Happy Dance Mark II

proudgrits

So I *thought* I was doing the happy dance last week - if I was then then I don't know what I'm doing now - maybe the happy moonwalk cause I feel like I'm on cloud nine.

Today - as many know - was the Conversation for Communities discussion regarding allocation of funding the the Rosemeadow/Ambarvale Area for Domestic Violence/Mental Health/Substance Abuse - to try to get the information and message out in the most concise and precise manner possibly, whilst giving people the power to free themselves from their own demons (our group is running under the MADD Action Group - cool name huh?)

Anyway - everyone LOVES MamaBake (who couldn't right??) and LOVES the idea behind it (again - who couldn't??) and I asked to set up a meeting with the director of the local community centre.

We have a little chit chat there (when I say little I mean more like 30mins - much love to Mel for wrestling mollly during that time) and the entire bare bones of the conversation are this....

1. Starting May 6th 2011 we have the use of their space every friday bar the last friday of the mth (as seniors met at that time - but they are going to talk to them and see if they will move to the room next door so we have the kitchen space) during school terms from 9.30am until 2pm.

2. The reason for school terms? Because they will provide FREE daycare in a fully staffed centre located across the road :) Daycare placements WILL be limited however to ensure ratios are adhered to :)

3. At this stage we still provide all ingredients but there is a view in the new financial year to subsidise or provide for free ingredients.

Why are they doing this? It is located in an extremely low socio-economic area (read majority are welfare dependant), they are already giving away food once a week (bread/fruit/veg) to community members, we have a lot of community members who are isolated through Substance Abuse/Domestic Violence/Mental Health so she sees this as a vital component for this community.

We are going to have 'guest speakers' come during the sessions later down the track - just to cover basic things from health/nutrition/kids dental to more indepth things like mental health/DV/substance abuse/gambling/budgeting etc - just to give them the information they may not be able to otherwise obtain and by doing it in the safe environment (the first term we will be left completely untouched and then after that the community centre will help us contact outside speakers - to build trust in members) hopefully they will be able to utilise it and improve their own lives.

I also want to get other community groups on board (such as hannah's foundation) to give information on other aspects that may not otherwise be covered - but are crucial for child safety and well being IMO.

I truly hope this can put a smile on your dial - this is the first of many many meetings I hope to have with community leaders :)