Mission Australia
Our Vision is to see a fairer Australia by enabling people in need to find pathways to a better life
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Privacy Statement |
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| Wednesday, 12 March 2008 19:44 | ||
Your PrivacyCollection of informationMission Australia collects information from clients and donors solely to carry out its functions. Where possible, information is collected directly from the individual. Where information is collected from a third party, the individual is informed or may reasonably expect that we have been given this information (for example, a client using our employment services will be told, or can be expected to know, that we have already received some information on them from Centrelink). Use and disclosure of information Generally, information is used solely for the purpose for which it was collected (the "primary purpose") or for a closely related secondary purpose, where the client's needs have changed or become extended (for example, a client may provide information when joining one of Mission Australia's programs. Later on, the client may join a different program or be referred on to a different provider who may better meet the client's needs. In either case, some information may be passed on with the client). Some information is used in a secondary manner for direct marketing, to raise further funds to assist Mission Australia. Where we use information for direct marketing, we provide our contact with the opportunity to decline or modify any further direct marketing. We may be required to disclose information by law or for various legal purposes (for example, we often have to provide information on clients to the government bodies that fund our programs). Ensuring data quality We try to ensure our information is accurate and as up-to-date as possible. Information from third parties is checked with the client where possible, and we review applicable personal details regularly with ongoing clients. Ensuring data security All personal information is held under secure conditions with access restricted to those individuals who need it to carry out their work under Mission Australia's programs. Access to information and correction of information It is Mission Australia's policy to give individuals access to their data on request, so that they may review and correct details. We reserve the right to take reasonable steps to ensure that the person seeking access is in fact the individual to whom the data relates; or is otherwise entitled to access the data. If access is refused or restricted, we will give an explanation for this decision. Use of identifiers In dealing with government agencies, Mission Australia is often obliged to collect and use identifying numbers issued by those agencies. However, this is done according to law or regulation as required by each agency. Anonymity Mission Australia allows individuals to act anonymously where it is practical and lawful to do so. For example, we will accept anonymous donations, but are unable to issue a tax-deductible receipt to the donor. Transborder Data Flows Mission Australia ensures client data is sent to government agencies under secure conditions. No data is sent overseas. Sensitive Information Information on race, ethnicity, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, trade union membership, health information or sexual inclination is classed as sensitive information. Mission Australia does not collect sensitive information except with the client's consent or where required by law. Types of Personal and Sensitive Information Handled by Mission Australia All information is handled according to the National Privacy Principles. Information used for Marketing We collect information from various sources, including external sources, for the purpose of raising funds to further the aims of Mission Australia. We may provide basic information regarding our contacts (name, address, telephone numbers) to external organisations. As noted above, we provide our contacts with the opportunity to decline or modify any further direct marketing. Information on Employment Services Clients We collect personal information, including sensitive information on some occasions, in order to help our clients with training, and to get jobs. Information on our clients is handled in accordance with the privacy requirements laid down in our contracts as a service provider to the Commonwealth Government. These requirements are equal to, and sometimes exceed those laid down under the Privacy Act. Information on Community Service Clients Personal information, often including sensitive information, is collected from clients so that we can help them according to the objectives of the service. Personal information collected from our Community Service clients often includes health and other sensitive information. This information is collected with the consent of the client or guardian. If the client needs to be referred to another organisation, then we will only pass on information with the client's consent. Maintaining Financial Records Mission Australia maintains a database of suppliers, customers and other contacts with which it engages in financial transactions. The computerised financial system operated by Mission Australia accesses this database in order to process financial transactions. The information held in the database for each contact consists of the contact's name, address, telephone numbers and one or more identifiers necessary for effective financial processing. The information may be used from time to time for direct marketing purposes to raise funds for Mission Australia. The information is not made available to any third party except to government agencies as required by law. Discussing or Accessing Your Information You may wish to discuss, or obtain access to your personal information as held by Mission Australia, or which you believe may be held by Mission Australia. If you have regular contact as a participant in one of Mission Australia's programs with a particular staff member, we suggest you contact that staff member in the first instance. If you don't have a regular contact, you could get in touch with the department in your area that you understand may be handling your information.
