What we do

When someone comes to us
seeking help we consider all
aspects of their life experience, from housing, finances and
learning, to relationships and
cultural backgrounds.

We design individual strategies with an emphasis on skill
development, prevention and early intervention to achieve
successful outcomes.

Our services

Request a service

Financial Counselling

Financial Counselling services offered by ac-care
Our staff and volunteers are passionate about educating people of all ages and backgrounds through free, confidential and non-judgmental services to help clients avoid a crisis or overcome challenging situations.
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Family & Children

Family playing on a beach as the sun is going down
Publications and factsheets on family law services, services for children and parenting after separation are available on the website. These are also provided in a number of other community languages.
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Community & Learning

The Millicent and Mount Gambier Community Centres are multi-function centres providing a range of ac.care services including educational and recreational activities.
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Aboriginal Services

A commitment to cultural diversity and respect is fundamental to ac.care's dedication to supporting all people living in rural South Australia, with a particular focus on Aboriginal communities and families.
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Youth Services

Young group of people just hanging out smiling
The ac.care Residential Care Program is designed to provide a caring and nurturing home environment for children and young people conductive to growth and development.
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Foster Care

Country people who volunteer to become foster careers offer children and young people, who cannot live with their birth family, a chance to thrive in a safe and nurturing home in their own community.
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Child and Youth Residential Care

Young children playing under a multi-colour blanket
ac.care’s Child and Youth Residential Care Program provides medium to long term accommodation and support to children and young people aged 10 – 18 yearrs.
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Homelessness

We work with other organisations and the community using a collaborative process of assessment, planning, facilitation and advocacy for options and services to meet an individual’s needs and provide non-judgemental and non-discriminatory advice.
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Proudly providing services to the South Australian country communities of the
Limestone Coast, Murraylands, Riverland, Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Peninsula

Who is ac.care?

ac.care is a non-government organisation (NGO) with charitable status, created by country people for country people. The organisation started in 1986 because there was no teenage foster care service in Mount Gambier, South Australia.

We have a focus on early intervention and prevention services and our mission is for all country people to have a safe home, enough money to live on and strong, positive relationships. Our core activities include the recruitment and support of foster carers, supports for people experiencing homelessness, Aboriginal services, family relationships, counselling, financial inclusion and community adult education.

At ac.care we work in our communities and with each other to these values:

All hands in
Compassion
Adaptability
Relationships
Excellence

our impact 2022 - 2023

335

Children found homes with local foster carers

147

families opened their homes and heart as foster carers with ac.care

51

Children and young people were cared for in our residential care homes

180

people were able to get over a crisis with access to emergency or short term accommodation

510

People avoided homelessness with early intervention support

51

Families were supported to have safe contact with their children through the children's contact service

127

People improved their family relationships through counselling and group programs

368

People managed a difficulty financial situation by seeking financial counselling

1263

Parents and children were supported by communities for children murraylands programs and activities

2108

People were supported in a crisis with financial help and food assistance through emergency relief services

698

People moved from homelessness to stable accommodation

239

People were employed by ac.care

News and Events

ac.care is a dynamic organisation servicing the South Australian communities the Limestone Coast, Murraylands, Riverland, Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Peninsula. Our mission is for all country people to have a safe home, enough money to live on and strong, positive relationships.

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We Care Cally Camp Out raises $185,000 to support South Australians

Jun 27, 2024
THE 2024 We Care Cally Camp Out event has raised a remarkable $185,000 for South Australian charities to support people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Major donations announced on the night included $100,000 to the ac.care Murraylands Homelessness Service, $65,000 to Adelaide-based women’s homelessness service Catherine House and $10,000 each to the Vinnies Fred’s … Continued
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Community forum to inspire people to open hearts and homes to children

Jun 6, 2024
PEOPLE passionate about the welfare of children are urged to attend a foster care forum this month in Strathalbyn to learn how they can make a difference in young local lives. Foster carers are needed to support vulnerable children unable to live with their birth parents in the Murraylands, Fleurieu Peninsula and Adelaide Hills. Regional … Continued
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Winter warmer appeal calls on community to help bring comfort

