Dear Friends of the EMC

As we enter winter, it’s heart-warming to see so much ongoing support for our guests from the Canberra community. Already we have received donations of hand-knitted beanies, mittens and scarves as well as warm clothes including jackets and socks. Our thanks to Enid, Pam, the Phoenix Knitters and Mobilise.

We have also been fortunate to receive donations of food for our food parcels and for our breakfasts and lunches. Thanks to Garry for his pumpkins, Ainslie Bakehouse for donating bread and rolls when requested, OzHarvest and HelpingACT for their ongoing donations. Given the rising cost of food, this is a great support for our budget.

Seated breakfasts have recommenced, and guests and volunteers are enjoying the opportunity this time offers for companionship and more relaxed hospitality. Takeaway breakfasts are still being provided as some guests prefer this format while flu and covid are still very present. Of course, we remain open for seven days a week and the Community Hub is as busy as ever.

Recently, the staff were very encouraged this to receive this message:

“I wanted to give you some feedback about the EMC…

There is a homeless chap who often sits outside [redacted] asking for support. I had a conversation with him this morning and asked him if he had heard of the EMC. He said that he didn't know where he would be without the EMC and greatly valued being able to have a shower there and a good breakfast. He appreciated being able to use the computers at the EMC to try and find work.

You and all the people involved in the EMC are to be congratulated on a great job which makes such a difference to so many lives. Well done!”

End of Financial Year appeal

As I am sure you all know, the end of the financial year is fast approaching. As our fundraising program is still constrained by ongoing covid and flu concerns, we are asking for your generosity in supporting us. All donations are tax deductible. Should you feel able to make a donation to the EMC, please see the options below.

ONLINE

Click here to make a secure online donation.

Please note you will be directed to the Hands Across Canberra website to make a secure online donation. Please then click ‘Donate’, select the amount and frequency, then select ‘The Early Morning Centre – UnitingCare Canberra City’ from the drop-down list.

CHEQUE

Cheques made out to 'UnitingCare Canberra City' may be sent to GPO Box 1526, Canberra City ACT 2601.

DIRECT BANK TRANSFER

Account name: UnitingCare Canberra City
BSB: 634 634
Account number: 100 040 612
Reference: Please include your surname as the reference and email us with the amount and your details so we can send you a tax receipt.

How your donation helps

• $10 pays for coffee for 20 people

• $20 provides phone and internet for a week

• $50 pays for breakfast for 10 people

• $100 provides fresh towels for a week

• $250 pays for 25 emergency food packs

Feel Good Feed

We would like to thank the below organisations, community groups and individuals for cooking lunch for EMC guests:

• 16 March lunch – Canberra Consulting

• 20 April Easter lunch – Egyptian Coptic Church

• 27 April lunch – Delani and Nishan, in memory of Augustine

Get involved

You don’t need to be a master chef to take part in the Feel Good Feed program, our guests appreciate the thought and care that goes into a home-cooked meal.

If you would like to get involved in the Feel Good Feed program, please contact our events coordinator, Cherie, on 6247 5041 or via emcevents@canberracityuca.org.au.

Non-Event fundraiser

The results are in from our second annual Non-Event fundraiser...

Thanks to the support of our event participants, along with the donations matched by the Hands Across Canberra #HandsUp4CBR Giving Day appeal, we exceeded our goal and raised just over $12,000! This is a fantastic help to our organisation.

We’re planning to run the event again next year, keep an eye out for details.

Safe Shelter ACT update

Unfortunately, Safe Shelter ACT, a shelter for men experiencing homelessness, will not be reopening, after operating every winter between 2013 and 2019. However, there are alternative shelters, Ainslie Lodge for men and McKillop House for women.

There is a silver lining as Safe Shelter are donating the remainder of their funds to the EMC. We would like to thank the volunteers of Safe Shelter for their hard work and dedication to providing a safe place for Canberra men experiencing homelessness, and for their incredible donation to the Early Morning Centre.

Recent events

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

• National Sorry Day BBQ for guests

• National Volunteer Week volunteer celebration

• Pets in the Park Canberra 5th birthday celebration

• Easter Lunch provided by the Egyptian Coptic Church

• Harmony Day BBQ for guests

Pets in the Park 5th birthday celebration at the April vet clinic

Welcome back to these regulars

We are pleased to welcome back our regular visiting services.

Dr Kim Huynh, Lecturer in Politics and International Relations at the ANU, runs a weekly current affairs discussion group covering the ACT, Australia and the world.

Feros Care provides NDIS assistance each Thursday.

The volunteer hairdresser from Hair Aid has been very popular with guests needing a haircut.

Mobilise volunteers set up a clothing stall during the colder months with free warm winter clothes.

ADACAS provides information and assistance navigating the My Aged Care scheme.

CAHMA and The Connection run Naloxone Overdose Response workshops where attendees learn how to spot an overdose and how to respond using CPR and Naloxone.

Each Monday, Canberra Community Law attends the EMC for the Street Law outreach program, providing free legal advice for our guests.

Catholic Care Axial program provides housing support, as does the Vinnie’s Street to Home outreach program.

Warm thanks to these autumn supporters

Over the past three months, we have been very fortunate to receive a number of generous donations of food, clothing, funds and other goods from individuals, charities, community organisations and local businesses.

We receive regular donations of food from HelpingACT, and they also recently made a huge donation of blankets, scarves, beanies, gloves and socks.

We received an incredible donation of $10,000 from the Tall Foundation and Capital Chemist.

Canberra Consulting contributed $2,000 for us to replace our old sanitiser.

Mark from Capital Chem-Dry donated camping mats and blow-up mattresses.

We had the pleasure of meeting a lovely 6-year-old young lady when she and her family popped in to donate 40 Easter bunnies for our guests. And we were delighted to see her again when she returned a few weeks later to donate some food.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints donated food from a BBQ.

Delani and Nishan cooked a delicious lunch of Sri Lanka curry chicken with rice and brownies, in memory of Augustine.

We received a huge donation of warm beanies from Enid.

Ngunnawal street pantry donated these delicious pastries.

We received these lovely hand-made, warm knitted items from Pam.

Garry Robinson donated the delicious-looking pumpkins.

We received these hand-made scarves and mittens from the Phoenix Knitters.

And of course, we greatly appreciate our long-term supporters such as Bakehouse Canberra at Ainslie, Capitol Chilled Foods, Brumby’s Bakery at Lyneham, Canberra Consulting, the Tall Foundation and Capital Chemist, HelpingACT and OzHarvest.

To see the full list of our sponsors and supporters, many of whom have been involved with the EMC for years, please visit our website.

Thank you!