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News Updates
| Garden therapy for mentally illWednesday, 19 March 2008Mission Australia is trialling the use of gardening as a way to combat the isolation, stigma and poor health experienced by people suffering from mental illness. For the past six months, clients of Mission Australia’s Inner City Housing Project (ICHP) – a service providing accommodation and case management support for people with major mental... + Read Full Story |
Young people's mental health - The hidden challenges and how innovation can helpTuesday, 12 August 2008Social Policy in the City Seminar - Wednesday 13 August 2008Two of the country’s foremost authorities on young people’s mental health will discuss the hidden public health challenges facing young Australians and the innovative solutions available at a seminar in Sydney at 12.30pm on Wednesday 13 August 2008...
+ Read Full Story | More News Articles | ||
Mission Australia on Blogspot
Latest homeless figures reflect 'wasted years of inaction'
Today’s release of the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ 2006 Census of homeless people confirms the failure of past homeless policies and is evidence why a dramatic new approach to tackling the problem is needed, according to one of the nation’s leading homeless organisations, Mission Australia. The ABS’s Counting the Homeless report reveals that 105,000 (104,676) Australians were homeless on Census night in 2006 – compared to 99,900 in 2001 – an increase of just under 5 per cent... When the 6 per cent growth in Australia’s general population during this period is taken into account, homeless numbers have remained static over five years. Mission Australia’s CEO, Toby Hall, said the results reflected the “wasted years of inaction” when strong economic growth should have been used to drive homeless numbers down. “The years between 2001 and 2006 were some of the best economic times Australia has experienced – and it was still not enough to reduce homeless numb...
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Finding a safe haven
Mission Australia’s Newcastle Adult Accommodation Support Service (NAASS) is a unique program that offers personalised support to people aged over 18 years who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. At the heart of NAASS is its outreach service. It focuses on helping people maintain their housing (either supported or independent) by offering them assistance with budgeting, medication and community participation. NAASS offers a range of services, including: • Safehaven – offers up to eight weeks accommodation to people at risk of homelessness. • Supported Housing Program – offers up to 12 weeks accommodation to people undergoing drug or alcohol treatment. • Internal medium-term housing – for clients who are working hard but are not yet able to secure housing • Long-term housing - for clients overcoming alcohol or mental health issues. Megan* was 20 years old when she came to Safehaven. She had been involved in an unstable and violent relationship and...
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Improved literacy and numeracy keys to getting a better job
National Literacy and Numeracy Week – 1-7 September Are you looking for a job but don’t think your reading, writing and numerical skills are up to scratch? Do you find it difficult to communicate with other people and that it stops you getting the most out of life? Mission Australia – one of the nation’s leading providers of support services and training to jobseekers – has vacancies in its Language, Literacy and Numeracy Program (LLNP) to help people struggling with their basic communication and numerical skills. Mission Australia’s Executive Leader of Training, David Makin, said LLNP was a free service for eligible participants run in partnership with the Australian Government and had already helped close to 60,000 people around the country. “Statistics show that approximately 17% of Australians – 2.5 million people – have low literacy levels, while 18% – 2.7 million people – were at the lowest document literacy level,” said David. “Sadly, of these num...
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Tackling truancy - is cutting welfare payments an effective method?
The debate surrounding the linking of welfare payments to school attendance has brought out strong views on both sides – not surprising for issues so fundamental to our community’s well-being. Parents have a responsibility for their children’s welfare and education. Kids must go to school and be safe in the home. In the exchange of views one thing seems to have been lost – why are we only looking at punitive measures to keep kids in school, why not provide incentives and a positive approach to do the same? There was an interesting opinion piece in The Age newspaper recently by Larissa Behrendt (Behrendt is professor of law and indigenous studies at Sydney's University of Technology) in which she outlined some of the successful initiatives that have been used to combat truancy in Indigenous communities – without resorting to the withdrawal of income support. They include: Breakfast and lunch programs that attract children from dysfunctional families to school. Programs that...
