St Peter’s Anglican Church CremorneOn Tuesday 6th July, Taldumande spent an enjoyable and engaging morning tea with more than 20 of the church’s regular parishioners. We were invited to the monthly morning tea by Father Neil Vearing, to speak to this very interested group about the work that we do in the community. St Peter’s Church is a long standing supporter of Taldumande. During the morning tea, one of the Parishioners recalled how they were part of a group that helped to refit our premises, then at Artarmon, some 30 years ago! The ties to Taldy have continued over the years and we have been the fortunate recipients of some of the parish's fundraising activities particularly in recent times. At the end of the morning tea, we were delighted to be presented with a donation - a cheque for $947. Taldumande is so very grateful and privileged to be associated with such a caring part of the community. Our staff and the young people in our care, extend our sincerest thanks to all at St Peter’s Anglican Church Cremorne. 29.06.2010 Emmett House TransformationThe environment in which we place young people at risk of homelessness in, is an important part of the young person’s development and sense of self worth. By creating a home, a place of beauty, comfort and safety sends the message to young people in our care that they are respected and deserve more than just a place to sleep. Recently, much work has gone into Taldumande's, semi-independent four-bedroom home, Emmett House. The community is responsible for Emmett’s transformation, sincere thanks to the immense generosity of the following contributors: The North Sydney Rotary Club's donated funds enabled new carpet and wood panelling floors, the purchase of a new lounge and a clothes dryer. Cherie Graham and her assistants resourced and outfitted Emmett with curtains. United Way under Ross Liddle’s direction resourced a corporate team of 20 volunteers from BUPA who cut down the old foliage and planted flowering plants, fixed the fence and cleaned the gutters. A corporate team from GE of 35 volunteers painted the entire inside of the house with bold feature walls in each of the resident’s bedrooms, the painting was professionally done and has created a fresh and elegant home interior. The Eighty Ate Cafe in Crows Nest supplied coffees to all volunteers throughout their work at Emmett. The three current residents of Emmett who have been with Taldumande up to and over a year have the following to say about Emmett’s recent developments: Chelsea When I moved into Emmett House it was just that- a house. The garden was overgrown, the walls were patchy, the carpet was wearing away, but it was a place to live. Since the floors have been redone and teams of volunteers have come to paint, put up curtains, and fix the gardens Emmett is a changed place. It is no longer the overgrown, somewhat scary looking house I reside in, but is now a place I can call home and live in. These days I come home to a home – not a house. Kristie This house used to be a house, but now it’s more of a home. The floorboards are very stylish and the carpet in the bedroom is much more comfortable than the office carpet we had before. It’s easier to clean the house now because our vacuum actually moves down the hallway instead of sticking to the carpet. I’m happy bringing friends over now because the house is homier. The paint job is wonderful and really tidied the place up. Thank you so much for all your very hard work and time and effort and generosity, it really brought that little bit of something into our house to make it a home. Chloe Having all the improvements at Emmett has turned our house into a place I am happy and proud to spend time in. The changes are a vast improvement and mean I am finally free to have visitors. It was after these changes I was proudly able to have my family over for a family dinner. They have given us a further sense of belonging and helped us to individualise and express ourselves. Thank you so much for making Emmett House a home! |
Fund Raising Dinner on 18th May 2010Supported by the MLC Community FoundationS T O P P R E S S -- UPDATEWhat a wonderful night it was! Her Excellency the Governor, our patron, said that she had never seen the room so full and with such a great atmosphere. May I take this opportunity to thank everyone who was involved with making our inaugural "In from the Cold" fundraising dinner the success it was. Thank you to the many sponsors who donated such wonderful items for our auctions and raffles; a big thank you to Fox Creek Wines for the superb red, white and dessert wines (join their Fox Creek Circle it's well worth it!); an enormous thank you to the organisers of the evening, Anne, Val, Cherie, Katrina and their cohorts; and last, but by no means least, thank you to all those who bought a ticket and came to the dinner. Without you we would never have made the $30,000+ which will go towards programs for the young people in our care. Guest Speakers - At the dinner, we had the pleasure of having an ex-Taldy client stand up and bravely tell his story –his experience of becoming homeless, how Taldumande helped him through this traumatic time, life now which fortunately is full of hope and direction. You can listen to his speech by clicking on his name below. Click on the picture below to view some photos of the night.
