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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Meet Niki: Learn more about foster care at Mount Barker

Nov 14, 2024
🧡💙 Meet with Niki 💙🧡 Niki is a former foster carer now supporting carers across the Murraylands, Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Peninsula ✨ Hear her story and have your questions answered about foster care on Thursday, November 21 at The Coffee Tin – Mount Barker Central Shopping Centre. Stop by between 10am-12pm for a chat! … Continued
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New chapter for ac.care services in heart of Mount Gambier

Nov 12, 2024
COUNTRY agency ac.care is preparing for the next exciting chapter in its history with a long-term move to Mount Gambier’s central business district that provides space for growth, evolution and greater impact to our community. The youth and child out of home care team and corporate services staff working from ac.care’s White Avenue head office … Continued
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Niki’s foster care experience empowers others

Nov 6, 2024
ENSURING children experience safety, love and stability to thrive has been a lifelong commitment for Murraylands mother Niki Borchardt. In addition to raising her own children, she has provided a foster home with her husband for young people in need of care before joining the ac.care staff team as a key support worker for other … Continued
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Berri Community Centre a place for the whole community

Oct 30, 2024
THE Berri Community Centre has become a hub for activities to connect people and break down social isolation. Long-term Department of Human Services funding to support activities at ac.care’s Riverland service hub has prompted the name change and program expansion. While the Kealley Street premises has long been the home of ac.care’s diverse services, the … Continued
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Learn more about foster care at the Penola Show

Oct 29, 2024
Would you like to learn more about foster care and the difference you can make in the life of a child? Our friendly foster care team is at Penola Show on Saturday, November 2 to answer your questions and provide the information you need to consider becoming a foster carer. See you at the show!Visit our foster … Continued
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Learn about foster care: Murraylands and Adelaide Hills information sessions

Oct 18, 2024
Local kids need local carers in the Murraylands and Adelaide Hills to support them to shine. Drop by and chat with Kandice in October at Murray Bridge Library and Mount Barker Library to have your foster care questions answered. Whether you can provide long-term, short-term, respite or emergency care, we need everyday people like you … Continued
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Agency support SE Nations Netball squad ahead of state carnival

Oct 9, 2024
ac.care is proud to support the SE Nations Netball squad, which will compete in the Netball SA Nunga Netball Carnival at Netball SA Stadium in Adelaide this weekend alongside teams from across the state. The squad brings together representatives of the Boandik, Ngarrindjeri, Kaurna, Narungga and Gunditjmara nations across the players and committee. Participants are … Continued
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Why I volunteer with ac.care | Providing opportunities for country people

Oct 7, 2024
COUNTRY people are being encouraged to join a fun and valued network of volunteers increasing the impact of local charity ac.care and directly supporting vulnerable people. Volunteers are being sought to support ac.care’s service delivery at its community centres in Berri, Mount Gambier and Millicent, which provide valuable day-to-day opportunities for vulnerable people. Duties include … Continued
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Chatty Bench a place to connect at Murray Bridge

Oct 1, 2024
CONNECTING the community is at the heart of the bright yellow Chatty Bench that now proudly sits in Murray Bridge’s central retail district. Launched in September, the Chatty Bench is a community wellbeing project encouraging family, friends and strangers alike to sit down and connect through conversation. Located at the corner of Sixth Street and … 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, 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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