News

Helping hand for Mildura not-for-profit

Mon, 17 Aug 2015 05:29:00

A Mildura not-for-profit organisation creating meaningful opportunities for some of the community’s most vulnerable people will benefit from a generous donation from Mildura Base Hospital.

MBH has handed over 15 computers to Curious Grace Social Enterprises for use in their community programs, which provide work and life skills for people going through work for the dole.
Curious Grace Social Enterprises, which opened its doors in Ninth Street last week, developed out of the work started at Curious Grace Community Café in Pine Avenue.
Founder and executive officer of Curious Grace Jacqui Pasquale said job seekers she met through the café were under a lot of stress and a not-for-profit enterprise was created to tackle the issue.
Mrs Pasquale said there were between 500 and 800 people in Mildura going through Work for the Dole, and Curious Grace offered them real and meaningful opportunities.
“We’re trying to create an alternate economy because there are very few jobs out there,” she said.
“Many of the people in our programs have amazing talent, but they’re sitting at home unable to find work, and that leads to a downward spiral.
“We are focussing on people’s strengths and creating a purpose and a reason to get up in the morning. And while they’re here they learn about networking and communication, so we’re also building social capital.”
Mrs Pasquale said Curious Grace was grateful for the MBH donation, which would allow the delivery of vital skills training.
“Some of the people who come through don’t know how to use a computer, but it’s a skill that people need to work now,” she said.
Ramsay Health Care’s Service Delivery Manager in Mildura Greg Orr said it was the start of an ongoing relationship between the hospital and Curious Grace.
“The hospital is part of the community, so we’re keen to do whatever we can to assist organisations like this with the important work they do,” Mr Orr said.
“This was only the first donation to help them get up and running – there’s another 10 computers coming their way in the next couple of weeks ¬– and we’ll continue to help out in any way that we can.”
Managing director of Curious Grace Social Enterprises Majella Ballard said their mission was to connect with people experiencing mental and emotional distress, and the best way to do that was by delivering a work for the dole service.

“About 85 per cent of people experiencing long-term unemployment have mental health issues,” Ms Ballard said.
“Our community really needs to engage with people who are disengaging because of emotional and mental distress, but it’s a tall order to step into the space and provide this kind of service.
“There will never be enough people in this community who can step up and lend a hand.”
Ms Ballard said the donation from MBH was a great example of how the corporate world and community could play a part.
“We’d love to see more of the corporate community asking how they can help,” she said.
“They can help by getting involved with organisations like us, who work at the grassroots level with people who are experiencing distress.”
Any other organisations wanting to assist can contact Ms Ballard on 0439 612 317.