b"Our people Volunteer's fulfilmentFae was turning the corner after several years fighting cancer.Work had always been an integral part of her life, but her health had forced her into retirement, and she was feeling People are at the heart of everything we do at Uniting. Our employeesat a loss. Then the COVID-19 pandemic struck.and volunteers strive to achieve the best outcomes for the individuals,I was in a dark place, she said.families and communities we work alongside. We all felt the impact of the lockdowns, but for me, as for many, a compromised immune system made me feel Uniting Recognition Awards Collaboration like a prisoner.The winners of the team award were the KinshipBeing shut away at home really started to take itsOur Recognition Awards celebrate ourCare Team in Dandenong. They were recognisedtoll on Fae.extraordinary people who make an impactfor their passion and dedication to ensuring ourI realised that being alone with my thoughts could be dangerous for my mental health, she said.performing above and beyond in ways that inspirekinship carers and young people feel valued outstanding behaviour. These awards recogniseand supported as well as having access toHeading into the second year of the pandemic, Fae knew she had to do something.and showcase that every day our people, as bothopportunities to reach their potential. I considered volunteering and wondered if I had the strength to get out and do it. Finally,individuals and as teams, live Unitings values. I managed to contact Uniting in Grovedale.The individual award was presented to Josh Achieving our PurposeWharton, Team Leader of Navigator, an Before long, Fae was making use of her skills volunteering in Grovedales Education program.The Narre Warren Reception and Admin teamoutreach program in Outer Gippsland thatHonestly, I could literally feel the darkness begin to lift, it was an amazing gift, she said.received this team award for going abovesupports teenagers to return to education and beyond to support their teams duringand learning. Joshs compassion, curiosity, andIt may sound over the top, but it honestly saved me. It gave me back me. Its enabled me to the COVID-19 lockdowns. And for managingdedication towards young people, coupled withmake a difference again, something I had lost.donations as the drop-off hub for Food forhis leadership has seen the Navigator program Families and the Winter Appeal.achieve its biggest successes.Juelz Sanders, Case Coordinator at Street Remarkable Contributionto Home in Ballarat, received the individualThis award recognises the valuable contributionA lifetime of serviceaward for her exceptional work in collaboratingof Consumer Partners who share their expertise with consumers to deliver events duringand lived experience to help improve our service Homelessness Week 2022. These events broughtplanning, design and delivery. Amber King the community together to raise awareness ofreceived this award for her work championingFor more than 30 years, Amanda has devoted her life to supporting homelessness, and inspired action and supportour Alcohol and Other Drugs Catalyst programsome of the most vulnerable children and families.for those experiencing homelessness. and generously sharing her experience of Practice and Excellence engaging with the program. And Kit Regan wasAs a Group Manager for Child, Youth and Families with The teams from both Dana Street and Reidsawarded for their excellence in leadership andUniting working across the north of Melbourne and Guest House in Ballarat were awarded for theircommunication, as demonstrated through theirnorthern Victoria up to Shepparton and Albury-Wodonga, incredible all-team response to a late-nightcollaboration on a broad range of the Consumershes making a difference every day.incident at Reids House which displaced 40Partnership teams initiatives. Amanda and her team regularly work with those who have residents. They collaborated to find alternativeLiving our Valuesexperienced family violence or children in out-of-home care.accommodation for their consumers, while at theTwenty-one people across Uniting received thisOne of the most rewarding experiences working in this same time meeting their needs in terms of food,award, which recognises employees, volunteersindustry, is to sit with a family and to hear what their goals medication, and psychosocial support.and carers who live our values in daily practice.are and how they want to get there and then how we can Tayla Gilmour, is a Kinship Care Team Leader inThese award recipients modelled behaviours thatsupport them to do that, Amanda says.Dandenong which provides case managementbuild a safe and inclusive culture, reflecting ourLetting them see there is a way forward and then actually getting there with them and services for high risk, complex adolescents.values, and supporting the diverse and vulnerablewalking that journey and walking alongside them.Tayla received this award for her unparalleledcommunities and individuals we serve.commitment to supporting not just the youngIf someone was thinking about working in child, youth, and family services, I would people in the program but also her colleagues. recommend that they wear their heart on their sleeve and are prepared to work hard.The work isnt easy, but its very rewarding and fulfilling.30 Uniting Vic.Tas and Uniting Housing Annual Report Uniting Vic.Tas and Uniting Housing Annual Report 31"