Welcome to our final newsletter for 2018, we are at the end of what has been another busy and adventurous year for all of us here at The Family Centre. You can read some great stories and an overview of our activities over the past year in our Annual Report. Thank you to the 4365 children, young people and families who participated in our programs and committed to make the changes they want in their lives, relationships and communities.
The Family Centre is a community driven organisation and it’s the collaboration between our participants, staff, volunteers, supporters, funding partners and corporate sponsors that makes us different and makes a difference! 

Thanks to everyone for a fantastic year – looking forward to 2019!

From all of us at The Family Centre...

We wish you & your family a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
 
David Boutkan

Year 7 Student at Lindisfarne College, Bailey Keay has driven a fundraising initiative at his school. Bailey has jumped on board to fundraise for one of The Family Centre’s Youth Homelessness Matters projects by setting up donation boxes at his school. The donation boxes collect hygiene and educational items for young people at risk of homelessness or who are homeless. These are items that are often the last to be purchased when money is tight. Personal hygiene is more than just staying clean it improves a young person’s self-esteem and other people’s perception of them. Being able to stay clean improves young person’s opportunities at being able to secure a job, to keep attending school and maintain a healthy living environment.

Bailey’s fundraising was a great success with over 300 items donated by students at the school over a 2-week period.

Thank you Bailey, for bringing awareness to your school about Youth Homelessness and the importance of giving back to your community.

If you would like to find out more about the donation boxes and how to donate call (07) 5524 8711

This week with the support of our community partners and the community at large, The Family Centre was able to spread much Christmas joy…

Staff and volunteers where overwhelmed with the generosity of our community with over 200 children, young people and their families receiving gifts and food hampers. Some parents shed tears of relief that their children will receive some great gifts from Santa this year!

Thank you to Seagulls, Elevations Church, Cherry St Sports, Recycled Mats, Ganggalah Church and the Bingo Club at Hacienda Homestead Holiday.

Pictured: Teams from Ganggalah Church and Elevations Church

This week saw all The Family Centre Playgroup families come together for the Annual Playgroup Christmas Party.  90 Children and their families had lots of fun playing games, meeting Santa, and getting their faces painted. Seagulls supported the party by donating the room, morning tea and ‘Books as Gifts’ from Santa.

Many families in our community are under financial strain trying to pay basic housing costs and living expenses, leaving no extra money for children and young people’s activities.
With your support vulnerable children and young people will have access to opportunities that they wouldn’t have otherwise. To participate in sport, music and cultural activities, to get needed tutoring or therapy, and to fulfil their potential. Opportunities that all children and young people deserve.

Deizel suffers from severe dyslexia and is having problems with behaviour at school. It was suggested that Deizel attend equine therapy sessions, supported by The Family Centre's Creating Opportunities Fund.

Deizel is finding incredible accomplishment, and learning skills for self-leadership through developing confidence, self esteem, trust, respect, responsibility and building relationships.

“The equine therapy is showing his gentle caring nature.” 
– Jenny, Deizels Mum

Your donation will create opportunities for children and young people in your local community
Making your donation is easy with our secure online giving service.

All donations to The Family Centre of $2 or more are tax deductible.