SMG Community Support

Providing Support and Hope In Practical Ways

Increasingly over time CPS Workers who SMG represent have been responding to the needs of school communities by broadening their pastoral support to include more practical and social justice oriented services, which in 2006, has seen the formal introduction of SMG Community Support Services.

SMG is committed to providing relief of poverty, suffering and distress amongst young people and their families across South Australia and consequently through SMG Community Support Services we are responding to the real needs of the community through the relationships forged with students, their families and school communities South Australia.

Through a professional yet relational approach, SMG Community Support Services aims to serve the needs of the community through the provision of a range of services and programs supporting students and their families in the creation of stable and healthy environments. The services provided include breakfast programs, food parcel assistance, home maintenance help, emergency relief, counselling support and referral services, educational seminars and workshops, and leadership awards.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

Through a professional yet relational approach, SMG Community Support Services aims to serve the needs of the community through the provision of a range of services and programs supporting students and their families in the creation of stable and healthy environments.

By building healthy environments of encouragement and growth, we seek to create opportunity for students and their family members to cultivate an empowered, caring, competent and responsible approach to life as valuable members of their communities who, in turn, value others and their environment.

FOCUS

Students, Families and Staff within the South Australian Schooling system can access the services of SMG Community Support Services.

In certain circumstances services may also be extended to general community members with direct relationship/interest in the wellbeing of students and staff of a specific School Community.

PROGRAMS AND SERVICE

FOOD FOR THOUGHT - School Breakfasts Programs

This service provides meals and essential life skills training in food preparation and hygiene for students of families in recognised need. Run within schools before class begins, healthy breakfasts are provided for young people who may otherwise go without, in order that they have the energy needed to stay alert and focused during the school day.

FOOD PARCEL ASSISTANCE

This service accesses FOODBANK* to select food articles and tailor appropriate food packages for students and families according to their specific need in emergency and short term need situations (up to 2 weeks).

* Foodbank is a National Food Distribution Service

HOME MAINTENANCE PROGRAM

This service assists families in a range of home maintenance activities from cleaning and gardening, to general handy work and maintenance. This service may also offer a practical skills component to train and support families in competent home care and maintenance skills.

EMERGENCY RELIEF

The Food Parcel Assistance and Home Maintenance Program are also equipped to provide fast, crucial and effective relief in emergency situations for students and their families in crisis or short-term financial difficulty. Beyond these specific service provisions SMG Community Support Services collaborate with business and community partners to act as a link to a broader range of Emergency Relief Services and may include housing, specialised counselling, clothing, etc.

COUNSELLING SUPPORT & REFERRAL SERVICES

The counselling support and referral service is available through SMG Community Support Services: CPS Workers established in South Australian schools for any student, family or School staff member who seeks assistance. The service offers counselling support in critical situations including grief, family breakdown and other situations concerning human relationships. The service also responds to the direct requests for assistance from staff and school community representatives in discussion of personal concerns with individual students, families or school staff. Where specialised assistance is required CPS Workers can also offer referral to specialised counselling services.

COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT

COMMUNITY EDUCATION & DEVELOPMENT SEMINARS:

Informative, entertaining, interactive and thought provoking seminars are provided for students and staff in South Australian Primary, Secondary and Area schools.

Seminars cover topics such as:

Making healthy choices (Supported in part by EIG Ansvar Insurance)

Values and goal setting

Youth Issues - Bullying, Sexuality, Discrimination

Make Poverty History

LEADERSHIP AWARDS

SMG Community Support Services acknowledges and encourages students, who act as positive role models for their peers, recognising their contribution in benefit of their class and their school community.

As well as acknowledging the student, the Leadership Award also recognises the broader school community for providing an environment conducive to character development and the formation of strong, healthy individuals.

PARTNERSHIP

The Schools Ministry Group works in partnership with the South Australian Heads of Christian Churches for the support and care of children, youth and families in SA.

Support Link Organisations:

Anglican Church - http://www.anglicare-sa.org.au/

Assemblies of God - please contact individual church

Baptist Union - http://sabaptist.asn.au/bcs/

Catholic Church - http://www.centacare.org.au/contactus.asp

CRC Churches International - please contact individual church

Churches of Christ - http://careworks.homeip.net/

Greek Orthodox Church

Lutheran Church - http://www.lccsa.org.au/

Presbyterian Church - please contact individual church

Salvation Army - http://www.salvationarmy.org.au/communitysupport

Uniting Church SA- http://www.sa.uca.org.au/