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When energy really matters
Conserving energy has become a financial necessity for disadvantaged Australians - something that will likely increase with the expected rise of household gas and electricity bills under the anticipated 2010 emissions trading scheme. Recognising this, Mission Australia and AGL came together last year to deliver a new program, Energy Matters, aimed at helping struggling families and individuals in South Australia to better manage their energy consumption and costs. Following an in-home energy audit, AGL's staff help clients identify a range of energy savings, including providing access to energy efficient appliances. Since kicking off in October 2007, Energy Matters has worked with more than 70 households around Adelaide. Follow-up contact indicates that households involved in the program have significantly reduced their energy usage, with bill savings of up to $200 per quarter. Reductions in ongoing energy costs have also enabled people to start addressing their outstanding energ...
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Award winning aged-care service for the homeless turns ten
On Tuesday 26th August, Mission Australia will celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the opening of Charles Chambers Court (CCC), its Surry Hills based aged-care facility for the homeless, frail and aged. Special guest at the event will be Ita Buttrose, AO OBE. The occasion will be a double celebration for CCC, which the previous day received the $10,000 Positive Living in Aged Care Award (Selective Strategies Category) for its programs to promote the maintenance and/or the improvement of the mental health and wellbeing of residents with special needs. CCC is one of a few aged-care homes of its kind in Australia, which caters exclusively for low-income and homeless clients, many who have come directly from living on the streets. More than 50% of the CCC residents have a diagnosed mental illness. In addition to having a safe home, residents have access to medical treatment and support, psychiatric and psychogeriatric treatment, recreational activities and assistance with daily tasks. ...
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Mission Australia set to relaunch family support service
Mission Australia will officially open its new premises at Jacaranda House in Balcatta today. Jacaranda House provides a range of community services aimed at families and young people, including supported housing, youth and family support programs. State Director Ross Kyrwood said that funding for the new site was provided by Lotterywest. “The funding provided by Lotterywest has enabled us to buy furniture and refit the entire Balcatta site,” Mr Kyrwood said. “This generous support has played a big role in helping Mission Australia to continue to supply these important community services in Perth’s northern suburbs. “Jacaranda House offers support across the community - from supported housing assistance for individuals and families to the largest service offered at the site – Pathways Projects,” he said. Pathways is an early intervention and prevention program for 0-5 year old children and their families, promoting healthy development, positive relationships and s...
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Green Corps success in Pinjarra
Over the past six months, a team of dedicated Mission Australia Green Corps participants have been working on environmental projects in the WA town of Pinjarra, located on the banks of the Murray River. This month the Green Corps team graduated with a nationally accredited Certificate I in Conservation and Land Care Management, as well as certificates of completion. During their time in the Pinjarra, the team worked on significant community projects which helped improve their leadership, networking and team building skills. Mission Australia 's Green Corps projects offer young people, aged between 17 and 20, the opportunity to receive quality training while contributing to environmental and cultural heritage initiatives. Green Corp is an Australian Government youth development program. As a partner agency, Mission Australia runs Green Corps projects in South Australia and Western Australia. If you're interested in applying to take part in one of these projects, visit www.magreen...
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Mission Australia's Michael Project for the homeless launched today
A groundbreaking new homeless initiative – Mission Australia’s Michael Project – was launched in Sydney today with the prospect it will change the face of homeless services across Australia in the years ahead. The starting point for the Michael Project is the recognition that, broadly speaking, the current approach in Australia for helping people out of homelessness isn’t working... Getting out of homelessness – and staying out – is about more than just having a roof over your head. It’s also about being able to participate in your community – having the capacity to find and keep a job, to cook and clean for yourself and to look after your health. To do that successfully, homeless people need help across a range of areas – health, educational and social services – in addition to finding a safe and sustainable place to stay. However, in the current landscape, when these services are available they often have long waiting lists and are poorly co-ordinated. A ho...
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Centrelink staff generously donate for Sydney's homeless
Sydney’s homeless will be a little warmer this winter, thanks to a generous donation of money and blankets to Mission Australia by Centrelink staff from Marrickville, Leichhardt and Redfern. Marrickville Centrelink manager, Renee Kennett, said Centrelink staff were keen to make a contribution to tackling homelessness in Sydney's inner west. “Our staff are passionate about making a positive difference in our community, so organising some fundraising and the donation of warm blankets and clothing, is our way of saying we care,” Renee said. “Centrelink's staff regularly visit local homeless services to gain a better understanding of how they operate and to offer assistance. We're committed to providing vital Australian Government support to homeless people through our specialist teams,” Renee said....
