CHILD and Family Services\u2019s financial counselling program recently serviced its twenty-thousandth client.<\/p>\n
Reaching the milestone at the end of October after 35 years of the program, Coordinator of financial counselling, Colin Handreck said ultimately it was \u201cjust another day at the office.\u201d<\/p>\n
Motivated, more than ever, to support those \u201cjust like you and I,\u201d currently experiencing financial hardship, Mr Handreck\u2019s team \u201cget out of bed to help people\u201d in a tailored way.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe people who come to us are just going through a patch… unemployment, after an accident, a period of illness, or after severe trauma or a major incident like a relationship breakdown,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat was happening previously for them, now doesn\u2019t work as smoothly. We\u2019re providing them with paralegal information and options to resolve their debts and financial dilemmas.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn a milestone sense, it gives us cause to pause and reflect back on how many individuals, families and households have been positively impacted by the program that\u2019s been provided as a free service, funded by the Victorian government.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Handreck said there\u2019s one simple but meaningful thing that\u2019s rewarding for the Cafs financial counsellors; hope.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s our primary goal for people to know things can and will work out.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s a non-financial outcome but, giving hope to people who are often at a very low point in their life, stabilising their position and resolving their financial circumstances is very satisfying,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n