VOLUNTEERS are vital in delivering ac.care’s mission of ensuring all country people have a safe home, enough money to live on and strong, positive relationships.
Formed in Mount Gambier over 30 years ago, the “country specialist” agency combines the efforts of staff, community partnerships and dedicated volunteers to make a difference in people’s lives.
“ac.care is a community-based agency working with the people around them as part of the community, which shines through in the way volunteers commit to their mission and support ac.care in contributing to improving the lives of country people,” ac.care chief executive Shane Maddocks said.
“Thank you to our volunteers, who all make a wonderful contribution to expanding our capacity to make a difference.”
The agency’s volunteers include 150 remarkable families who share their homes with over 220 children across regional eastern South Australia as foster carers, supported by ac.care staff.
However, Volunteers also contribute to ac.care in many other ways beyond foster care, with the homelessness programs delivered out of the Mount Gambier Community Centre at 20-24 Ferrers Street backed by a dedicated support team.
Many of these volunteers gather weekly at the centre to help pack and distribute emergency food relief hampers to assist people doing it tough in Mount Gambier.
Meanwhile, other volunteers share their skills and knowledge through Adult Community Education (ACE) courses, providing opportunities for social engagement and empowering community members to secure tenancy or invaluable employability skills.
Volunteers also help with reception duties through to general maintenance at the Millicent Community Centre, which delivers a diverse range of services to the community, not only providing ac.care’s emergency and family support programs, but also acting as a Service SA agent for the town.
A further team of eight volunteers at Kingston South East are also active distributing emergency relief packages, as well as coordinating a second-hand shop to raise funds to support ac.care’s valued programs.
“Our volunteers are an instrumental part of the agency and we simply couldn’t provide the range of services, programs and support we do without them,” ac.care adult learning and community services program manager Sue Watt said.
Meanwhile, volunteers are also active as part of the agency’s services in the Riverland and Murraylands regions.
Email care@accare.org.au if you would like to contribute to ac.care.
