2010 has been a huge year for Western Sydney based not-for-profit Parramatta Mission. With strong support from local businesses, governments, clubs, schools and individuals, Parramatta Mission is delighted with its achievements throughout the year.
The opening of Wesley Apartments on 9th March 2010 by Her Excellency Marie Bashir AC CVO, Governor of NSW was a monumental success, with the apartments providing much needed accommodation for families with sick children at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead. Families have been coming from all over Australia, including many from Western Australia, country New South Wales and Queensland.
This year saw Parramatta Mission achieve community housing registration, meaning it could provide community housing to people in need. Over 250 individuals and families, many at risk of homelessness, were housed by Parramatta Mission this year.
The GPT Group and Parramatta Mission partnered on The GPT Food Recovery Program - launched on 4th September. The Food Recovery program collects left over fresh food from retailers and turns it into meals. So far, the food collected from the GPT-owned Rouse Hill Town Centre alone has been turned into around 10,000 meals. This is in addition to the food being collected from six Woolworths’ stores and the 100,000 meals a year already being served by the Mission.
UnitingCare Mental Health, a division of Parramatta Mission, commenced a new Personal Helpers and Mentors program in the Hawkesbury region, which aims to increase the opportunities for recovery for people whose lives are severely affected by mental illness.
UnitingCare Mental Health also managed five HASI programs (Mental Health and Housing and Accommodation Support Initiative), with over 120 people benefitting from more than 48,500 hours of care.
Also run by Parramatta Mission, headspace Mt Druitt provided a youth-friendly health service to 588 young people in Western Sydney, and 107 Lifeline Western Sydney Volunteer Telephone Counsellors answered 17,400 calls from distressed people.
334 young people were cared for through the Supervised Afterhours Crisis Accommodation service at Parrahouse and the Residential Induction Unit at Liverpool provided accommodation and support to 170 young people.
Thelma Brown Cottage domestic violence refuge supported 55 women and 67 children throughout the year and Hope Hostel men’s crisis service responded to over 1,100 requests for emergency accommodation and supported over 350 men for more than one week.
In June Parramatta Mission celebrated the 125th anniversary of Leigh Memorial Church on Macquarie Street, Parramatta. Did you know that Parramatta Mission actually dates back to 1821 – during the time of Governor Lachlan Macquarie?
To top the year off, construction of the new $7.5m homeless service, Hope Hostel, was completed, with the official handover of keys taking place on 1st December. The move to the new building will take place on Monday, 13th December, just in time for Christmas!
From the board, management, staff and clients of Parramatta Mission, we wish you all our Christmas blessings for a safe and joyous festive season.