Social Outreach and Advocacy
The spirit, vision and
mission of St John of God Health Care is inclusive of the whole
community. We understand that our healing mission extends
beyond the walls of the hospital to the larger community. The
Mission of St John of God Health Care impels us to respond in
particular to the needs of those who are disadvantaged in our
community via our Social Outreach and
Advocacy program.
As a division of St John of God Health Care,
St John of God Pinelodge Clinic endeavours to respond - within
our available resources - to community need, including through the
following projects:
Ermha Origins - culturally and linguistically diverse
community specific mental health project
In June 2007, St John of God Pinelodge
Clinic established a significant social outreach initiative in
partnership with the Eastern Region Mental Health Association
(ERMHA). The project, known as Ermha
Origins is specifically directed to the needs of
the culturally and linguistically diverse community (CALD) in
Greater Dandenong. Currently 54% of the residents of Greater
Dandenong were born overseas, with 90% coming from a non-English
speaking background. The partnership will enable the existing
psycho-social rehabilitation program run by ERMHA to have an
increased capacity to provide services to a greater range of
clients from diverse backgrounds who are living
with mental illness. The vision of the project is to:
- Increase capacity to cater to more specific cultural needs
- Improve access for a greater range of clients and families
- Broaden attendance from other cultural groups, particularly the
newest arrivals to Australia from the Horn of Africa and
Afghanistan
- Build links with the Islamic community to promote the
project and improve service relevance and responsiveness to
identified local need within the Islamic community
- Develop and articulate successful strategies in engaging with
local CALD communities
- Further develop and articulate the specific Model of
Service
In 2010, a
service model review was completed to further enhance the
strategic development of the program and will be used as a basis
for future planning and growth.
Food Cupboard
St John of God Pinelodge Clinic continues
to be involved in the stocking an 'empty food cupboard' each month.
This is a project run by Anglicare and involves providing
non-perishable food to those in need. This project is supported by
our catering and environmental caregivers.
Playgroup
The hospital continues to contribute to the
running of a local child care group.