b"Inspiring people Find connectionsMy son struggles socially so the outings with other families helped him connect with other from the past children his age, Jaymee-Lee said.Our Heritage Service team provides a valuableThe program and the team have helped me service which supports people in understandingbuild confidence in being my sons first teacher their own, or a family member's past.and having the knowledge about different This year we held reunions for people wholearning styles.stayed at the boys home, Tally Ho, as well as the No matter what age, ability, gender expression or stage of life, were herechildrens home, Orana, both in Burwood. TheseFire & Clay holiday programfor people to help overcome challenges and build a brighter future. events provided the opportunity for people, andThis year our social enterprise Fire & Clay ran a their families, to share their memories, and toschool holiday program where students aged 5-17 reflect on how they came to be the people theyyears could create their own artwork. They hosted Making a difference forare today. two 2-hour workshops: the first where students We believe in a world where everyone has thecreated their own pottery pieces, and a second In early 2024, The Age, ABC Radio Melbourne, and right to live their life to the fullest potential.people escaping violence Channel 9 News shared the story of our discoverysession to decorate and fire their creation.Where everyone can participate in societyUniting has delivered the Escaping Violenceof 4,000 photos of the babies from the MethodistFacilitating the program themselves has led to and is treated with respect.Payment (EVP) trial program for the past threeBabies Home in Camberwell. Taken against thetremendous growth in Fire & Clay employees Uniting works with people experiencingyears. In that time weve supported thousands ofrules by the mothercraft nurses, these preciousconfidence, with many building skills such as vulnerability, marginalisation or disadvantagepeople re-establish a life free from family violencebaby photos are now finding their way into thepublic speaking, controlling their anxiety and so they can access the fundamentals inthrough the financial assistance, confidentialgrateful hands of dozens of adopted people.working with children.lifelike housing, early education andsupport, and connection to services. Jennifer Catlin, who is featured in some of theThe young people also gain a lot from this employment. We work to inspire people,Peoples journeys of intimate family violence arephotographs from when she was a toddler, saidprogram, with many returning each holiday enliven communities and confront injustice. unique but at the centre is behaviour that coerces,seeing her photos was transformative. period. It's an inclusive program, which is controls or causes a person to be afraid.It can transform someones life, because whenattended by a wide mix of people both livingyou havent had photos, if youve been adopted orwith and without disabilities.The EVP program offers up to $5000 in assistance Catalyst launch in Tasmania for individuals who have left a violent situation.lose your parents early, youve got nothing to hangSupported employee, Monica says she loves seeing Since its launch in Victoria, the CatalystThe underlying principle is to enable peopleyour hat onno memories. the same children returning to the program.rehabilitation program has supported over 1000to have control over their lives, and choice inFind out more It makes me happy and boosts my confidence people to develop motivation and resilience decisions that affect their lives.and I feel proud of my abilities to teach them to cut down or give up alcohol or other drugs In thanking a staff member at the service, oneabout clay and painting.and reconnect with a healthy and more balanced lifestyle.consumer said she felt the effects of the supportGiving Gippsland families In November 2023, a Catalyst program pilotshe received would be long-lasting. a love of learningFind out morecommenced in Tasmania, with support from theShe provided compassionate and professional North Hobart congregation to run the five-weekservice and helped me think and talk throughThe Home Interaction Program for Parents and program out of the Uniting Church on Swanwhat I needed and what would best help me inYoungsters (HIPPY) program engages families and Street. The non-residential group day program a difficult time. The receiving of the paymentchildren aged 4-5 years in early childhood literacy is a unique and complementary offering thathas helped me to pay off debts, resettle in aand school readiness. supports current Alcohol and Other Drug servicesnew home, book in confirmed therapy for 12An early childhood enrichment program, HIPPY delivered by other organisations in the state.months and ultimately gain some more financialalso works with parents of young children in independence after the abuse. I believe theseisolated and disadvantaged communities. Using Since the program commenced in Hobart, effects will be lasting. a peer education model, parents tutor parents to 73% of participants recorded a reduction ofequip them with the skills, resources and materials psychological distress between the start andFind out more about EVP services they need to prepare children for school and completion of the program.support this transition. Ive been struggling with addiction for 20 plusOne such parent is Jaymee-Lee McIntosh in East years, and [the program] is like magic. Some ofGippsland. When her son Jamie was struggling my family relationships suffered from my abuse,with his speech, she wanted him to have access to and because of this program, theyve noticedmore than just speech therapy, and so she turned a difference and our relationships are growingto her local HIPPY program, of which Uniting is the againa Catalyst Hobart participant. facilitating partner.Find out more While we were doing speech therapy, we were also using the resources the program and the team provided to help strengthen the work we were doing. 18 Uniting Vic.Tas and Uniting Housing Annual Report Uniting Vic.Tas and Uniting Housing Annual Report 19"