Jun 3, 2024
DONATIONS of blankets, jumpers and other warm clothing and supplies are in demand by country agency ac.care as it works to support vulnerable people through the winter months. A pattern of icy cold weather is impacting people experiencing hardship across the Limestone Coast, Riverland and Murraylands, many of whom are already facing significant challenges due … Continued
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Callington community to show it cares at Cally Camp Out

May 5, 2024
ADELAIDE Hills and Murraylands communities will come together for a meaningful night of family fun around a campfire this winter with a goal of raising $100,000 for people at risk of or experiencing homelessness. The inaugural We Care Cally Camp Out, presented by Australian Portable Camps, will feature live performances and guest speakers during a … Continued
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Pensioner digs deep for homelessness after personal housing struggle

May 1, 2024
A MOUNT Gambier pensioner has provided basic living essentials to support more than 10 vulnerable residents as a way of giving back following her own brief involvement with ac.care’s homelessness service. Louise Rawle, 77, made the sizeable donation of new clothing, sleeping mats and hygiene products to the Mount Gambier Community Centre after months of … Continued
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New initiative has Riverland community chatting

Apr 24, 2024
A GLOBAL initiative that connects communities and ‘gets people chatting’ has launched in the Riverland. Country agency ac.care has launched the Riverland’s first Chatty Café, a weekly event at Berri hoping to brighten the day of residents while reducing social isolation in country communities. The Riverland community is invited to join the distinct yellow ‘Have … Continued
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Community need drives agency to start shuttle bus

Apr 11, 2024
COUNTRY agency ac.care is driving to break barriers for local people by offering a free shuttle bus to key services and retailers in Mount Gambier. The agency has started weekly dedicated return trips for residents to access Foodbank Mount Gambier or the Mount Gambier Marketplace. The initiative was launched last month following feedback from visitors … Continued
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Murraylands foster carers driven by love to help children succeed

Mar 27, 2024
MURRAYLANDS couple Suzanne and Darren Moss have been guided by love and a passion to help children succeed as country foster carers for almost a quarter of a century. Blessed with a country lifestyle on 130 acres in the Murraylands, the rural setting has provided a perfect backdrop for children to grow and thrive. From … Continued
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Second block of four Studio Purpose apartments for youths at risk of homelessness in Murray Bridge completed and handed over to ac.care

Feb 21, 2024
LIVES of vulnerable youths in Murray Bridge will be turned around after the community has worked together to develop a second set of four units to provide housing for youths at risk of homelessness. Charity Habitat for Humanity South Australia has led the construction phase of the project led by ac.care, converting two disused duplexes … Continued
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More News

ac.care Locations

ac.care is a dynamic organisation servicing the South Australian communities the Limestone Coast, Murraylands, Riverland, Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Peninsula.

Our mission is for all country people to have a safe home, enough money to live on and strong, positive relationships.

Please find our service locations here or use our contact form to request a service.

Mount Gambier
Head office and Foster Care

70-72 White Avenue Mount Gambier, SA 5290
PO Box 1842 Mount Gambier SA 5290
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Mount Gambier
Community Centre

22-24 Ferrers Street Mount Gambier, SA 5290
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Mount Gambier
Family Relationship Centre

1 Helen Street (cnr Bay Road) Mount Gambier, SA 5290
Monday
9am to 5pm
Tuesday
10:30am to 5pm
Wednesday
9am to 5pm
Thursday
9am to 5pm
Later by appt
Friday
9am to 5pm

Berri Community Centre
Servicing the Riverland

5 Kealley Street Street Berri, SA 5343
PO Box 1345 Berri, SA 5343
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Murraylands Centre
Servicing the Murraylands, Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Peninsula

29 Bridge Street Murray Bridge, SA 5253
PO Box 2090 Murray Bridge, SA 5253
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Millicent
Community Centre

57-59 George Street Millicent, SA 5280
PO Box 378 Millicent, SA 5280
Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm
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