I should have mentioned in my email that the Installation of Hope launch is at Scotch College on Tuesday 14th June between 5.00 and 6.00pm.
Category Archives: Advocacy
Josh F
Josh Frydenberg has been talking with me of late about our idea of creating a women’s only house. Much earlier in the year he inquired of the St John’s, Camberwell folk in regards to the potential use of their Old Vicarage for community housing purposes – like us he received a big, fat ‘not interested’ as the answer!
Josh called me late last week to ask if Servants would be happy for him to try to get some money to Servants for purposes of setting up some women’s only housing – a pre-election promise kind of arrangement. We talked it through a bit, I wrote his office a simple letter requesting some financial help to assist us in getting this project off the ground …………. and much to my surprise he phoned me today saying he had been approved to get $300,000 to Servants for this purpose ……… and he would like to have a media opportunity at Romana next Tuesday to announce this news alongside Julie Bishop – apparently she holds a fairly significant position, but I don’t know a lot about these things.
I confess to feeling more than a little out of my depth on this issue of politicians and $$$$. Warren and I have been talking through the scenario of receiving said money from Josh and we believe it to be an appropriate course of action.
I appreciate that there will be many questions that will require answering at committee level.
In the meantime Josh has asked that Servants keeps this info to ourselves for the time-being, and I think we should honor this request.
Visions
Some of you will know Visions Gym in Burwood Rd, Hawthorn (shameless plug here – it is such a well-priced gym and is almost completely devoid of the kind of morons one typically finds in most gyms) Visions has been very good to Servants over a number of years – providing us with free or as good as free exercise bikes and treadmills for the houses. They also sponsored our team shirt at last year’s Run Melbourne event. Over the past 12 months a handful of our resos have been given free memberships by Visions – one reso has particularly established a regime as a gym bunny. In the week just past 2 Carrical resos entered the hallowed, sweaty halls of the gym for the first time for their induction session. Both were thrilled to have been provided with such an opportunity (one had not done any gym work since he last holidayed at the pleasure of Her Majesty a few years back!!) As they both puffed on their after-gym-session cigarettes (well earned I’m sure!!) it was a delight to hear them talk about just having the opportunity to do something as simple as visit a gym because Servants can make it happen. I am sure many more resos will enter Visions in the coming months to work out. I see this as a small yet very significant example of the tangible add-ons we can bring into the lives our 89.
Trinity x 2
Although we are well into the school year I have been informed in the past week that 2 of Trinity Grammar’s 8 Houses have chosen us as their charities of choice for 2015. Great to continue to develop the relationship with Trinity – and being the charity of choice is handy from a financial viewpoint too!
RC Hawthorn
Rotary Club of Hawthorn informed me yesterday that they will be supplying Hamer with a new $3000 freezer for the staff kitchen, a new fridge for the Resos Kitchen at Carrical and will be sponsoring 2 of our resos for Run Melbourne $250 each.
Whilst on the subject of Rotary we have been informed by RC Glenferrie that they are donating $2000 to us and RC Canterbury are donating $1000 to Team Servants ’15. The generosity that has come our way as a result of establishing relationships with local Clubs has really been terrific. I would not know quite where to begin in terms of putting a $ figure on it all – but it would be quite substantial by now. Of course, our relationship with Rotary cannot be measured in crude $ terms alone. I am very grateful to them for all their support and encouragement and for the friendships that have arisen thru these networks. I am also quite sure that Rotary loves Servants too!!
C-Change
At Carey this year their Year 9’s are engaging in a year long project entitled C-change – it’s all about social issues. 4 of their students recently shot a short video about Servants involving me and 3 of our resos – Paul, Richard and Barry. This was shown at a Year 9 Carey assembly last Friday arvo and was attended by 2 of the 3 resos and me. The video is not of the quality that I would show anywhere – but I still think the work the boys did was terrific, they were certainly challenged by what they saw and heard
As soon as I can work out how to post the video clip in Heartbeat I will do so – for your viewing pleasure and edification!
In a nutshell ……………….
The Budget for 2015/16 has been struck and is now awaiting committee approval at the June meeting. Many, many thanks to Isaac for his work over many weeks in setting the template for the budget so beautifully – and equally as may thanks to Amanda and Kara this week who have spent more hours than I care to consider fine tuning and refining it. I trust that all committee members will be pleased with the final document.
Whilst on the subject of thanks ……………… Mark and Amanda, with me on the periphery, have worked thru some very difficult resident issues this week. It is fair to say that all the houses are running beautifully BUT the issues they have dealt with this such care and wisdom have doubtless been exhausting. I think one of our great organizational strengths is the absolute quality we have in Amanda and the Housekeepers and the care with which they go about their tasks of interacting with the resos.
