To provide a community care model for intellectually, financially and socially disadvantaged people who may suffer from harassment and victimisation: A centre that can be run at minimal cost, relying wholly on private funding and voluntary staffing, and the free provision of professional and institutional services as required, by co-operative individuals and organisations (both public and private).
Vision Statement
To provide this model so that it is able to be replicated in other locations by Our Place and/or by other caring members of the community with a concern for social justice and equity for our most disadvantaged citizens.
Our aim is to operate within stringent financial parameters, so that donations can be used directly to benefit members, and in future if funds permit, to open Our Place in additional appropriate locations. We are never going to become a fat, rich, amorphous charity. It’s not about money – it’s about will and compassion.” (Sue)
Facilities
- Our Place is located in a community hall in the Marrickville local government area, a municipality with a very high concentration of licensed and unlicensed boarding houses, whose residents generally live in extreme poverty. We also have many homeless people referred to us, who are either living in the area or passing through.
- We provide breakfast, lunch, tea, coffee, cold drinks and biscuits. The meals are simple and nutritious. As often as possible, we also have fresh fruit available between meals.
- We have a large commercial kitchen, male and female bathrooms, disabled access and toilet, a bright and spacious hall furnished with tables and chairs, bean bags, television and radio, as well as a piano, which is sometimes used for impromptu (and very entertaining) performances by our community members. Daily newspapers, magazines, books and games are available.
- We provide a free legal service on Mondays, staffed by Clayton Utz lawyers.
- We provide free counselling services, managed and staffed by our own qualified volunteers and by the Jansen Newman Institute.
- There is a pleasant outdoor area, framed by large trees, where many visitors sit and have a cigarette or talk to each other.
- We run a free art and craft session on Tuesday afternoons. All materials provided.
- Most importantly, we provide a sympathetic ear and a friendly community where all our guests can really feel they belong.