Western Sydney's community engagement officer
New South Wales media release
Monday, 7 June 2010
Centrelink support for young, vulnerable and homeless people from Burwood to Bankstown is in good hands thanks to the Community Engagement Officer Program.
This sees 90 specialist Centrelink staff, located across all capital cities and many regional centres, supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our community.
That means homeless people, and those at risk of homelessness, in and around Burwood and Bankstown, will have better access to income support and the many other services available through Centrelink.
Centrelink Community Engagement Officer, Fernando Giumentaro, says the task of helping vulnerable local people most in need has already begun in earnest.
"Our job is to offer extra support and assistance to particularly vulnerable customers and to really help them change their lives," Mr Giumentaro said.
"We help them understand, claim and maintain Centrelink income support payments.
"You don’t necessarily need a fixed address - we can still deliver services without one.
"We also refer people to other government and non-government support services that can help put a roof over someone’s head, or help with food.
"We get out from behind our desks to drug and alcohol rehabilitation services, mental health units, hostels, boarding houses, refuges and drop-in centres.
"I’ve helped develop a youth workshop called ‘Walk in My Shoes’. We invite young people to an event with job provider outreach workers and youth liaison police officers.
"The aim is to walk in each other’s shoes and gain a better understanding of youth issues, and in return the young people will gain better understanding of Centrelink and the Police.
"This workshop will run for six weeks, and we already plan to expand it into Burwood, Rockdale, Hurstville and Sutherland.
"I’m also working with Bankstown City Council on forming a Bankstown interagency Homelessness initiative where many groups can all work together to make a difference."
For more information, telephone the relevant Centrelink media contact.