Building partnership for good of the community
In a great example of community partnership in action Sydney’s JewishCare and the Folk Centre have entered into a new agreement.
Rosita Armer, Miri Orden, Gabi Klein, Allan Vidor, Claire Vernon
As neighbours on Saber St the two organisations have been in regular communication however this has been taken to a new level when JewishCare approached the Folk Centre about a possible refurbishment and lease to enable its latest new program, Our Kitchen Hand to expand.
JewishCare and the Folk Centre have committed to renovating the kitchen and bathrooms and leasing the Centre five days a week to enable up to 12 people a day to participate in this exciting new approach to training, skill building and community participation for people with disability, including those with psycho-social disability.
Our Kitchen Hand is centred around food preparation, cooking and service and is currently operating very successfully out of JewishCare’s Fischl House but the high demand for limited space in JewishCare limits the number of participants and days of operation.
The current participants and their families are unanimous in their praise for this program which includes developing a range of cooking, food preparation and shopping skills as well as learning about healthy eating along with food and kitchen hygiene.
Most participants are using their National Disability Insurance Scheme package to fund their time at Our Kitchen Hand.
In a joint statement Allan Vidor, President of JewishCare and Miri Orden, President of Jewish Folk Centre said “We are both very excited as this agreement represents a great use of community resources. As neighbours on Saber Street Woollahra we know the location and access to public transport makes it a popular precinct. The upgrade is in the interests of the community and the Folk Centre will be upgraded and will continue to operate its own activities outside of the lease hours”.
The renovation is expected to be completed by late 2018 and the cost is being supported by a grant from a JCA endowment.
Anyone interested in learning more about the Our Kitchen Hand program can call FirstCall JewishCare on 1300 133 660 or www.jewishcare.com.au
