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February 2009

Aunties & Uncles concept celebrates 35 years of linking kids in need with trained volunteers

CareSouth's Aunties & Uncles is celebrating 35 years of the Aunties & Uncles concept with an appropriately themed colouring-in competition.

"The Aunties & Uncles concept was pioneered 35 years ago by Rose White in Sydney," said Aunties & Uncles Program Manager, Clare Wilson.

"Rose believed that giving time, friendship, care and guidance to children from families that were socially and emotionally disadvantaged, would have a long-term impact on each child's self esteem and confidence, said Ms Wilson

"Rose with the support of friends began to provide Sydney street children with an opportunity to experience weekend trips to her farm at Terrey Hills and then Bundeena. The first official 'aunties' and 'uncles' came from the local Bundeena community, she said.

"Our Anniversary Edition Colouring-in Form depicts children enjoying the delights of a farm visit with their city home in the background. It is a graphic illustration of how this program lifts children from the stress or loneliness of their home life and gives them memories and experiences that they will treasure for a lifetime.

"CareSouth brought the Aunties & Uncles concept to the Shoalhaven in 1993 and the Illawarra in 2006 has enabled many long-term friendships to be forged between children and volunteers, said Ms Wilson.

"We are overwhelmed with the community support that exists for this volunteer program. We now have more than 100 volunteer aunties and uncles between Helensburgh and Batemans Bay. But there are so many children still in need. Our vision is to be able to link every child that is referred to us with an appropriate volunteer family, she said.

Aunties & Uncles links community volunteers with children from two to 12 years of age from families who could benefit from support. Volunteers are able to provide friendship, support, role-modelling, family respite and fun experiences. Generally the child or young person is given an opportunity to experience life with another family, by staying with the Aunt and/or Uncle for a weekend each month

"Aunties & Uncles replaces what's missing in a child's life, it replaces the support structures that they don't have which are so important for them to develop self esteem, self-worth and sense of purpose. It recognises that a young person needs normalcy and security, said Ms Wilson

"It is very rewarding for the volunteers. Giving time, friendship, care and guidance can help build a child's self esteem and confidence. Volunteers need to be caring adults, over the age of 21, with a genuine interest in spending time with children and consent to a working with children check, said Ms Wilson.

Illawarra school students could win one of 18 family fun days out by entering Aunties & Uncles 35 Year Anniversary Colouring-in Competition. Clare Wilson said, "We hope that the competition will increase awareness of this fantastic program and encourage more families to volunteer to spend time with another child, for a weekend once a month.

"Entries close on the 27th of March and prizewinners will be announced on the 2 April so the winners can enjoy their prizes in the April school holidays.

"Anyone interested in joining the program can contact CareSouth on 1300 554 260, she said.

Photo contact: Jo Munro, PR Manager, mob 0412 999 537.

CareSouth’s Aunties & Uncles concept celebrates 35 years of linking kids in need with trained volunteer. Designer of the 35th Anniversary colouring-in competition form, Lindsay Crethar.

January 2009

Aunties & Uncles concept celebrates 35 years of linking kids in need with trained volunteers

CareSouth received a funding boost to provide foster care places for children in the Illawarra and southern NSW over the next three years.

The contract will see CareSouth services extend into Queanbeyan.

Community Services Minister Linda Burney visited the Nowra office in December 2008 to make the formal presentation of the contract praising CareSouth’s efforts in securing the contract through a highly competitive process.

Chris Stubbs, newly appointed General Manager of OOHC, said "This additional funding will mean a big increase in the size of our operation but there is a growing need out there," Mr Stubbs said. "We feel confident we have the capacity and infrastructure to support more vulnerable children and young people and their carers."

The funding will include 70 general and 32 intensive foster care placements.

Ms Burney said the new contract “will mean more options available for children in foster care, including more foster care placements in areas where there are currently gaps."

CareSouth’s Aunties & Uncles concept celebrates 35 years of linking kids in need with trained volunteer. Designer of the 35th Anniversary colouring-in competition form, Lindsay Crethar.