MADCOW has found a new home for its op-shop in a repurposed auto garage based in Eaglehawk.<\/p>\n
After six weeks of effort from volunteers from the locally based charity, the workshop was transformed into a fit-for-purpose retail space packed with second hand goods.<\/p>\n
All profits from the op-shop will be funnelled back into MADCOW\u2019s homelessness support services.<\/p>\n
The move comes ahead of a redevelopment at the Hargraves Street location which will become a space for helping people in accommodation insecurity with services including food, showers, laundry and storage facilities.<\/p>\n
MADCOW director Matt Parkinson said the organisation piloted the hub model for homeless support at the end of 2020.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe do all the basic stuff, coffee, all those kinds of things, a little bit of emergency accommodation which we\u2019ll pay for sometimes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn our hub we now have the likes of impact recovery that come in, drug and alcohol counsellors, community health, we have HavenHomesafe and those sorts of things.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Hargraves Street location was created to be a space where people can access basic amenities, and when ready get support from more specialised services, such as counselling.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s taken off really well in two and a half years because it\u2019s when they\u2019re ready and we help them get ready basically, it\u2019s that simple,\u201d Mr Parkinson said.<\/p>\n
The hub already has a hairdresser and Mr Parkinson said there were plans to develop a clinical space which will include a podiatrist.<\/p>\n
MADCOW members initially planned to develop the organisation over a period of 10 to 15 years but philanthropic funding enabled the acceleration of the plans.<\/p>\n
The $3.4 million in donations was used to purchase the Hargraves Street building, pay for refurbishments, and place a deposit on the Eaglehawk op-shop.<\/p>\n
Funds came from organisations including Sidney Myer, Agnico Eagle, The Lord Mayors foundation, the City of Greater Bendigo, and anonymous donors.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor us as an organisation it\u2019s put us 10 to 15 years ahead,\u201d Mr Parkinson said.<\/p>\n
The MADCOW op-shop is open on weekdays from 9.30am to 5pm and Saturdays from 10. am to 3pm.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
MADCOW has found a new home for its op-shop in a repurposed auto garage based in Eaglehawk. After six weeks of effort from volunteers from the locally based charity, the workshop was transformed into a fit-for-purpose retail space packed with second hand goods. All profits from the op-shop will be funnelled back into MADCOW\u2019s homelessness […]<\/p>\n