WITH the cost-of-living crisis still looming over many, one of Ballarat’s key child and family service organisations is being assisted to support people in the region who are struggling financially.<\/p>\n
Following a successful bid, Cafs will share in the State Government’s $15 million Financial Counselling Funding Round 2024\/25 aimed at ameliorating housing-related financial challenges for Victorians.<\/p>\n
Through the grant, Cafs staff are aiming to establish a Financial Wellness Hub where people can access support services, counselling and coaching, and can be helped towards financial independence.<\/p>\n
Cafs CEO Wendy Sturgess said the hub will serve as a one-stop access point to help people with their rental or mortgage needs.<\/p>\n
“The hub will allow us to create easy-to-use, non-intimidating channels of communication to reach people within our community experiencing financial hardship due to rental or mortgage stress,” she said.<\/p>\n
“Cost of living is an issue increasingly impacting so many within our community. We know that early intervention is the key to assisting people to overcome financial hardship.<\/p>\n
“The benefit of the service that Cafs delivers is that we work with families and individuals in the environment they feel most comfortable.<\/p>\n
“This, in turn, removes the issues and stigma that services are hard to reach and makes services more accessible through universal locations.<\/p>\n
“Investing in early intervention as opposed to responding once a person is engaged with statutory services delivers a better return on investment for the client, the community, service providers and the Government.”<\/p>\n
The hub will also be open to adjacent regions via an online component, including Horsham, Central Goldfields, Northern Grampians, Southern Grampians, Yarriambiack, Hindmarsh, West Wimmera, and Glenelg.<\/p>\n
Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison said it is important Cafs continues to be supported with state resources.<\/p>\n
“Funding for financial counselling at Cafs will have real benefits supporting people experiencing financial difficulties, providing professional financial support when they need it most,” she said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
WITH the cost-of-living crisis still looming over many, one of Ballarat’s key child and family service organisations is being assisted to support people in the region who are struggling financially. Following a successful bid, Cafs will share in the State Government’s $15 million Financial Counselling Funding Round 2024\/25 aimed at ameliorating housing-related financial challenges for […]<\/p>\n