Copy
View this email in your browser
The Early Morning Centre - Canberra City - Addressing Issues of Homelessness
Addressing issues of homelessness

In this update

Welcome

The Early Morning Centre has had a busy start to the new year with a number of new programs starting alongside our regular activities. These activities have been enabled by money raised last year by our volunteer, Malcolm, and his two friends who cycled from Perth to Tathra. Their epic ride "Breaking the Cycle" raised nearly $30,000 for the work of the EMC.

Recipe for Success

The first "Recipe for Success" cooking class was held in February. These fortnightly classes involve learning about hygiene and safety in the kitchen, understanding the nutritional qualities of the individual ingredients and then having a hands-on experience preparing and cooking the food.

Italian chicken was the first dish on the menu. It tasted great, can be created on a low budget and was extremely popular with all who participated. Our guests also enjoyed sharing the extra food with their friends.

A recipe book will be compiled at the end of the project that will include recipes used, information on nutrition and photos and quotes from guests who have participated in the classes.

The Mobile Dental Van has arrived!

ACT Dental has a new Mobile Dental Van which will be located at the EMC on a Monday and Tuesday each fortnight. The first visit from this van was very popular and the guests who attended were very happy to have long standing dental issues resolved or at least have their resolution started.

The EMC is immensely grateful to ACT Dental Health for providing this vital service on site for our guests. Many of them have not had the opportunity to see a dentist for years and have been suffering with pain and discomfort.

We look forward to having a long-standing relationship with the dental van so we can ensure all our current and future guests have the opportunity to have their dental needs met.

Computer classes

The other new addition to the EMC calendar of activities is the weekly Thursday computer class. There have been three to six attendees at each class where lessons in setting up emails, how to do internet searches and a variety of other computer skills have been taught.

The topics covered are being tailored to individual needs and demands. The class is using the six tablets that were purchased last year from funds provided by Hands Across Canberra. In addition to the tablets, six keyboards and a matching mouse for each were purchased using funds raised from the cycle ride.

Crisis food packs

Every day these crisis food packs are handed out to guests who request them. Guests are able to access one pack a week.

An easy way to support the EMC is to add some of these items to your weekly shopping then drop them into the EMC.

  • Cup of noodles - 70 grams
  • Small tin of tuna - 95 grams
  • Single pack of sultanas - 40 grams
  • Can of baked beans - 300 grams
  • Single pack of cereal - single serve - 30 grams
  • Muesli bar - 31 grams
  • Individual fruit drink - 25 ml
  • Single serve fruit pack - 125 grams
  • Sugar free chewing gum - Aldi 22 grams or similar
  • Cup of soup - 40 grams
  • Small UHT milk - 150 ml

Raising awareness of the EMC

As part of our efforts to raise community awareness of the issues faced by people who are experiencing homeless or social isolation, our Director, Nicole Wiggins, regularly attends different organisations and speaks at their events.

Nicole recently spoke at the National Council of Australian Women ACT branch meeting about the work of the EMC and the issue of homelessness in our community. 

Pictured above is EMC Director, Nicole Wiggins, with Juanita Fleet, President of the National Council of Australian Women ACT.

Take the challenge - fundraise for the EMC

Are you planning to do something different in 2019?

Perhaps you are hoping to undertake an endurance activity such as going a month without chocolate, running a marathon, walking the Kokoda trail, swimming the English Channel or climbing a high mountain.

You can easily turn your action plans into a fundraiser for the EMC by using a website such as My Cause, Everyday Hero or Facebook. If you have any ideas, we would love to talk to you. Please click here to email Margaret.

Malcolm's epic cycling fundraiser last year was an inspiration to us all.

Help spread the word

Know someone who might be interested in learning about the EMC?

Follow the links below to forward this newsletter or share on social media.
Forward
Share
Tweet

Connect with us on Facebook

Are you on Facebook? Follow @theearlymorningcentre to make sure you are regularly updated with what’s going at the EMC! 

Facebook
Website
Email
Copyright © 2019 Early Morning Centre, All rights reserved.


Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp