Casework and Advocacy Funding Crisis!

"Everyday, people come through our door needing specialist assistance that does not exist in the South Eastern Sydney Area. Many of these people are suicidal and experience other significant mental health issues. Often, their housing and income support problems are preventing them from using other support services we provide that could help them to become well. They do not fall through the service net. They typically bounce fruitlessly between Centrelink and Housing NSW, becoming increasingly bewildered and angry, alienating workers in those organisations, and thereby sealing their fate. At this point, they often land on your doorstep and usually, you refer them to our Centre. What would happen to these people if we did not provide the service?"
Letter to local State and Federal members [PDF 68KB]

"We believe that the Australian and NSW State Governments must play a bigger role than is currently the case, in ameliorating the impact on vulnerable individuals in our community. It cannot be left to underfunded and under-resourced organisations like The JNC to do this work without financial assistance from government."
Full briefing paper [PDF 80KB]
Client profile statistics [PDF 68KB]

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Welcome to
The Junction Neighbourhood Centre

Everyone at The JNC were very saddened to hear about the death of Grace Runnerstrum on May 22nd. Grace was well known in the local community for her long association with The Junction Neighbourhood Centre.

Grace will be featured in JNC's Winter Newsletter
Due out mid July

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Junction Neighbourhood Centre provides a diverse range of services and support to people who live in the Randwick LGA and surrounding areas.

The JNC almost totally relies on funding from Federal, State and Local Government.

The JNC is managed by a voluntary Management Committee, composed of local residents and workers.

The JNC actively encourages and supports community volunteering opportunities. For more information see VAST, VAST Newsletter, VAST Training & Volunteer Jobs.

Our Annual Report for 2008 is now available.     To view or download click here [1.4MB]

Our Vision

The Vision of The Junction Neighbourhood Centre is to contribute to, and be part of a community that works together for reconciliation, fairness, justice, acceptance and tolerance for all.

Our Values

The Junction Neighbourhood Centre believes in these values:

Equity - Everyone is treated fairly and justly, with a fair share for all.

Equality - Everyone is treated with respect, tolerance, dignity and acceptance.

Access - Everyone has fair and equal access to services.

Participation - Everyone is given an opportunity to participate in community life.

Reconciliation - We acknowledge the Traditional Land Owners and support reconciliation in the community

Our Aims

The aims of The Junction Neighbourhood Centre are:

To provide for the relief of poverty, distress, misfortune, sickness, helplessness, and loneliness of persons who reside in the Randwick LGA and surrounding areas.

To provide responsive and meaningful services to meet identified community needs.

To seek to develop community participation in the provision of services. To co-operate and work in partnership with other organisations with similar objects or aims.

To ensure that the principles of equity, equality, access, participation and reconciliation are incorporated into all programmes and projects.

To seek to improve community health and well being.

To undertake community development roles in the local community.

What Is a Neighbourhood Centre?

1. It is a centre - it has a stand alone building or part of a larger Community Centre, but distinct from other services in that Centre. It has a distinguishable entrance that is easily identified as an approachable place for people to visit.

2. It is attached to a neighbourhood - it is an important part of the local community. Its main job is to know about the community and respond to the needs of local residents.

3. It responds to all residents in its locality - its main job is to know about the community and its diversity and respond to the needs of local residents. It is not just about one particular type of service or one target group, but about developing a strong community. It uses both government funding and local resources such as volunteers, to help others in the community.

4. It is a generalist organisation - it provides a core of basic information and support as well as a place to meet for anyone in the community. In addition, a centre provides a wide range of services, often with government funding, that reflect local needs. This makes it different from many other community organisations that may be set up to provide one specific service.

5. It is a community development organisation - it works with people in its local community to support them in meeting their needs and to empower them.

6. It is an independent community organisation - it has legal status as an Incorporated Association, which is owned and controlled by its local members. It then chooses to enter into contract with government departments to deliver services. Some Neighbourhood Centres are not auspiced by an Incorporated Association.

7. It is run by a community management committee - made up of volunteers from the community. This provides connect ion and accountability to the local community.

8. It is flexible - because it is generalist, it can respond to an individual in a holistic way. It also can support people who do not fit other services.

9. It is part of a network - it interacts with other community organisations operating in the same locality, often on joint projects.

10. It is a one stop shop - for community service information, support and referral.

Printed in LOCAL the newsletter of the Local Community Services Association Tel: 02 9211 3644

What We Offer

Please see individual service pages for comprehensive details of what they offer.

Information & Referral Services

Offering extensive information on local community services, groups and organisations. Our newsletter - JNC News - is published quarterly.

Groups & Classes

English conversation classes, craft classes, Writing & Poetry classes, book clubs etc.

Outreach Services

Providing a base for various specialist Outreach Services.

Aged Care and Disability Services

Offering individual transport, home visiting, list shopping and banking. Weekly social outings, an in-home respite program and carer support and resources.

Family Support Service

Offering counselling and support to families along with various support groups, parents groups and personal development courses.

Waverley Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service

Providing support and legal representation to women making an application for an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order (AVO)

Volunteer And Service Training (VAST)

Offering recruitment and referral of volunteers and training for volunteers, staff and management committees.

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JNC users have a right:

to access services without discrimination

to be informed about available services

to privacy

to pursue any complaint about the services provided

Interpreter Service:

JNC will provide you with the assistance of an interpreter if required. Alternatively, you can call the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on 131 450. They will contact JNC for you.

A copy of our brochure is available on the Publications page.

For further details contact the Coordinator on 9349-8200 or email coordinator@jnc.org.au.

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JNC receives funding from:

Department of Community Services

Legal Aid Commission

Department of Ageing, Disability & Home Care

Department of Health & Aged Care

Randwick City Council

Bendigo Bank - Clovelly Community Bank