JewishCare Sydney - JewishCare Sydney
children and family
Children Family Summary
JewishCare provides a unique and seamless range of programs that help those who are vulnerable or in crisis.
Some programs like Big Brother Big Sister and Family to Family Respite are proactive and aim to reduce the likelihood of problems occurring later in life. Others programs like Family Support and Family Dispute Resolution provide responses to immediate unforeseen problems. Programs like
Mental Health and Domestic Violence have elements of both, helping to deal with a current crisis as well as providing an ongoing framework to reduce future problems.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of JewishCare Sydney
This program aims to improve the self esteem and feelings of wellbeing of young people between the ages of 6 -15 who are experiencing a challenging upbringing by being linked to a suitable Big Brother or Big Sister. This Big Brother or Big Sister will provide the support of a special mentoring relationship.
The Big Brother and Big Sisters are Jewish adults, 18 years and older who are responsible, mature and caring and are prepared to commit to provide consistent, dependable friendship, guidance and companionship to their little brother or sister for a period of at least 12 months.
If you are interested in becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister - volunteer for JewishCare.
All parties involved including the parents of the little brother or sister remain in close contact with the program manager at JewishCare and appropriate training and supervision is provided to all Big Brothers and Big Sisters
A certain number of places within this program are provided for children with disabilities.
Chessed Bereavement Support
This program provides counselling and support for those who have suffered a loss or are grieving. This can include people experiencing
- Loss from death of a loved one as well as loss resulting from miscarriage
- Serious accident or deterioration in health
- End of life / palliative issues
If you want to become a Chessed support worker - volunteer for JewishCare.Family Dispute Resolution
It is a requirement of the Family Law Act that separated parents agree on arrangements following separation, including where the children live, who they spend time with and property matters.
The program aims to help individuals involved in separation and divorce to sort out various issues in dispute thereby avoiding the time, stress and money involved in undertaking legal proceedings going to court.
JewishCare’s Family Dispute Resolution team has staff members who are authorised to issue various official documents such as the 60i Certificates issued or Agreed Parenting / Mutual Plan of Action that are required by the Court before legally binding orders can be issued.
Family to Family Respite
The program provides regular planned short term respite care for Jewish children aged 0-16 years with another Jewish volunteer family. The program helps in situations where children are at risk due to factors including
- Families experiencing loss or disruption or illness or feeling isolated
- Parents who are having difficulties managing children
- Families involved in a situation of child abuse or domestic violence
The program provides a positive link for a family with another Jewish family in the community. It also provides a different experience of family and relationships for children who may have had many difficulties in their own family.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between JewishCare and The Benevolent Society has been signed to ensure that Jewish children who require out-of-home care are given the maximum opportunity to be placed
As part of the MOU The Benevolent Society will provide information and conduct training for potential Jewish foster carers as well as assisting JewishCare to assess the appropriateness of applicants who have expressed the desire to be part of various foster care related programs.
If you want to know how you can make a substantial difference to a child in the community contact Lyn Brand on 9302 8024 or l.brand@jewishcare.com.au
Family Support
The program assists families with children who are in crisis or are in vulnerable situations.This could involve issues such as:
- Family breakdown
- Domestic violence
- Social isolation
- Financial crisis
- Illness
- Substance abuse
- Depression and mental health issues
- Parenting difficulties, including parents with learning difficulties
Clients are assessed and case managed by JewishCare’s professional staff and offered services which will best meet their needs. These services may include:
- Counselling – either family or individual
- Intensive In Home Support - aimed at assisting with overcoming social isolation, teaching parenting and child care skills and increasing the self- esteem of children and adults
- Hardship Assistance – providing food parcels, home cooked meals and other supports.
- Referrals – to other sources of specialist support which may include short term housing, if spaces are available
- Community Education – where appropriate the staff will try to involve families in short courses on relevant issues
- Support Groups – The program runs regular groups on topics including: domestic violence, parents with special needs, grandparents as carers, groups for children and teenagers.
The program utilises volunteers who provide a wide range of supports including making and delivering meals, visiting isolated members of the community etc
If you are interested in becoming assisting the Family Support program - volunteer for JewishCare.
Domestic Violence Response and Prevention
The program assists women and children in domestic violence situations, generally by the provision of casework and counselling by professional social workers.
A first priority is to ensure the safety and wellbeing of women and children.
This can involve
- Developing a safety plan to provide a safe living environment
- Counselling and emotional support
- Advocacy
- Court support and referral to legal services
- Community education
- Referral to housing services
JewishCare’s Domestic Violence program also includes raising awareness about the prevalence of domestic violence in the Jewish community through early intervention and education.
It is important to realise that Domestic Violence constitutes any form of abusive behaviour that seeks to gain and maintain control over another person’s life.
These behaviours can include
- Physical abuse including sexual abuse or threats Psychological and emotional abuse
- Verbal abuse which threatens, degrades or insults people or pets
- Intimidation and harassment
- Social isolation including being stopped from seeing friends and family
- Financial abuse and being forced to live without money
- Stalking
Police 000
Domestic Violence 24 hour hotline -1800 656 463
NSW Rape Crisis Centre 1800 424 017
Violence Against Women Helpline 1800 200 526
Domestic Violence Advocacy Service 8745 6999
Law Access Line 1300 888 529
Read Article - Australian domestic and Family Violence Clearinghouse Newsletter - PDF
Frequently asked questions about domestic violence
Mental Health
This program offers a range of supports for people experiencing mental health issues.
These include:
- Counselling, advocacy and case management for the individual or family to assist with decision making and planning, undertaken by experienced and qualified professional staff
- The facilitation of group activities which play a vital role in encouraging and maintaining social inclusion
- A regular newsletter
- Access to suitably trained volunteers
- A telephone follow-up service where appropriate
Referral can be made to other services or professionals as required
JewishCare's Mental Health program has extensive links and Memorandums of Understanding with leading mental health organisations.
These include
Prison Outreach
The program offers support to prison inmates and their families. This can include
- Legal advice and education,
- Counselling,
- Court support,
- Volunteer visiting / Pen Pals for prisoners outside the metropolitan area,
- Yom Tom parcels and the weekly provision of Australian Jewish News.
The aim of the program is to link inmates with the Jewish community to reduce the possibility of re-offending as well as educating Department of Corrective Services staff about the religious and social needs of Jewish inmates.
Prison Outreach Brochure (237.25 kB)
If you want to become a Prison Outreach volunteer - volunteer for JewishCare
JewishCare Donations
Twitter Updates
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RT @healthyplace: "A strong positive mental attitude will create more miracles than any wonder drug." ~ Patricia Neal
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RT @healthyplace: We're part of the Mental Health Blog Party today. Please RT our posts. Spread the word about mental health. #mhblogday
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JewishCare would like to thank over 500 volunteers for their generosity, support, assistance and care http://t.co/2YKAtkHz #NVW12