Whilst taxing reso issues and budget tinkering have taken up most of the week I managed to talk at both Strathcona and Carey. The talk to Strathcona was especially good.
A new female reso moved into Hamer today. Good news! The Empty Room Nigh total for fin year to date is 98 – wobbling on the very precipice of 100!! I will be doing all within my significant powers to ensure the 100 Night barrier is NOT broached. Watch this space. We budgeted for 720 Empty Nights for the fin year – so I guess we’re doing ok.
Team Servants ’15 progress remains pleasing. There are currently 24 established Supporter Pages and an increasing number of enquiries about our team. Our total income to date for the Team is just inxs of $3500. Yes, still very long way to go – but good progress. Our Leaderboard, in terms of donations received, is our very own President Warren. The Pres currently has a very healthy $1100 gap between himself and The Husband of Vice-President Connie. Not that this is a competition of course, no, of course not. Next week the resos will have their Supporter Pages established. Let’s face it, who wants to be financially beaten by a homeless guy!!??
We found out today that Bunnings are giving us a shed for Hamer worth $900.
Reflections: The Mansion on the Hill
The Scotch College/Servants theatre production will be showing at Scotch on 4th October at 4.00pm and 5th, 6th, 7th October at 7.00pm.
Entry is by gold coin donation.
The venue is The Cramond Studio at Scotch – the same venue where Voices: The Carrical Project first showed – and was instrumental in Servants being who we are today.
The background to this piece is that Scotch approached me asking for a theme/idea for their theatre piece – I was happy to oblige! Just for the record, this is eating up very little of my time!!
This theatre piece is not even close to the scale of our previous productions.
Bar Ristretto clip
This was put together for some online advertising for Ristretto.
We get a mention and one of us can be seen inside and out!
Sacred Heart
Some of you may have seen the recently published articles about the Journey To Social Inclusion program being operated by Sacred Heart Mission. I have included just one of the articles below for your perusal and edification.
Their model is based around intensive and individually tailored support and rapid access to permanent housing; therapeutic services to address the trauma that is both a cause and a consequence of long term homelessness and a skills building program that equips participants with life skills, assisting them to reconnect with the mainstream community and build social networks outside of the homeless subculture.
They conservatively estimate that for each person who is successfully housed by them for a period of 12 months equates to a cost saving to the community in the vicinity of $30,000 – $35,000.
And why should Servants be interested in this? Because what they do is not a million miles away from what we do and because the cost savings that we bring to the wider community are doubtless just as significant. I suggest that when find we have a few spare minutes to draw breath that we should very seriously consider beginning to understand the community benefit, in terms of dollars, that our services provide. This would provide us with further compelling evidence moving forward to argue strongly for our unique model of housing.
30 APRIL 2015
MEDIA RELEASE Home-grown solution key to solving long-term homelessness
• Study shows 75% of participants remain in stable housing after four years
• 80% decline in the need for health services
• Study delivered savings to Government up to $32,080 per participant
The report, released today, shows sustained positive outcomes were still being seen one year after services, with 75% still in stable housing, in comparison with only 58% of a control group receiving existing homelessness services. Another significant outcome of the study was the 80% decline in the need for health services amongst J2SI participants, versus a 21% increase in the need for these services amongst the control group. The 48 month report, independently evaluated by RMIT and Melbourne University, is the first of its kind to undertake an longitudinal, randomised control trial over four years, that measured a pilot group of 40 J2SI participants receiving intensive services from case workers against a control group of 43 participants receiving existing services.
Further analysis by Sacred Heart Mission has shown that when we set aside the control group and compare the cost to Government of servicing J2SI participants at the start of the study, with that same cost at the 48-month mark, the benefit for government is assessed as $70,365 per participant ($17,591 per year).
“Long-term and chronic homelessness presents quite a different challenge to short-term homelessness,” said CEO of Sacred Heart Mission in St Kilda, Cathy Humphrey. “The effects on the individual, society and economy are costly and complex, with the cycle being harder to break the longer the person has been in that situation. J2SI found that developing a sustained trusting relationship between a case worker and a participant, addressing the trauma that causes a person to fall into the cycle of homelessness is critical, alongside rapid access to safe affordable housing. “However, as every person is different, there is no one size fits all model to solving homelessness, so the solution must be individualised. These people are entrenched in a systemic cycle of disadvantage and require significant support to unpack the effects of a life time of disadvantage, and to rebuild a future. “Our study shows that with the right investment, significant breakthroughs can be delivered and measured in order to address the bigger picture issue of homelessness across Australia. The program’s holistic approach has resulted in a significant reduction in the use of costly, emergency health services, placing less strain on public services and government.”
