicted to substances and alcohol,
young people who are homeless and to anyone
who comes to us for help.
Most Territorians know the Vinnies stores and we
are grateful for the support we have had over
all these years. These funds are critical for the
Society to continue its work. We also work with
Government in programs to support housing,
emergency relief and support of the aged who are
living in their own homes. Our relationship with NT
Govt and Federal Govt is positive and respectful.
What you may not know is how much we do…..
Housing - this is the biggest focus of our work.
When a person has a roof over their head they are
more likely to find work, to complete an education,
maintain a healthy lifestyle and be able to keep
their family together.
Same House Different Landlord – we manage
4 houses in Darwin and we are looking to expand
this program to Alice Springs and more properties
in Darwin. Our houses are rented to families who
usually will have a female head and often that
woman will have been released from corrective
services and would have had her children in care.
The family is supported by our housing program
officers to learn how to look after the house,
pay the bills, keep up with the rent and provide
nutritious food for the family. We have had many
families who after 3-6 months of support will
take on the lease of this house from NT Govt and
Vinnies starts with another house and another
family.
Bakhita and Ted Collins – these buildings at
Coconut Grove are owned by the Society. There
are 20 units for families and 30 single rooms for
men and we will be accommodating single women
in a building on the site soon, this is in response
to a chronic lack of emergency and longer term
housing for single women.
Ormonde House and Bernhard St – Katherine
– again managed by the Society Ormonde House
is emergency housing for single men often with
limited skills in looking after themselves and with
a history of substance and alcohol abuse. Bernard
St is 46 units which house some of the poorest
families and elderly, mainly Aboriginal. This is a
new property for us and it is going well.
Aged Care Support – Vinnies manage home
maintenance and garden work for elderly
Territorians who are staying in their home and
need help. We have over 300 recipients we help.
Emergency Relief – this is to support people
who need some short term help such as food
vouchers and clothing. We also provide support
for prescriptions, and bond money for housing.
Our Conferences are the backbone of the
organisation. They are made up of volunteers
who join the Society and work in the suburbs and
public housing complexes in Darwin by visiting
people and providing furniture and friendship. Our
relationships with our companions is at the heart
of the work of the Society.
Fay Gurr
President