Council increases support of 4Cs
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Cardinia Shire Council last night announced a commitment to provide additional emergency funding to the 4Cs Crisis Relief Centre in an effort to keep the centre operational beyond Christmas this year.
As part of the commitment, Council will also work with other relief agencies to coordinate the distribution of Christmas hampers to our most vulnerable residents this year.
In addition to approximately $50,000 per annum that Council already provides to the centre, Council has committed:
A further $15,000 per month in emergency funding for three months (total $45,000), commencing January 2019. This funding is subject to a commitment from 4Cs management to work closely and transparently with Council regarding the 4Cs’ financial position and scope of activities To assist 4Cs to develop a business plan to guide its business and ensure its long-term sustainability.Cardinia Shire Mayor Councillor Graeme Moore said Council had offered a range of support options to the centre during in-depth discussions with the centre’s management over recent days and weeks.
“Cardinia Shire Council CEO Carol Jeffs and I visited 4Cs on Friday to directly offer our assistance,” Cr Moore said.
“As soon as we became aware of the current situation, we moved quickly to not only offer additional funding support, but to look at how we can assist them to remain operational in to the new year.
“The 4Cs is not a Council-run or managed emergency crisis centre, however, we have been a constant source of support for almost a decade, providing more than $500,000 in funding to cover rent.
“There is no doubt the services delivered by the centre are invaluable to our community’s most vulnerable members and families in need, but the centre requires the support of all levels of government to remain viable in the longer-term, as well as the development of a sustainable and financially-viable operating model,” Cr Moore said.
Cr Moore said he and Ms Jeffs are visiting Canberra tomorrow where they hope to secure a meeting with the Federal Minister for Families and Social Services, The Honourable Paul Fletcher MP, to discuss the plight of 4Cs.
“The ongoing sustainability of the centre will be dependent on securing significant, long-term financial support from a range of funding sources,” Cr Moore said.
“We need the State and Federal governments to commit to supporting 4Cs to ensure it can remain operational into the future.”