St. Anthony's Family Care
In the case of the fourth charity we feature it is probably most appropriate to say that many of their various projects run on 'a wing and a prayer'. Yet they continue to increase their number of clients and expand the range of programs. Their main focus is on disabled children - providing long day care, education programs, weekend respite care and various family support services. I am sure you will agree that is quite a comprehensive package run with little or no Government funding.
Below I have summarised some of their achievements:
Long Day Care Centre
This caters for 46 children aged 0-5 yrs. A development program is created for each child. Last year they commenced their involvement with the STaR Project at Macquarie University which aims to support the integration of children with special needs into mainstream education. Four families are already participating in this project.
Funding: Self funding
Special Preschool for Disabled Children
This provides the service of a conventional pre-school but the children have severe intellectual and physical disabilities. Each child is assessed and a development program is designed. In the last 18 months it has been evident that the needs of the children enrolled in the service are changing and the number of children accessing the centre has increased. A new and innovative Occupational Therapy program has been developed for Autism Spectrum disorder. All children are being assessed so that individual goals and programs will be set for each child. Advice is given to parents regarding home programs, equipment needs and addressing behavioural issues.
Funding: $135 per day per child is needed from donations to cover costs (after deducting the small amount of government funding and the $20 contribution by parents who can afford it).
Respite Services
The respite service now supports 55 families, twice the number assisted in 2004, and consequently the number of respite hours per family has decreased. Although some financial support is now available from the Commonwealth Carer Respite Centre, limited funding means that St Anthony's Family Care have to put new clients on a waiting list. During the week there is full respite care and support for children aged 5-12 yrs, all the children having a moderate to severe disability and display challenging behaviour. Weekend respite is also available for disabled children and adolescents. Occasionally 24 hour care is provided to give the families a break.
Funding: Generally self funding but $280 per day per child is needed for Weekend Respite costs. This is the scheme which changedrivers is helping to fund.
Case Management and Positive Parenting
St Anthony's Family Care work with Relationships Australia to look after the mental welfare of the parents of disabled children.
One-to-one programs are run for parents with disabled children which help them to learn new strategies for managing misbehaviour.
Funding: Self funding
Not all of the projects have been included and even more are in the planning. The CEO, Diane Campbell, says 'We try to look for gaps where nobody is meeting the need'. How do they manage it?
Sr. Carmel, who has just celebrated her Golden Jubilee as a nun, is the main person who runs the fundraising with the help of volunteers. Unfortunately the Art Union scheme, which was one of their main fundraisers, had to cease some years ago due to lack of administrative staff.
If you would like to help them out:
please send donations by cheque made payable to:
Sr. Carmel Whybrow, St Anthony's Family Care, 9 Alexandra Street, Croydon, NSW 2132
Marise Anderson, Charities Coordinator