Extra hand in a crisis

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LLOYD SCROOPE
People in crisis will soon have an extra door to knock on.

St Augustine’s Parish Priest, Father Mick Burke, has announced a CatholicCare regional office will set up base in Yass in the early part of next year.

Specialising in counselling broken families and relationships, caring for drug addicts and alcoholics, and supporting those with mental health issues, CatholicCare has taken 220,000 people under its wing in the last year alone.

The soon-to-be regional office, earmarked to initially operate out of the old St Augustine’s convent, will be the centre-point for a region reaching an hour in each direction.

The CatholicCare office will join the Rae Burgess Centre, Yass Community Health, St Vincent De Paul, the Salvation Army, Yass Home Living Support Service, Yass Youth Association, Valmar Support Services, Ngunnawal Community Care and others as active social support and welfare centres operating within Yass.

According to Father Mick, there is a pressing need for a CatholicCare office in Yass. “It will meet a great need in town. It’s looking at bringing the mission of the Gospel to the area,” he said.

“The reality is there are a lot of issues with mental health, drug and alcohol abuse and family relationships that aren’t being addressed. While I acknowledge the fantastic work being done by other agencies, particularly Community Health, CatholicCare will provide another service.”

CatholicCare’s mission is forged around nine basic values: social justice, empowerment, equality, collaboration, solidarity, spirituality, excellence, respect and compassion.

In line with its mission and values, CatholicCare will help people in need - whether it’s with clothing, counselling or advice - who walk in off the street or phone in advance.

Acting CEO of CatholicCare Canberra/Goulburn, Faye Green, said the organisation was thrilled about opening an office in Yass.

“CatholicCare is very excited about opening an official office in Yass. We have been operating a number of programs in Yass for several years but have not had formal premises previously,” she said.