|
|
November 20 -Taldumande Morning TeaTaldumande held its first Morning Tea function at the Residential House in Neutral Bay. The event was to say “Thank You” to all Taldumande supporters over the years. Every financial or in kind donation from local individuals, businesses, corporations, councils, clubs, politicians, churches and the media has been greatly appreciated. Without this support we would not be able to provide the level of support that we do for our local young people in need. Heartfelt speeches were delivered by Taldumande’s Chairman of the Board Michael Morton-Evans, as well as by our long standing supporter, and now Vice Patron Jillian Skinner MP. However, without a doubt, the speech of the day came from one of our residents Rachael. Bravely, she gave an account of her road to homelessness and how she found Taldumande and the support she has since that time. Her life is different now. There wasn’t a single listener that was not moved. Here is her story from that morning: Hi, my name is Rachael and I’ve been a part of Taldumande Youth services for 3 years now and I’ve been out of home since I was 14. I originally left home because of my mother’s drug and alcohol problems, I was moving from house to house, trying to find somewhere to sleep, eat and shower. I came to Taldumande when I was 15 and since then things have never been the same, things have changed for the better for since I first arrived at Taldumande at the fully supported refuge at Neutral Bay. My father contacted the Salvation army in search of a place for me to stay as he couldn’t support me nor look after me as he and I had no previous contact throughout my younger years. Once again thank you everyone for your support. For those who could make it, we hope you enjoyed the morning. Katrina Richardson Click on the picture below to view photos of the morning
|
Who are we?
Taldumande is a not-for-profit community organisation based in Neutral Bay on Sydney’s lower north shore, governed by a volunteer Board of Management and managed by professional and qualified staff.
The organisation works with young people and their families in their local communities who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless , covering the wider northern and central city areas of Sydney.
In 33 years of service delivery, Taldumande has assisted thousands of young people by providing a range of accommodation and support options and through direct support to young people and parents/families experiencing difficult and challenging times at home.
We aim to offer services that enhance family relationships and assist in the prevention of youth homelessness and family breakdown. In response to the changing needs of families and young people in crisis within our local community, we provide quality short and medium term accommodation, case management, aftercare, outreach and additional support services.
Parents, Barbara & Glenn
… it was a blessing when our son approached Taldumande for help. At last we had a skilled mediator and a ‘neutral’ place to meet. Thank you for being able to tease out the truth about why he left home. Thank you for meeting so often with us to listen to our thoughts, dry tears and relay information on how he was going…
We know, but for the particular quality of the social work Taldumande provided, the whole story would have been very different. Your service ‘saved the day’ in a very professional and constructive way, at a time when our family was too strained to cope. You helped our son reach the decision to come back to a better home, with a clearer understanding of the realities of looking after himself. We will always be very grateful to Taldumande and its supporters.
"How Taldumande Changed My Life"
My island upon a vast and indifferent ocean, I’ve taken refuge there. After being tossed violently around on a uncaring sea for what seemed like an eternity, my caseworker was like the light at the end of my tunnel.
My unit, which my case manager helped me to obtain, has been my sanctuary. A place where I can find some solace and after many months finally an element of peace. The workers have been like friendly island folk. I can be myself around them and be accepted for who I am.
They are compassionate and kind and are able to alter one of my dejected moods with just one smile or word of encouragement. The free meals and generous Christmas presents don’t hurt either.
Mi 1st case manager, Simon, rescued me from horrible forces that were working against me. His kindness and empathy were like ointment applied to the bruise of my soul. My new case manager, Tim, has helped me to really get direction in my life. Thanks to him I am now doing a traineeship with an insurance company and have finally found some direction. I am no longer a drifter but someone who is now on the right path to achieving my goals. “
Every night across NSW over 11,000 children and young people are homeless...
...Most of them in Sydney
Taldumande has assisted homeless young people in crisis since 1976 and is now the ONLY emergency accommodation available for young people in Sydney’s northern suburbs. We receive over 300 referrals each year.
