CatholicCare opening new Charlestown office
This Thursday, CatholicCare Social Services will officially open a brand new disability services office at Charlestown to assist the anticipated 10,000 Hunter people with a disability who will be eligible for NDIS over the next three years.
Bishop Bill Wright will join staff, clients and carers of CatholicCare, politicians, leaders and representatives from other disability service providers for the opening and blessing of the new building at 10.30am, Hilltop Plaza Mall.
Currently people from the Newcastle LGA with an eligible disability can enter the scheme and CatholicCare's trained staff will be located directly opposite Disability Care Australia (formerly NDIS) to assist anyone who walks through the door.
CatholicCare Disability Services Manager, Lou Rak, said staff are looking forward to having the opportunity to talk with individuals and carers about their options and how CatholicCare can further assist them.
"I invite anyone who wants to drop in and have a chat with us to please do so and we'd be happy to go over our services, support and programs in more detail and see how we can assist you," she said.
Ms Rak also said the organisation is seeking to dispel the myth that services offered by CatholicCare are only available to Catholics.
"We're a proud Catholic organisation, however you don't need to be Catholic to work with, or receive assistance and support from us. Our services, including Disability Services, are open to all in the community and we really want everyone to know they're welcome,” Ms Rak said.
At the opening, Bishop Bill will also introduce newly-appointed Director of CatholicCare, Lisa Short, who has high hopes for the organisation and its future growth.
"CatholicCare (formerly Centacare) has a great reputation in the community services sector for providing more than 50 years of quality care to individuals, children, couples and their families," Mrs Short said.
"I'm absolutely delighted to be appointed to the role of Director. CatholicCare's staff deliver everything from counselling to foster care, youth services, a food van, marriage education and disability services, just to name a few. Knowing these services exist to support people in our own backyard, especially those most vulnerable, is something that as a community, we should be very proud of."
"I am looking forward to growing the organisation further and am particularly honoured to be present during the opening of our new disability services building at Charlestown. I know this is just the start of assisting even more people in our community and that's a very exciting prospect," she said.
CatholicCare will also offer counselling services from the new building.
WHAT: Official Opening and Blessing of CatholicCare's new Disability Services Office at Charlestown.
WHERE: Hilltop Plaza Mall, Shop GD, 3, 6 & 7 Hilltop Plaza Charlestown 2290 NSW.
WHEN: 10.30am, Thursday 29 August 2013.
MEDIA ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND.
