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Types of relief
Emergency Housing
Southern Emergency Relief Network (SERN)

Types of relief

• Food pantry
• Emergency supplies

People need emergency relief because they have insufficient money or resources to meet their most basic of needs. People living in poverty miss out on opportunities and resources that most of us take for granted, such as an adequate standard of health care, educations, employment opportunities, food and recreation. Our service always includes the provision of food parcels from our pantry. Depending on the food either donated to us, or purchased, these items will vary week to week.

Irregularly, the DVCAB can supply

• Food vouchers
• Petrol vouchers
• Utility bill payments

Food Pantry Hours of Operation

• Wednesday, 12pm - 3pm
• Thursday, 11am - 3pm

Other important information

• Clients need to bring a current Centrelink Health Care Card
• No delivery service available
• Clients can use the service every fortnight. Clients may be asked to meet with the DVCAB social worker
• There are no boundaries for food
• Clients need to be aware that this service is staffed by our team of volunteers

• To provide emergency relief providers in the Southern Metropolitan area with opportunities for mutual support
• To encourage information sharing between service providers for mutual benefit (eg identifying funding opportunities)
• To identify community needs and issues (in the emergency relief area) and represent client's interests to government policy makers and other key bodies To represent the needs and interests of our organisations and services to funding bodies and policy makers
• To link services in with other networks via membership of the central Emergency Relief Vic Network
• To undertake specific projects (eg: compiling a directory)
• To gain media support for our work in emergency relief

We can always provide information as to where our clients can access other services.

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Emergency Housing

Facts

• Accommodation can be provided for families facing imminent homelessness.
• Our aim is to allow vulnerable families both an escape from a crisis and the opportunity to plan for their future. These very distressed families have time to recover from physical and mental stress, and also work with a supportive staff for the next stage of their lives.
• Data from major welfare agencies tells us that domestic violence is of major concern in this State. The number of inquiries we receive is overwhelming.
• One in 5 women is affected by family violence.
• Family violence has a devastating impact on its victims in the broader community.
• Family violence is the leading contributor to death, disability and illness in Victoria, with women aged between 15 - 44.
• It is a factor in 52% of substantial child protective cases. Children who witness family violence can become nervous, withdrawn, perform poorly at school, have difficulty socialising and experience a range of other developmental impacts.
• Cost to the Victorian community is estimated at $2 billion a year.

Benefits, Outputs, Outcomes

The benefits to a mother and children running from domestic violence are almost indescribable. The family can sleep at night, take care of physical needs, and not spend time looking over their shoulder.

The outputs are immediate. We assist the family to link with Centrelink re their finances, enrol the children into school, arrange for medical appointments and make contact with other support persons or agencies.

The outcomes can be quite dramatic. A family removed from a crisis, re-housing, re-settled and facing a new future. Our staff assist in the planning process for this outcome.

Contact details

For more information, please contact our Social Worker at our office by visiting our Contact Us page.

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Southern Emergency Relief Network - SERN

SERN was formed in 2003 in response to many Agencies' concerns regarding the issue of Emergency Relief. In 2007, we are still concerned at the 2 million Australians, a ratio of 1 in 10, still living in poverty. (figures supplied by A.C.O.S.S. - Aug 2007)

Families in receipt of Centrelink payments are living below the poverty line and not managing to meet the basic of needs. The June 2008 quarterly issue of "Poverty Lines" published by Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, University of Melbourne, shows that a family of 4 (2 adults & 2 children) receives a Centrelink payment of $623.69 per week whilst the poverty line is at $714.27 per week. These families continue to use our services.

SERN provides a unique networking and co-ordinating role amongst local emergency relief and welfare agencies that is essential for the ongoing effectiveness of the service. In addition, this can lead to identifying changing needs and demands to which services can respond, and to developing ways in which agencies can work towards reducing the need for emergency relief. Networking also plays an important role in improving the access of clients to services.

SERN produces a Directory each year of agencies and the services they provide to families in need of emergency relief. These Directories are available to family support agencies and organisations such as Centrelink.

Why have an Emergency Relief Network?

• To provide emergency relief providers in the Southern Metropolitan area with opportunities for mutual support
• To encourage information sharing between service providers for mutual benefit (eg identifying funding opportunities)
• To identify community needs and issues (in the emergency relief area) and represent client's interests to government policy makers and other key bodies
• To represent the needs and interests of our organisations and services to funding bodies and policy makers
• To link services in with other networks via membership of the central Emergency Relief Vic Network
• To undertake specific projects (eg: compiling a directory)
• To gain media support for our work in emergency relief

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