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Young people's mental health - The hidden challenges and how innovation can help
Social Policy in the City Seminar - Wednesday 13 August 2008 Two of the country’s foremost authorities on young people’s mental health will discuss the hidden public health challenges facing young Australians and the innovative solutions available at a seminar in Sydney at 12.30pm on Wednesday 13 August 2008... Professor Patrick McGorry, Professor of Youth Mental Health at the University of Melbourne and Kerry Graham, CEO Inspire Foundation will be the guest speakers at this month’s Social Policy in the City event – a regular seminar jointly held by Mission Australia, The Smith Family and the Social Policy Research Centre. What: The Hidden Challenges of Youth Mental Health – Social Policy in the City When: 12.30pm, Wednesday 13 August Where: Macquarie Group Limited, Level 22, 20 Bond Street, Sydney Who: Professor Patrick McGorry - University of Melbourne Kerry Graham - CEO Inspire Foundation Professor McGorry is currently Professor of Youth Mental Health at...
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City2Surf raises $15,000 for Homeless Services
Mission Australia, an official Charity Partner for this year’s Sun-Herald City2Surf, attracted over 100 supporters to raise $15,000 for our Sydney homeless services. Mission Australia would like to thank staff and supporters for their fundraising efforts and for successfully completing the 14km journey. Well done! In total, the event raised $1.06m for charities nationwide and beat last year’s fundraising record. The Mission Australia team had a fabulous day, spread out over the four starting groups, from the serious runners to the more light-hearted walkers. The first Mission Australia team member to cross the line was Peter Monaghan, in an amazing 57mins! “Running into Bondi to an enthusiastic crowd lining the streets with sweat stinging your eyes is something to always remember,” Peter said. Not only were there over forty staff involved in the race, seven clients from Mission Australia’s homeless services also participated in the race. Special thanks to New Balance Sh...
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5th Birthday for Volt Youth Enterprise Centre
The Mission Australia VOLT will celebrate five years of providing services and support to young people in Adelaide’s southern suburbs with a birthday party at the VOLT on Friday. The party – complete with birthday cake - will be staged at the VOLT Youth Enterprise Centre at the corner of Aldinga Beach Road and Pridham Boulevard, Aldinga Beach, on Friday, 15th August from 3pm until 5pm. The Mission Australia VOLT Youth Enterprise Centre is an Onkaparinga Youth Services program, supported by the City of Onkaparinga, which provides recreation, leadership and professional development training and activities to young people in the Willunga Basin area. More than 100 people are expected to attend the birthday celebrations, at which local Sellicks bands Zephyr, Mysto the Magician and aerosol artist Sam Evans will provide entertainment. Special guests include the Member for Kingston, Amanda Rishworth, and the Mayor of City of Onkaparinga, Lorraine Rosenberg. The cake will be cut at abo...
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Homeless youth on the rise in Tasmania
National Homeless Persons Week 4-10 August New figures show that of the 4,700 people who accessed homeless support services in Tasmania in 2006-07, 1,800 were aged under 25 – including 950 aged between 15-19 – both a slight increase on the previous year.* The growing number of young people needing help or at risk of homelessness can also be seen at Mission Australia's Youth Beat outreach program, which has helped more than 10,000 young Tasmanians in the Glenorchy area since September 2007. As one of Australia's leading community service and homeless organisations, Mission Australia said more and more Tasmanians were at risk of homelessness because of rising housing costs and other financial and family pressures. Mission Australia State Director Noel Mundy said the organisation was definitely seeing more people needing help. "At Mission Australia's recently opened Chigwell House service, all of the 14 low cost one-bedroom units for people at risk of homelessness have been f...
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Put the fun in fundraising!
Mission Australia receives requests from the public each week enquiring how they can help us through fundraising activities. Holding a fundraising activity is a fun and interactive way to get involved in your community, spread awareness about Mission Australia and raise vital funds that help us to transform the lives of disadvantaged Australians. Yean Joo, an engineering student from the University of Queensland, is the marketing director of YAW, a t-shirt company set up as part of a university assignment, sponsored by Accenture Australia. Yean Joo has incorporated fundraising into the assignment and will be donating proceeds from the t-shirt sales to Mission Australia to support homelessness. You can visit their website at www.yawtshirt.com It is easy to incorporate fundraising into the every day things that you do, like Yean Joo did at university. If you would like to support Mission Australia through your own fundraiser, please contact communityfundraising@missionaustralia.com....
