Friends of the EMC Spring Newsletter

Jazz in the Garden is back!

Yes, our popular Spring event will return this year on Saturday 15 October from 2pm to 4pm in Donna Stewart’s beautiful spring garden.

The gates will open at 2pm and the band will play from 2.30pm. Tea, coffee and afternoon tea will be provided however you are welcome to bring other drinks to enjoy. Some seats will be available as well as a lovely grassed area for a rug. Folding chairs are welcome.

Tickets are $25 and payable at the gate by cash or cheque. As usual 100% of the funds raised will go to the EMC.

This year Geoff Page will be joined in his Charity Jazz Band by eight other musicians so there’ll be plenty of good music to enjoy.

You can find more information on our website. We hope to see you there!

The EMC is 17

In July we celebrated the 17th anniversary of the the official opening of the Early Morning Centre! In the last 17 years, we have grown from a small early morning breakfast centre to a thriving community hub providing essential facilities, services, support and community activities, focusing on the individual needs of our guests.

At the EMC, our guests are provided with a place where they feel safe and respected, where they have a voice and can be heard, where they are part of a community that supports them.

At this time last year we received funding from the ACT Government for a 12-month trial to extend our opening hours to 7 days a week. Despite the challenges of COVID, the weekend opening has been a great success and we are pleased to announce that the trial has been extended for another 12 months. Thanks to the ACT Government for their support.

United Arab Emirates Embassy visit

Recently we were delighted to receive a visit from the United Arab Emirates Embassy. Thank you UAE Embassy Australia for visiting and for your generous donation of $1,500! This money will help replenish the emergency food parcels that each guest may receive once a week.

Feel Good Feed

We’ve been fortunate to have ongoing supporter, Helping ACT, taking part in the Feel Good Feed program, cooking lunch for EMC guests on 29 June and for Homelessness Week on 1 August.

Helping ACT will also be cooking Feel Good Feed lunches on 12 September, 10 October for World Homeless Day, and 14 November. In addition to the lunches, Helping ACT are providing monthly BBQ dinners on Friday nights outside the EMC.

Recent events & activities

We have been very busy with events and activities for our guests.

• NAIDOC Week BBQ for guests in July

• Pets in the Park vet clinics in June, July and August

• Homelessness Week lunch provided by Helping ACT in August

• Hair Aid haircuts in June

• Mobilise Clothing Stall in July

Warm thanks to these winter supporters

The EMC is fortunate to be strongly supported by the Canberra community in many diverse ways. Over the last three months, supporters have appeared with donations of lasagnes, chocolate and blankets, and gift cards. Over winter we have received the following donations:

Thanks to Construction Control for building new storage in two cramped and crowded areas, making this limited space far more usable.

Construction Control also donated food and drinks for a Friday BBQ in July.

Thanks to Betsy from ThinkPlace for this delicious donation of wraps, salads, fruits salads, banana bread and muffins.

Thanks to John for this donation of home-made scarves, and thanks to John's carer for driving him to the EMC to drop off the donation. This is the second year in a row that John has knitted scarves for our guests.

Thanks to the Mothers' Union Australia Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn for this fantastic donation of new toiletries for our guests.

Thanks to the Yarralumla Uniting Church for this great donation of food.

Thanks to XTM for their huge donation of warm winter coats as part of their ‘Heat the Homeless’ initiative. (Below are just a couple of the many coats that were donated.)

Thanks to Druen from Hawker College for donating 5 trays of sandwiches.

Thanks to IRT Kangara Waters for again supporting the EMC through their annual Winter Warmers Sale. We were delighted to receive the proceeds as well as the remaining scarves and beanies from the sale.

Thanks to Ngunnawal Street Pantries for their delicious ongoing donations.

Thanks to Hands Across Canberra for providing funds for a new fridge, through the Chief Minister’s Charitable Fund Canberra Foundations Collective grant round.

Thanks to the Country Women’s Association for donating soup and slices.

Thanks to the Majura Football Club for donating these delightfully decorated cupcakes.

Thanks to Rhythm Snowsports for this donation of over 20 waterproof and insulated snow jackets.

For a full list of all our sponsors and supporters, many of whom - such as Brumbies Bakery and Capitol Chilled Foods - have been involved with the EMC for years, you can visit our website.

Ongoing financial support is always welcome

Should you feel able to make a donation to the Early Morning Centre, our bank account details are as follows:

Account name: UnitingCare Canberra City

BSB: 634 634

Account number: 100040612

Reference: your surname

To receive a tax receipt, please email us at emc@canberracityuca.org.au with your details and the amount donated.

Alternatively, you can make a secure online donation via the Hands Across Canberra website (please then click “Donate” and select “The Early Morning Centre – UnitingCare Canberra City” from the drop-down list).

All donations are tax deductible and greatly appreciated.

Thank you!