5 November 2007

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

The Dingley Village Community Advice Bureau (DVCAB) has a unique historical heritage of advocacy in social / community reforms, innovations in social planning and welfare, and is a pioneer for many current practices in community programs. The people of Dingley Village and surrounding districts would suffer immensely if these various social activities, programs and processing of social welfare needs were severely curtailed due to lack of funding.

As a Pastor of our church for nearly 25 years, my association and involvement with the DVCAB has stemmed over some 20 years, actively liaising as an auxiliary in coordinated community ventures. Throughout this time many reciprocal benefits have been utilised between the Bureau and myself.

Together, much more has been achieved than if I did not have access to the resources and programs offered by the DVCAB. Referrals for assistance and maintaining up to date inventory for the assessing of needs and professional personnel available for serious and crisis situations have been provided by the friendly, caring and conscientious staff at the DVCAB.

The DVCAB not only renders practical assistance, such as the food pantry service, which caters for many desperate low income families, but has created programs and procedures for the enhancement of personal improvement skills / education of many people in our region seeking help. Family counselling and support groups, self assertion, “Skills for Growing” and positive parenting programs and personal budgeting are a few of the issues handled by the DVCAB where people can gain life changing competencies.

The ramifications of insufficient funding for such an organisation, as established at Dingley Village, would impinge greatly upon the already stretched State welfare resources.

It is with the above in mind that I highly recommend and support their application for funding for such an indispensable Dingley Village Community Advice Bureau.

Yours sincerely

Constantine Giovas Pastor