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Kirribilli House fundraising dinner an outstanding success
Mission Australia had the honour of being the first charity to use Kirribilli House for holding a fundraising dinner last night at the Prime Minister’s Sydney residence. Mission Australia made a submission to be considered for the privilege after the Prime Minister’s decision – announced in May – to provide national charities with free access to Kirribilli House for fundraising purposes. The theme of the dinner was homelessness – or more specifically – what can be done to tackle the problem in our community and drive homeless numbers down. The night was an outstanding success and we hope to raise a minimum of $500,000 with all money going towards our programs for homeless Australians....
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Mixed emotions as Federal government's emergency intervention moves into WA
The Northern Territory’s emergency intervention arrived in West Australia last week. Similar to trials currently underway in the NT, the Federal and WA governments announced that, from September, parents in Cannington and four communities in the Kimberley – Oombulgurri, Kununurra, Warmun and Wyndham – can have 70 per cent of their income support payments quarantined for the benefit of their children if they are deemed to be using the money inappropriately. For those of us on the front line providing services and support to families most likely to be affected by these measures, it’s hard not to have mixed emotions. It’s difficult to argue about the withdrawal of income support as a means of making sure parents send their kids to school or use their payments to buy food or pay the bills instead of alcohol or drugs. But looking behind these measures, there are bigger questions at stake. Is using a fairly large and blunt policy stick the best way to change the behaviour of...
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Transforming lives at Mission Australia Centre, Sydney
Sometimes, life’s challenges can really knock you around. Whether due to bad luck or tragedy, from time-to-time things go wrong, and without the right support, it can be hard to recover. David*, a client at the Mission Australia Centre (MAC) in Sydney, knows this better than most people. Struggling for years with a drug addiction, David still managed to maintain a relatively normal life. But following a vicious attack in December 2007, David was admitted to hospital for a hip operation, during which time he lost his job. Things looked pretty grim. David was then referred to the MAC. At that stage, he was drinking in his room every day. During his stay at MAC, David began accessing some of the services at the centre, such as attending Understanding Communication Workshops, Tai Chi classes and the Relapse Prevention Program. He was also able to access professional services, such as CentreLink, the special needs dental service, medical assistance and legal services. A chef by trade...
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CYI designs statue for World Youth Day
One of the many activities planned for Sydney during World Youth Day celebrations is the Jesus Walks art exhibition – 33 life-size sculptures of Jesus scattered throughout the city to raise money for homeless young people. The organisers of the exhibition commissioned a group of young artists – Catholic and non-Catholic, Christian and non-Christian – to creatively dress and decorate each Jesus. Two of the young artists selected to participate were Frank Lee and Chris Maharaj who are students at Mission Australia’s Creative Youth Initiatives (CYI) program. Frank came up with the design for the statue, inspired by the Bible quote: “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:14). Frank and Chris worked on the painting of the statue with help from CYI tutors. "Our design consists of acrylic painted silhouettes of children all over the Jesus statue. All the silhouettes have different colours...
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Welfare groups decry remodelled shipping containers for low cost housing
Housing affordability is in the news again with some of Melbourne’s welfare groups decrying the concept of remodelling goods containers to provide low-cost housing. They say they will become ‘ghettos’. Late last week, we saw anti-development protesters gearing themselves up to protest the spread of high-density housing in their suburbs. It seems that as soon as anyone wants to deliver apartment-living in our cities someone starts complaining. I’m sure these same people would no doubt support greater action to help homeless people and fear the growth in unaffordable housing. But the truth is you can’t have one without the other. We have a problem with homelessness and housing affordability in Australia. No part of our society can afford to put their blinkers on when it comes to finding a solution. That includes the homelessness and welfare groups who gave a knee-jerk ‘no’ to the shipping containers idea. It includes the anti-development NIMBY (not in my backyard)...
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