News

Haven 'comes of age' in the Mallee

Tue, 30 Jun 2015 12:15:00

The Mallee division of Haven; Home, Safe (HHS) will celebrate its coming of age this week.

Tomorrow (1 July) marks 18 years since the agency began providing services for the homeless and disadvantaged across the region.
HHS started as a small program with one staff member, working from an office within Mallee Family Care, and has grown to become a fully integrated service with stand-alone offices in Mildura and Robinvale.
HHS CEO Ken Marchingo said the organisation had become essential to the local community.
“We take a progressive approach to delivering services and I think it’s that attitude that has ensured we reach the diverse range of people in need,” Mr Marchingo said. 
“HHS has always been prepared to think creatively and collaborate and I think that’s respected and recognised within the sector and the community,” he said.
Mr Marchingo said a major achievement had been establishing the Meminar Ngangg Gimba (women who dwell here) program in 2010 for Aboriginal women dealing with family violence.
“Handing it over to Mildura District Aboriginal Services in December last year was a real high point,” he said.
“Other highlights have been opening our own offices in Mildura and Robinvale in 2010, and growing our service footprint in the Mallee.
“We have become a fundamental part of the service system and will continue to do everything we can to assist the most disadvantaged in the community.”
HHS ’s Mallee General Manager Margrete Hamence said the agency  had come a long way over the past 18 years.
She said HHS   now offered a range of sustainable housing outcomes for the homeless and those at risk of housing crisis, as well as support services focused on developing life skills and individual capacity.
“We have a fantastic local team that works with our community to address issues of homelessness and provide support to people in their time of need – and we will continue to focus on helping the community for many years to come," she said.
A birthday celebration will be held at the Mildura office tomorrow to commemorate the milestone.