Inner Sydney's community engagement officer in action
New South Wales media release
Monday, 7 June 2010
Centrelink support for lost, vulnerable and homeless people in the inner city is in good hands thanks to the Community Engagement Officer Program.
The program sees 90 specialist Centrelink staff, located across all capital cities and many regional centres, supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our community.
Valeria Zem’s job is to make sure homeless people in and around Woolloomooloo, Darlinghurst and Surry Hills - and those at risk of homelessness - have better access to income support and the many other services available through Centrelink.
"I consider myself lucky to have the opportunity to have an impact on someone else’s life," Valeria said. "In this job that opportunity is ever-present.
"During my 3 years with the Community team I’ve come across a lot of lost, homeless, disenchanted and isolated people.
"Linking them to the numerous wonderful organisations and services and helping them to find their way back into society is my responsibility and my privilege."
Lately, Valeria’s been involved with the Milk Crate Theatre project. The project is an initiative of the Darlinghurst Theatre Company where homeless, formerly homeless or disenfranchised people drawn partly from nearby shelters produce and help perform a play about ‘real life on the streets’.
She watched the latest Milk Crate production ‘Yes Man’ at Surry Hills homeless shelter Edward Eagar Lodge with great interest.
"It was an extraordinary and moving experience," she said. "I saw people I work with being able to perform and create and build their self-esteem through the play.
"It really boosts confidence and spurs people on to find employment and education and start re-writing the script of their own lives - which is what my job is about too."
For more information, telephone the relevant Centrelink media contact.