The luncheon held on Wednesday, March 15 included guest speaker state Member for Shepparton Kim O’Keeffe, who attended the presentation of proceeds to the CCS.
CCS program co-ordinator Dianne Daws said the donation would go towards purchasing two prams for newborns, which would then be sent out to the community to be used until the baby reached six months. The pram would then be returned to the CCS to be redistributed.
The society provides local parents with free material needs they may require for raising a baby. Members pride themselves on being able to provide a place for parents to come that is safe, non-judgmental, friendly and confidential.
Mrs Daws said the community needed the society’s services to provide that space for struggling parents.
“In the Shepparton community, it’s hard,” she said.
“We have a lot of migrants (on) bridging visas and aren’t able to access Centrelink. While pregnant they can’t work so they can’t support themselves.
“They feel embarrassed, as they think they should be able to do it themselves.”
A parent may not be able to support their family for a number of reasons, and the CCS has helped someone in almost every situation.
“Single mums, family violence, homelessness, couch surfing, all while pregnant and doing it alone, we end up developing a family-like connection with them,” Mrs Daws said.
The society is not receiving any government funding, so grants and donations are its only funding.
“We are trying to fill in the gaps in government funding. We provide material aid and also steer women towards other support systems,” Mrs Daws said.
The donation was not expected by the society.
“It was a wonderful surprise. We were all overwhelmed with the generosity and kindness of this lovely group of ladies,” Mrs Daws said.
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