Restoring Lives. Transforming Communities.
Through mission and development, we engage with communities from the understanding that poverty is in its self a symptom of a much deeper root cause — that of brokenness, inequality and lack of peace in foundational relationships God created us to enjoy.
We connect with our local communities in places such as schools, universities, or our own community resource centers. Recognising the struggle of communities beyond our borders, we partner with grass root organisations and local leaders, to see those that we walk alongside free from poverty and oppression.
What We Do
Building connection to prevent isolation and improve mental health for university students through a variety of social events.
Kids Hope is Australia’s largest early intervention, school-based mentoring program for children experiencing vulnerability. We train and send mentors into a local primary school for weekly one-on-one sessions.
Providing a positive peer presence in alcohol-fuelled environments where young people gather, educating them on safe partying behaviours, and promoting fun, alcohol-free activities in these places. Currently in university social gatherings and campuses, and music festivals.
These weekly sessions are full of fun songs and rhymes, dancing and movement, designed to engage children and adults alike. Designed for children from newborn to pre-school, we have a music session, delicious morning tea and free play.
Wednesdays at 10:30am during school terms.
These weekly sessions are full of fun songs and rhymes, dancing and movement, designed to engage children and adults alike. Designed for children from newborn to pre-school, we have a music session, snack time and free play.
Wednesdays from 10am–11:30am during school term
Connecting with students by serving a pancake breakfast.
Fridays 7:45am – 8:45am during school term
Providing grocery assistance, pre-prepared meals, morning tea and coffee and a fun relational environment.
Fridays from 10am-12:30pm
Providing fresh fruit and vegetables to our families free of charge, in partnership with Foodbank Victoria.
First Thursday of every month from 10am-12:30pm
Offering a free two-course Community Christmas Dinner for those who are isolated or vulnerable, with carols and gifts.
Working with various community groups to provide ready-made frozen meals and grocery hampers for those seeking short-term food relief.
Supporting university students by handing out water at parties, cooking pancakes at game nights and other random acts of kindness to help students during their studies.
Sundays 6:30pm-late
In partnership with Kingston High School, providing students with a fun space and a tasty meal before class.
Fridays from 8am-9am.
A welcoming and inclusive space that offers a variety of programs aimed at helping our community overcome various disadvantages that lead to increased vulnerability and social isolation.
A community ‘BYO Craft’ group with a difference. Discover new crafts, develop new skills and make lasting friendships.
Fridays 7pm -10pm
Full of fun songs and rhymes, dancing and movement, designed to engage children and adults alike. From newborn to pre-school aged children, there’s a music session, snack time, free play, and coffee for adults.
Fridays 10:30am during school terms
Free English Classes for people from any background with any level of English. Highly relational, encouraging and inclusive, this program is run in partnership with Dandenong Neighbourhood House.
Tuesdays & Fridays 10am-2pm during school terms
A fun, inclusive and highly relational playgroup that provides a space for little people to learn and grow with structured craft, song and story time. A great space for parents, carers and grandparents to connect.
Tuesdays 9:30am-11am during school terms
A fun, technical and accessible dance program, providing safe and encouraging dance programs for all ages and levels. A variety of styles are taught across classes including ballet, contemporary, hip-hop, musical theatre and jazz.
Mondays
3-5 year olds: 5pm-6pm
6-9 year olds: 5:45pm-6:45pm
10-13 year olds: 5:45pm-6:45pm
14-18 year olds: 6:45pm-8:15pm
Adults: 8pm-9pm
Our community cafe is open for free hot drinks, morning tea and friendship. If you need help with food and household items, then you can choose from free items in our pantry, including fruit and vegetables. A boutique shop with a range of quality recycled clothes and shoes is also available for gold coin prices.
Fridays from 9:30am-1pm
Full of fun songs and rhymes, dancing and movement, designed to engage children and adults alike. For children from newborn to pre-school, there’s a music session, snack time and free play.
Wednesdays from 10:00am during school term
Cost: $5 per child or $7 per family
Providing food packs for those facing financial, emotional or relational pressures.
Helping the students in one of the local primary schools be well-fed and ready to learn before their school day starts.
In partnership with the Sunbury Heights Primary School, we volunteer and serve the school children breakfast every Wednesday morning during the school term.
Every Wednesday fortnight, we provide food relief packs to those in our community who are vulnerable and in urgent need of food.
Our Campaigns
Collective 61
Collective 61 partners with organisations and leaders on the ground who are committed to strengthening families at risk of exploitation and separation.
True Religion
Each year we invite you to get involved in our True Religion initiative, a special part of our Christmas.
How Can I Contribute?
Pray
Prayer is foundational to everything we do and ensures we remain in step with God’s plans and purpose. Partner with Communities by praying regularly for our teams and initiatives.
Give
By partnering financially, you are positioning our teams and partners to be vehicles and influencers of change in their area of service. Contribute to various initiatives through a regular financial partnership or a once off donation. Enjoy Communities bank details are: Bank: NAB BSB: 083 437 Account Number: 553596334
Serve
Join one of our local communities teams or apply to be part of a short-term trip.
Community Values
The end goal of each of our community initiatives is not for ‘initiatives or partnerships’ to become a place of exchange of ‘goods & services’ but instead for each one to become highly relational by nature.
Through the vehicle of ‘relationship’ our hope is to see transformation realized in four relational areas
- Relationship to God (which is the Spiritual)
- Relationship within self (this is the emotional, & psychological)
- Relationship with each-other (representing the social – and how we relate to those around us)
- Relationship with creation (this is how we relate to and steward the earth’s resources and our own gifts and talents)
We are totally committed to good stewardship…with each and every opportunity God gives us.
Our motivation is not about building our brand but always centered on what is in the best interest of those we are serving…and most importantly the community as a whole.
Our response to need is not based on presumptions but on informed knowledge. We have a strong and ongoing commitment to learn about the communities around us and be willing to adjust our responses as required.
Our emphasis is not on size – but on effectiveness!
Our effectiveness will be determined by our commitment to identify and design our responses to root causes, and not the more obvious symptoms of them.
Whether it be in our local communities or in our global ones – our vision is to see each of those we walk alongside – set free from the pulls of poverty and oppression and empowered to regain control of their own lives.
The challenges in our local and international communities are both enormous and complex…but it is our faith in God and our understanding of His call on our lives that drives us to attempt great things for Him…that would otherwise be beyond us.
Our teams and those we partner with are all passionate about people discovering the fullness of ‘life’ that is only found when they meet Jesus.
