Community Connectors
Posted by Administrator (admin) on Nov 05 2008
2008 >>

Beenleigh, Eagleby and Labrador families are set to benefit from a new Community Renewal-funded project aimed at connecting socially isolated residents with the wider community.

Member for Albert Margaret Keech, Member for Waterford Evan Moorhead and Member for Southport Peter Lawlor today announced close to $70,000 in funding for the Community Connectors project.

Ms Keech said two project coordinators would be employed and a total of 60 volunteers – 30 in Beenleigh and 30 in Labrador – recruited and trained to form part of a richer network of social, learning and sporting activities for residents with special and diverse needs.

“As part of this initiative, the coordinators will also be able to access accredited training such as Certificate 3 in disability and associated training,” he said.

“The volunteers who successfully complete this training will be fully equipped with the necessary skills and qualifications to help our most vulnerable residents such as frail and aged people, people with a disability or suffering mental illness.

Mr Moorhead said the project would help to raise the profile, and awareness of, disability issues in the community.

“The Community Connectors project will reach out to others and show how well the community can respond to individual needs,” Mr Moorhead said.

“It offer opportunities for positive social interaction within personal networks: through club, group or workplace.

“Participants will be able to join sporting activities including rugby league, bowling, soccer and basketball or wider activities for adult and youth.”

Mr Lawlor said the project would lead others to expand their thinking and increase the awareness of the isolation some residents may experience.

“They will focus on linking families to others who feel isolated and facilitate the inclusion of people with diverse needs into the wider community,” Mr Lawlor said.

Community Renewal is a State Government initiative coordinated by the Department of Housing. Renewal activities are delivered in partnership with residents, local councils and other government and non-government agencies.

Since 1998, the State Government, through its Community Renewal program, has invested more than $112.6 million in renewal communities around Queensland, including more than $14.5 million in the Gold Coast North and South area.

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