By KATHRYN BERMINGHAM
DESERVING community organisations have been recognised with nominations in the social enterprise category of the Casey Cardinia business awards.
Casey North Community and Information Support Service provides services and programs to many within the City of Casey, working tirelessly to support those in need of assistance.
Its hugely successful programs, including ‘Stay On Track’ and ‘Keeping It Together’, utilise the expertise of professional workers and trained volunteers who provide assistance on several interconnecting welfare issues, from financial counselling to family breakdowns – a particularly pressing issue in the area.
The Cranbourne Information and Support Service provides the community with similar essential services and programs, including crisis support, counselling, case management, advocacy, education assistance, tax help and a no-interest loan scheme.
As well as its own programs, CISS also offers a range of services hosted by external providers on-site, such as housing support, sexual assault counselling, a child support program and anger management counselling.
Serving the community for over three decades, the organisation credits much of its success to a tireless team of paid workers and volunteers.
Leanna Petrides has been manager of Cranbourne CISS for 17 years, and says she finds the work to be extrememly rewarding.
“I’ve never felt in the morning like I don’t want to go to work, I always feel I’m lucky to have a job I like doing and a great team,” she said.
“I’m working with volunteers that come in and aren’t getting paid and they’re doing hard work.”
In the past, the Casey North Community Information Support Service and Cranbourne Information and Support Service collaborated to tackle various issues, such as homelessness within Casey.
Waverley Industries provides a service that benefits both its happy employees and loyal customers. The not-for-profit organisation was founded in 1984 to provide employment opportunities for local adults with special needs.
Today, Waverley Industries employees over 250 disabled adults split into three divisions – packing and assembly, manufacturing and catering. It operates out of Notting Hill and Hallam.
The winner of the award will be announced at a gala dinner at Cranbourne Racing Centre on 22 October.
