The Albanese Labor Government is supporting communities across Australia to be strong and resilient.
Assistant Minister for Social Security, Ageing and Women, Kate Thwaites, and Federal Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman MP, today met with Connect Children and Families at their Lapstone site to hear firsthand about their Connect and Nurture project for women across the local community.
Connect Children and Families received $539,878 through the Strong and Resilient Communities (SARC) Activity, which is supporting vulnerable people across Australia through community-based projects that encourage social and economic participation and community connection.
The Connect and Nurture project is supporting women in the Blue Mountains through promoting family wellbeing, identifying support needs early, encouraging a sense of belonging, increasing connection with the community, and building positive adult and child relationships.
Connect Children and Families is delivering the project through home visits, referrals to support services, parenting support, providing information about early education and community engagement opportunities.
Assistant Minister Thwaites said, “The Albanese Labor Government is proud to support Connect Children and Families to deliver their Connect and Nurture project for women and their families right across the Blue Mountains.”
“Organisations like Connect Children and Families do great work in their local communities with women who may be at risk of social isolation and seeking support and connection. That’s why our Government has invested close to $45 million in supporting strong and resilient communities since 2022.”
Federal Member for Macquarie Susan Templeman said she was proud to be part of a government that invests in practical community programs.
“Connect and Nurture goes directly into homes to provide social connection and practical support to parents who are feeling isolated during those challenging early years. For struggling parents, particularly new mums, having someone stop by, check in and offer non-judgemental support is invaluable.”
Connect Children and Families CEO, Ann-Marie Ellott said she was delighted the Connect and Nurture (CAN) project had secured funding for another year.
“The CAN program supports women and young children to connect to community at a most vulnerable time in their family life. We know the support of volunteers who undertake home visits can make a vital difference to how women see their parenting role and feel supported. We also know well supported parents mean positive long term outcomes for children.”
Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth said organisations funded under the Strong and Resilient Communities (SARC) Activity deliver targeted services to help build capacity at a local level.
“Our Government is committed to building strong and resilient communities, and to helping Australians who need a little extra support,” Minister Rishworth said.
“To build stronger and more resilient communities we need to invest where there is the most need and the opportunity to make the biggest difference to the future of community members.”
“We know that the successful organisations are well placed to help some of our most vulnerable, including young people, people with disability, unemployed people, and women.”
The funding builds on the Labor Government’s record to help Australians doing it tough when they need it most, including:
- providing every Australian taxpayer a tax cut
- increasing Commonwealth Rent Assistance for nearly one million households
- boosting funding for emergency and food relief services, along with financial counselling
- extending the freeze on deeming rates for 876,000 income support recipients.
More information about the SARC Activity is available on the Department of Social Services website.