Media Release by The Hon Mark Butler MP and The Hon Melissa Parke MP

SA charity wins Homelessness Award

Joint Media Release with:

  • The Hon Mark Butler MP
    Minister for Mental Health and Ageing
    Minister for Housing and Homelessness
    Minister for Social Inclusion
    Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Mental Health Reform

  • The Hon Melissa Parke MP
    Parliamentary Secretary for Homelessness and Social Housing
    Parliamentary Secretary for Mental Health

Catherine House, Adelaide, was today awarded with a National Homelessness Services Achievement Award in recognition of its tireless work to prevent and tackle homelessness.

Minister for Housing and Homelessness, Mark Butler and Parliamentary Secretary for Homelessness and Social Housing, Melissa Parke today presented Catherine House with the Award for Excellence in supporting pathways to employment or education for its WorkNext Services Education and Employment Program.

“The WorkNext Services Education and Employment Program stood out for helping vulnerable women get training and work through its courses and support,” Mr Butler said.

“I congratulate Catherine House for the innovative tailored curriculum and individual support and employment opportunities WorkNext provides.

Mr Butler said the program is dedicated to educating women in Adelaide and supporting them out of homelessness.

“By providing support right through the job process, this program is helping women build a better future for themselves and their children,” Mr Butler said.

“Not only is this program helping participants get into work, it is having a flow-on effect to their children who see the benefits of education and work.

“Thanks to the commitment of Catherine House, vulnerable women in Adelaide have someone to turn to when they need it the most.”

Ms Parke said while the last Census showed a 13 per cent drop in the rate of people sleeping rough or in improvised dwellings, far too many Australians still don’t have a place to call home every night.

“This Government has made tackling homelessness a national priority, and is committed to halving the overall rate of homelessness by 2020,” Ms Parke said.

“But we are not doing it alone-every day, thousands of services are on the ground helping people get back on their feet.

“This year’s Awards shine a light on the tremendous work these compassionate and dedicated service providers, like Catherine House, do for some of our community’s most vulnerable people.

“I thank all those who have nominated a service or organisation in the 2013 National Homelessness Services Achievement Awards.

“Congratulations to Catherine House for receiving this well-deserved award for its WorkNext Services Education and Employment program.”

For more information go to www.fahcsia.gov.au/homelessnessawards