MP Martin Foley, Minister for Housing Disability and Ageing, who is officially launching the report on April 30 at the Royal College of Australian Surgeons, said, “The Andrews Labor Government strongly believes in working with community organisations like Sacred Heart to develop strategies that break the cycle of homelessness and improve support to homeless people.” “As both the member for Albert Park and Minister for Housing, Disability and Ageing, I am proud of the outstanding work done locally by Sacred Heart Mission with the many homeless people in my local area. I am also proud to have such world-leading research on such an important social issue produced in my local community.
“The work being done by Sacred Heart Mission through the Journey to Social Inclusion program is providing invaluable information as we look at tackling the problem of long-term homelessness and entrenched generational disadvantage.”
Having established the evidence base for a promising new service model, Sacred Heart Mission is now seeking assistance to raise $4 million in funding to roll out J2SI Mark II, a refined pilot intended to improve outcomes, and demonstrate the capacity to deliver the program at scale. The longer term goal is to roll out the program nationally with community sector partners and State and Federal governments.
In order to achieve this objective, a sustainable and diversified funding base will be required, incorporating Government, corporate and philanthropic partners working in partnership with the Mission.
An online version of the report is available at www.sacredheartmission.org
• At the conclusion of a three-year Pilot, 85% of J2SI participants were in independent housing, with 75% remaining in housing a year after support services ceased
• Participants’ use of emergency health services declined by over 80% (an outcome that has been sustained since the Pilot’s cessation)
• J2SI participants’ average use of emergency hospital services declined by 80%, from 1.5 instances in the preceding six months at the start of the study, to 0.3 instances at the 48 month mark o In comparison, the control group experienced a 21% increase in the need for emergency hospital services at the 48 month mark
• J2SI participants’ average use of emergency psychiatric assistance declined from 1.5 instances in the preceding six months at baseline, to 0.1 at the 48 month mark o In comparison, there was no material change amongst the control group
• A continued decline in the number of days J2SI participants were incarcerated
• An increased use of employment services and willingness to work during the program’s duration
• A consistent improvement in perceived social support and acceptance; the two key indicators used to measure social inclusion
For interviews please contact:
Jessica.mangan@redagency.com.au 03 9426 5341/ 0416 544 855 Mia.cochrane@redagency.com.au 03 9426 5348/ 0401 962 623
CHP
The Council to Homeless Persons have just released a book entitled ‘Homelessness in Australia.’
I suggest that this would be a terrific book for all committee members to at least spend a few minutes exploring. I will bring it to the June committee meeting – however, if you are desperate to devour all 300 pages beforehand please let me know and I will get my copy to you.
The back cover reads:
The first book to explore the current complexities of homelessness in Australia and future policies to address it.
What is homelessness? Who counts as homeless? Whose responsibility is homelessness? In Homelessness in Australia, leading experts offer timely insights into the history, causes and extent of homelessness in this country – and the future policy directions most likely to have a positive impact. Chapters cover issues such as gender, Indigenous homelessness, family violence, young people, older people, the effects of trauma and reforming the service system.
AA & Anthology
At the gym on Saturday I bumped into Anthony Antoniadis – one of the 2 Scotch College boys who worked so hard on Anthology waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back in 2010/11. It was the first time I had seen him since the memorable Anthology launch in the middle of 2011. He was just as lovely as when I last saw him!! His family have stayed supporters of Servants in the intervening years and Anthony is keen to become involved once more. He had seen the Narrative book and loved it and was pretty excited to hear that his and Jeremy’s book (the other author) has now had 2 print runs of 5000 copies each.
Talking of Anthology – we are now down to under 1500 copies of the second print run. I am planning on running this total down close to zero via the show bags we will be distributing at Run Melbourne in July. At some point we will need to make a decision as to whether we desire to print more copies. For what it’s worth, my opinion is that it makes absolute sense to do so. Somewhat surprisingly to me there are people who prefer Anthology to Narrative – and not just Anthony’s folks!!
The Mansion on The Hill
Two pieces of news out of Scotch College:
1. I have been approached by Scotch to consult with them re a small piece of theatre several of their students will be writing and performing in this year’s Fringe Festival – title of the piece is The Mansion on The Hill. I have now provided them with the title and the concept of the piece and the boys have now commenced the research/writing etc. It will be based around the 150 years of the Carrical mansion and will focus on a mirror that hangs on a wall of the mansion throughout this span of time reflecting the lives of all who have called the mansion home to show that regardless of circumstances and who we are that we are all really, fundamentally the same. This will not be a production anywhere near the scale of some of previous ventures – but I trust it will still be something Scotch/Servants will be very proud of – and I trust that a few people will attend the performance too!! The bottom line is that this will occupy very little of my time.
