Mental health worker employed for second year
A homelessness service will employ a mental health worker for a second year following a donation from a community bank branch.
The Bendigo Community Banks at Ettalong has pledged $45,000 to Coast Shelter and the Group Community Banks at East Gosford $15,000 for the second year in a row.
Seed funding was provided last year for a mental health worker to assist the homeless and those suffering from domestic violence on the Peninsula and elsewhere across the Coast.
al areas.
"The program was such a success that Coast Shelter now engages five workers who each specialise in their professional fields," said Ettalong Community Bank director Mr Kerry Watkins.
"The Coast Shelter Clinical Services team now comprises a mental health worker, an alcohol and drug counsellor, a social worker, a parenting specialist and a youth worker."
Coast Shelter chief executive Mr Michael Starr said: "We couldn't have done it without the seed funding from Bendigo Bank.
"With their help we were able to commence the program and, with it being in such high demand, we expanded from one worker to now a team of five."
Mr Starr said he was hopeful that future years' operating costs would be provided by receiving government grants.
He said anyone wanting assistance should contact Coast Shelter by phone on 4325 3540, at 346 Mann St, Gosford, or via the website www.coastshelter.org.au.
A form completed on the website would be referred to a professional worker within 30 minutes, he said.
Mr Watkins said: "Once the need for such a service was identified, the branch's board had no hesitation in providing the funding.
"This is the way Bendigo gives back to the community with 80 per cent of our profits being returned to the community for the benefit of the community."
SOURCE:
Media release, 28 Oct 2022
Kerry Watkins, Ettalong Community Bank