Support is on hand

Rockingham’s Coastal District Care Centre celebrated its first birthday late last month.

The centre supplies food parcels and support to the homeless and those facing extreme financial hardship in the city.

Chairwoman Jill Harris started the organisation after Anglicare Emergency Relief lost its funding and said it was an avenue that people in the area needed.

“It’s important because there are people who are struggling in all different ways, the relief we see on their faces — I’ve had people burst into tears because there is somebody who cares for them,” she said.

“Everything we have in here is donated to us — we provide clothing, food hampers and Terry White vouchers for medication.”

Ms Harris has been involved in helping those in need for the past 12 years after needing to use a similar service herself.

“I must admit it happened to me 30 years ago, I was a mum with three kids on my own, my friend took me to Anglicare — I’m now giving back to the community that helped me,” she said.

The organisation operates with a committee of five along with 20 volunteers and has helped 2000 people in the past 12 months.

“We’re going strong and we’re going to continue on and hopefully the next year will be just as successful as this year,” Ms Harris said.

The centre is open on Monday and Friday from 9am to 11am and is always open to donations.

For more information, contact 0412 989 037.