b'Our work with individuals We believe everyone deserves to live and feel well. Through Advancing Me, participants get education Our services help people navigate theirand support, helping them strengthen their mind, present and plan for their futurewhateverbody, finances and connections. their age or background.Working together, individually and in smallOffering safe spaces and a listening ear, wegroups, the program ran for 12 weeks acrosssupport individuals with:4 Melbourne locations.Mental health - Building skills andDespite COVID-19 complications, Advancingboosting confidence, our teams connectMe provided wellness support to more thanpersonally in the community to support30 participants. As a result: individual needs18 moved from preparation (not ready to Alcohol and other drug use - Specialisedwork) to engaged (need moderate support) support to improve wellbeing 11 moved from engaged to active (ready Emergency relief - Providing meals,for work) material aid, affordable housing and 6 moved into employment or education financial independence training, we are here to help people get back on their feet 2 began work experience. Employment - With specialised training,Finding a new lease on lifejob opportunities and networks, more people can access meaningful work The Victorian Governments From HomelessnessReconnecting with the past - People withto a Home initiative builds on work begun in the ties to out-of-home care services providedpandemic, finding motel accommodation for by the former Presbyterian, Methodist orpeople experiencing homelessness. This $7.3M Uniting Churches in Victoria can betteradditional funding will mean we can locateunderstand their past. more long-term affordable housing options forour community.The process is simple. Uniting signs a lease for Wellness for thosethe property, providing more affordable housing without wages to participants. The tenant signs a lease through us, using 25% of their income for rentwe cover For vulnerable people in our community,the rest.unemployment can be devastating - leading Once a home is found, Unitings support is to a vicious cycle, making securing work available for up to 18 months. more complicated because of a reducedsense of wellbeing.So far, the program has housed 188 people Research shows that the process of securingotherwise unable to secure a safe space to income support can directly increase stress levels.live, across the Victorian regions of Central Our teams set out to find new ways of providingHighlands, Western district, East Metro services - while still supporting mental health. Melbourne and Gippsland. 22 Uniting Vic.Tas Annual Report 2020-2021'