JewishCare Sydney - JewishCare Sydney

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.

The program offers the opportunity to talk to someone who is trained to offer empathy and understanding and who understands the process of grieving.


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.   

The volunteer family are assessed, screened, trained and supervised by JewishCare’s professional staff.
If you want to know how you can make a substantial difference to a child in the community and are prepared to make commitment of 48 hours every fortnight or
every month for an initial contracted period of twelve months 12 months or more - volunteer for JewishCare.

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

• 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
  
  
For Help, Support and Information call:

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

www.mhcc.org.au

www.mental.asn.au 

www.healthscopehospitals.com.au

www.sesiahs.health.nsw.gov.au

www.stvincents.com.au

www.northsidegroup.com.au

www.blackdoginstitute.org.au

www.neami.org.au

www.anglicare.org.au

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.

If you want to become a Prison Outreach volunteer - volunteer for JewishCare