2. Scotch are seriously getting behind Team Servants ’15. It is very encouraging to see their enthusiasm.
Monday morning x 2
1. Warren, Amanda and I met with Christine from the Housing Registrar to have our Annual Review Meeting. It was a short meting, very short – which meant that everything went very well. It was highly pleasing. We were also told of several personnel changes that our in the process of occurring within the Office of the Registrar.
2. Prior to our meeting I spoke to 20 up and coming executive types at VWA as a part of their leadership program. I spoke for 50 minutes followed by 15 minutes of questions. My brief was to provide ‘a compelling personal story’ – which was probably playing to me strength. All seemed to go well and I rated myself 8 of 10. I was particularly happy with a sensory experience I took the participants thru.
Narrative
The Narrative news is exciting. Mike and I are intending to send all files to the printer this coming Friday arvo for proofs to be delivered next Monday. This will mean by the end of next week the printer will have the signed of files and will print early October. This week is a BIG one as we bring all the stories, photos, editing, layout, legal forms together and stitch the project together. I knew Narrative was going to be significantly better than Anthology. I am not wrong. It is starting to look really wonderful.
Team Servants ’14 update
The Run Melbourne event has been run and won. To date, and there is still money coming in, Team Servants ’14 has raised $15,500 in online donations and $2500 in other donations. This is a particularly pleasing result in light of the fact that our top 6 individual fundraisers from last year raised a tiny amount between them – indeed, 4 of them did not participate this year. We had 101 registered runners (65 last year) and our presence in the team tent alongside the team t-shirts worn by most team members made quite an impression. Such an impression in fact that the event organizers invited me to meet with them yesterday to let me know of the significant changes for the event from 2015 and to let me know that only 35 charities will be eligible to raise funds – rather than the current 700 charities – and we have been invited to be one of the 35. I believe this is really quite significant. It was also fascinating to see just who participated and supported our Team – people from all the different networks and relationships we have developed over the past few years – Rotary, corporates, LV, Housing Registrar, Council, schools both public and private ………. not to mention committee, management and residents!
I had some fascinating conversations on the day with people who were intrigued by our presence there.
All in all I believe Team Servants ’14 can only be considered a success – I think Team Servants ’15, should we decide to do this, will be our biggest and best year to date.
Thank you to all who participated, donated, walk, ran, organized etc ………..
Team Servants ’14
This coming Sunday sees TS ’14 hit the streets – we will look resplendent in the almost-posh TS ’14 t-shirts Tim had printed for us! The team has grown in number and donations are coming in quite nicely. I think it’s fair to say that the exposure Servants has received from various advertising/talking opps for TS ’14 has been more than significant.
Cocktail Party
Last night Hawthorn Community Chest held their annual Cocktail Party – with Servants being the charity they chose to support on the night. It was an eye opening occasion in many ways. Mike & Alison Cutter, Amanda and Grace Donohoe and Esther Ling and Zoe Bradley joined me in representing Servants on the night. I spoke about Servants for a few minutes – and then much discussion ensued!
Ted Baillieu introduced me to the audience before I spoke and he said some wonderful things about Servants.
There have been some quite immediate outcomes of this very posh occasion – one of which has me being offered a guest speaker spot at this Sunday’s ‘Festival of Ideas’ @ Swinburne. My talk on Sunday is entitled ‘It’s All About The Key.’
I am sure that many good things will come out of Thursday night’s gathering.
Rarely, if ever, has a group of people representing Servants looked so glammed up!
Cocktail Party
Hawthorn Community Chest are hosting their annual Cocktail Party this coming Thursday, 1st May, at Hawthorn Common in Burwood Rd, Hawthorn.
All funds raised from the night will be headed towards our Narrative book project.
I will be speaking on the evening. All are welcome to attend.
Tickets are $40 each and can be purchased here: http://www.trybooking.com/Event/EventSearch.aspx?keyword=president’s%20cocktail%20party&d=1&m=5&y=2014
Melbourne High day
Today 5 pretty switched on students from the Melbourne High Philanthropy Club spent several hours at Romana involved in a few volunteering tasks. It was a good day, some manual work was achieved, but, more importantly, we now have several young men who have had their eyes opened to the world of Servants and what we do and why we do it. During the final part of the day I took the guys to Carrical to meet a few residents – this proved to be a positive, thought-provoking exercise for the students. I have little doubt that some good things will happen for Servants as a result of today’s investment.