Aboriginal Projects
2006 Aboriginal Projects
Working with Aboriginal Families
In working with disadvantaged families, St Joseph’s Family Care Centre in South Australia have found that Aboriginal children who are provided with material assistance to equip themselves for school are more likely to attend and participate in school life.
A project initiated by the Centre and funded by the Mary MacKillop Foundation provided educational and recreational resources to Indigenous children of homeless families. These children are often poverty stricken and arrive with few possessions. The project equipped them with a school pack consisting of school bag, stationary and hat. They were also provided with creche and after school programmes and, if needed, a compulsory uniform for high school.
The project worked in conjunction with other services and supports at the Centre. The combined impact was aimed at improving family functioning and relationship, resulting in improved feelings of self worth, breaking the cycle of welfare dependency and allowing participation in the local and wider community.
In a State where Indigenous homelessness is almost ten times higher than the overall rate, St Joseph’s Family Care Centre – in the spirit of Mary MacKillop – is providing material assistance and supportive programmes to enable families to take control of their lives and make informed decisions. Their children’s participation at school strengthens the family by providing structure to daily living.
Naomi Knight
Senior Social Worker
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