annual general report annual general report - Casey North CISS

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The one on one sessions can consist of budgeting and money management. The aim is to work with clients to increase their knowledge base and confidence around personal finances and financial products, know their rights and responsibilities and where to go to for assistance and advice. This knowledge can empower clients to make informed decisions that will ultimately benefit them and their families while working very closely with the financial counselling and social work programs. The program is a valuable resource for clients. We held seven financial literacy sessions for a total of 76 participants. The sessions were done in conjunction with Migrant Resource Centre, New Hope Foundation and Windermere Child & Family Services. In addition we provided all clients with a financial literacy ‘kit’, which includes, booklets, pamphlets and other information to improve their chances of being in better control of their finances. The aim is to empower participants to make better choices in how they spend their money and to only enter into financial contracts that they understand and can afford. They are also given information on what to do if things go wrong and they can no longer balance their budgets. This is most important because we regularly meet with clients who have little understanding of their basic rights and responsibilities. Three brochures were developed; one each for the Financial Literacy and Financial Counselling programs and a Christmas brochure aimed at avoiding spending traps over Christmas and preventing financial stress into the New Year. Maree Cummings, Louis Hebrard & Lisa Hansen Financial Counselling and Support 21
Keeping It Together Programme In April 2008 the Keeping It Together program was established as a preventative strategy in response to the high incidence of family breakdown and violence in the City of Casey. The educational/supportive program provided women with the opportunity to improve their basic skills of communication, assertiveness, conflict resolution and anger management, whilst simultaneously enhancing their awareness of self-esteem issues and the importance of self-care. It was hoped to equip these women with the skills necessary to deal with the personal, relationship and financial pressures facing many families in the City of Casey. By February 2010 a total of sixteen six-week programs and four one day seminars had been held in venues throughout the City of Casey, including Narre Warren, Berwick, Hallam, Hampton Park, Endeavour Hills and Cranbourne. Approximately 110 women, ranging in age from 20 years to 77 years, attended these groups. Over half of all participants had dependent children. Whilst all participants described a desire to improve their interpersonal skills as the prime motivation for joining the program, each woman presented with a unique combination of personal issues. Some were seeking to mend a deteriorating relationship, others to cope with life after leaving a destructive relationship. Some sought the skills to communicate with teenage children, or children in their primary years of school or younger, whilst others wished to ensure they entered future relationships on equal terms. Some participants just wanted to know how to achieve a healthy self-esteem after years of putting the needs of others before their own. The group is run by a facilitator who is also a professional counsellor. This has been a valuable addition to the role of the facilitator as given the number of participants disclosing issues beyond their presenting reasons for inclusion in the group. Family conflict can result in anxiety, depression, substance addiction, and other complex mental health issues. Participants in addition disclose trauma / abuse related to family of origin, partner abuse, etc. that can result in unpredictable responses in both themselves and other participants. These situations foster growth within the group as well as a trusting relationship with the facilitator. The facilitator is able to manage these situations while in the group and provide referrals for more one on one work individually with other workers and services. The Keeping It Together Program works together with Casey North CISS providing referrals for emergency relief, financial counselling, social work, no-interest loans scheme and other services as appropriate. The Keeping It Together program is now firmly positioned as a valuable tool for improving the wellbeing of women in the City of Casey. Local agencies, counsellors, 22
Page 1 and 2: ANNUAL GENERAL REPORT 2010-2011 CAS
Page 3 and 4: President’s Report Whilst this la
Page 5 and 6: Board of Management President Vice
Page 7 and 8: Staff Executive Officer Social Work
Page 9 and 10: Executive Officer’s Report At Cas
Page 11 and 12: Cranbourne Information & Support Se
Page 13 and 14: Programs Our services and programs
Page 15 and 16: Information & Support Services Prov
Page 17 and 18: clients were unaware initially that
Page 19 and 20: Counselling There were 175 counsell
Page 21: Clients with mental illness and tho
Page 25 and 26: No Interest Loan Scheme Ten years a
Page 27 and 28: Volunteering Casey North Community
Page 29: Treasurer’s Report The accounts o
Page 34 and 35: Casey North Community Information &

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