Uniting Communities News


Welcome to the first edition of UConnect for 2016. We hope that you have enjoyed a peaceful, enjoyable start to the new year.


This year is shaping up to be a promising one for Uniting Communities. Already, we have celebrated our carbon neutral accreditation, a first for a South Australian based organisation and for a charity in Australia.


The achievement not only reflects our long-term commitment to reducing our carbon footprint, but also provides an opportunity to highlight the effect that climate change will have on our clients – people who are among the most disadvantaged in our community.


We are proud that the significant savings achieved throughout the process of becoming carbon neutral – more than $1 million over the five years we’ve been running the program – will be invested back into our core work of providing essential services to support people in South Australia.


We are also embarking on the first stages of our Pitt and Franklin Street redevelopment in the coming months, where we will be transforming our head office site into a modern mixed-use develop- ment to serve the South Australian community.


This project will carry forward our commitment to carbon neutrality, showcasing sustainability from all angles and aiming to achieve a high- level building rating.


I look forward to sharing more news with you throughout the year as this exciting project progresses.


The work we do at Uniting Communities is firmly underpinned by our belief that strong, supportive communities build strong individuals.


Our service provision, advocacy and community engagement work have been designed to deliver on this commitment as we strive to support people to participate and flourish.


But we couldn’t achieve our vision without the generosity, commitment and faith of you, our valued supporter.


Your contributions are made in many ways – perhaps in the form of gifts for our appeals or via regular giving, or maybe through offering your time as a volunteer. Your workplace may be providing in-kind or financial support to Uniting Communities.


Last year, we were heartened by the tremendous support we received for services such as Lifeline Adelaide and Rubys – services which assist people who are often at their lowest point.


Your help and the support of the broader community made a real difference. Because of you, more Lifeline Adelaide volunteers will receive specialist training and more calls for help will be answered. More fami- lies will have the chance to resolve relationship chal- lenges and reunite through the Rubys program.


More people will have the opportunity to live the best lives they can.


However you are serving Uniting Communities, thank you. We are grateful for your belief in and support of our work.


Simon Schrapel Chief Executive


Reverend Peter McDonald Minister


Front cover:


Baristas Charlie, left, and Charlene at Aboriginal Community Connect’s pop-up café in Prospect.


UConnect


Written and produced by Uniting Communities 10 Pitt Street, Adelaide SA 5000 Ph: 08 8202 5110 marketingandcomms@unitingcommunities.org


Uniting Communities is an agency of the Uniting Church in Australia.


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