Although reducing poverty is the ideal aim, the most important resources are often those that solve the immediate issues of disadvantage. A family is not interested in increasing social networks or ensuring their children complete year 12 if they have nowhere to live and little to eat. Thus, the importance of resources will differ according to each family’s current situation.
The Salvation Army
http://www.salvationarmy.org.au The Salvation Army is a not-for-profit organisation providing people in need with services and resources. Their services are diverse and relevant to a large number of issues, including emergency relief, family support, advocacy, low cost food, refuge, gambling, migrants, domestic violence, youth, unemployment, financial crisis, life skills, substance abuse, counselling, employment training, homelessness, aged care, and disability support. Referrals are also provided. Such a broad range of services ensures that the immediate, as well as long-term issues are addressed (see Australian Council of Social Service, 2011; Harper et al., 2003; The Salvation Army, 2010). This widely respected organisation works in 124 countries and has supported Australians for more than 130 years. They run over 1,000 programs nationally, helping one million people every week. Although the Salvation Army is a religious based organisation they provide support without discrimination to those in need. Services are easy to access with hundreds of locations nationally. Contact details are listed on The Salvation Army website and phone numbers are for cost of a local call. Referral contact details are also provided on the website. Community Centres
Community centres offer the benefits of local assistance and social activities. Servicing surrounding suburbs, community centres understand the specific needs of the local community and can tailor programs and support. They offer childcare and children’s services, family support, housing services, financial and personal counselling, parenting skills, emergency relief, social activity groups, home visits, workshops, and advocacy. Referrals are also available. Community centres may have limited hours and limited services depending on the location, and some services will only be available at very specific times. Access to information about each centre on the internet will depend on its capacity, with smaller centres only providing contact details. The benefit of local community centres is their ability to provide social interactions and assistance for those who have little or no access to social networks. Studies have shown that a lack of such networks can cause homelessness (Kryder-Coe, Salamon & Molnar; McCaughey; as cited in Cheal, 2002) and increase poverty because of a lack of free childcare (Maclean & Eckelar, Duncan & Edwards, as cited in Cheal, 2002). |
The Smith Family
http://www.thesmithfamily.com.au The Smith Family believes that education is the key to ending poverty. This non-profit organisation provides children and young people with long-term scholarships and programs to keep them engaged in education. Students can access scholarships from prep until they complete tertiary studies and the money can be used for educational expenses, including textbooks, stationery, uniforms, excursions, camps, and equipment. The Smith Family’s programs address emotional, financial, health, reading, and digital literacies. For example, mentoring, homework clubs, reading support, and Indigenous leadership. A small number of programs are also available for the parents of scholarship students. Not everyone in need is eligible for the scholarship. Students must attend a partner school in an area where the charity works, so a family may be considered disadvantaged, but unable to receive the scholarship. The organisation started 90 years ago in Sydney and is a well-established charity. It selects its focus locations and designs its programs based on research and provides scholarships to over 30,000 students nationally. The Smith Family is easily accessible via the internet, state offices, and workers at schools and community centres. Phone numbers and addresses are available on the website and in phone books, and the organisation accepts referrals from community organisations and schools. Addressing disadvantage in children and young people through education is considered one of the main avenues out of poverty (see Australian Council of Social Service, 2011; Harper et al., 2003; The Salvation Army, 2010), thus The Smith Family’s approach is a valuable one. |