Financial Education

The East Arnhem Money Support Hub provides free,voluntary and confidential financial counselling,educational activities and advocacy assistance. We assist individuals and families navigate life transitions,financial crises and to build financial capability and resilience. Staff are based in a number of locations in the region,this combines with a regular visitation schedule to other communites and homelands along wiht phone and videconferencing support options.

Bawinanga is a progressive Aboriginal corporation based in Maningrida. We represent and assist the 4000 Aboriginal people of the 32 homelands surrounding Maningrida in West Arnhem Land.

Our work is carried out in the context of people’s traditional lands, cultural practices and languages. Our services include:

• Housing, Homeland and Construction
• Bawinanga Rangers
• Maningrida Arts and Culture
• Bábbarra Women’s Centre
• Djómi Museum
• Maningrida Wildfoods
• Maningrida Nursery
• Maningrida Mud Bricks
• Barlmarrk Supermarket
• Mechanical workshops
• The Community Development Program (CDP)
• Wild Foods Cafe
• Community Patrol
• Money Management
• Remote School Attendance Strategy (RSAS)
• Civil Works Program

The Emergency Relief program provides short-term financial assistance to individuals and families in immediate financial crisis. It can be one-off assistance, or it may involve a referral to the Financial Wellbeing and Capability program to identify and assist with underlying concerns.

How we help

We can assist clients in immediate financial crisis with:

Referrals to relevant services
Food vouchers
Utility bills
Assistance with budgeting

The Financial Wellbeing and Capability (FWC) program is designed to help you manage your finances. We help clients develop financial literacy and capability skills. The program can help vulnerable families become financially independent.

Who we help

Everyone can access the service however people on Income Management are prioritised. They are entirely confidential as well as judgement free.

How we help

• Financial counselling: Our financial counsellors will provide you with an assessment of your situation. This helps them offer advice on how to handle debt related issues. They work with you to help you achieve your goals and make better financial decisions. This includes education about your rights and obligations to creditors.
• Financial capability: Case Managers will partner with you to achieve financial literacy. They help you to understand your income, bank accounts and budgets. They look at each situation as a whole and help you to access other appropriate services.
• Emergency relief: This service helps people with emergency relief in times of financial crisis. Accessing emergency relief is an entry point into the FWC program.

At Lutheran Care, we believe our communities are stronger when each and every person feels included and cared for. Founded 50 years ago on the principles of the Lutheran Church, we have always been champions of advocacy and equity, serving the needs and fighting for the rights of those who have fallen through the cracks of the system. Ours is a powerful and persistent voice for the voiceless. Whoever you are, wherever you come from, we will walk side by side with you, regardless of cultural background, sexual orientation, gender identity, belief systems or circumstances. Beyond working to have a lasting, positive impact on people’s lives, we are determined to build hope, understanding and drive long-term systematic change. Unbound by convention, we are leaders in our sector and community, always exploring new, innovative ways of helping people find comfort and purpose. We seek no reward or recognition beyond doing what’s right for our people. This is what inspires and drives us. It is the source of our unity and our strength. Caring and warm, we are guided by faith and compassion, always listening, advocating and building stronger communities where people can belong and thrive.

Lutheran Care is committed to reducing barriers and encouraging inclusion and participation in the community of people with a disability, people of all ages, Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual, Transgender, Intersex and Queer (LGBTIQ) people, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) people, and people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds.

FINANCIAL COUNSELLING, CAPABILITY & RESILIENCE HUB

The Hub assists people in financial difficulty to address their financial problems. Financial Counsellors and Financial Capability Workers assist clients one on one and in workshops helping them to know how to manage their money, develop saving plans and budgeting. This service covers Central Australia region and includes 33 remote communities and Alice Springs.

• Financial Counsellors

Counsellors support clients with personal financial difficulties, undertake in depth assessments of a client’s financial situation and work with them to increase their capability to make informed decisions in resolving personal financial difficulties. Advice includes debt management, negotiating with creditors, budgeting, bankruptcy, credit laws and eligibility for government assistance. Make an appointment for a free professional and confidential chat.

• Financial Capability Workers

Financial Capability Workers provide one on one and group sessions to assist clients with basic financial literacy, education and support as well as delivering community education sessions.

EMERGENCY RELIEF

Emergency relief is for people who are in a crisis situation and dependant on need can include food, food vouchers, blankets, clothing and where needed referrals to other support. This service is available every morning of the week Monday to Friday 9am to 12 noon.

KWATJA ETATHA PLAYGROUP

Kwatja Etatha (Arrente for Living Waters) Playgroup runs intensively supported ‘play sessions’ where families are encouraged to interact with their children through structured play activities. Playgroup sessions run during school terms on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9:30am to 11.30 am. Transport to and from Playgroup is provided.

FAMILIES LEARNING TOGETHER

Supported by Anglicare ‘Families Learning Together’ offers interactive workshops for parents including Circle of Security and learning experiences for families and parents on Babies and Toddlers Development, Caring for Young Children and Babies, Hygiene and Safety

INTENSIVE FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICE (IFSS)

This programme at Ntaria (Hermannsburg) aims to reduce child neglect through building on family strengths and supporting families to build their capacity to meet the needs of their children. Families requiring support are referred from other agencies.

We run a range of programs and workshops according to current needs and issues. We distribute ‘baby bags’ full of essentials for new parents – this creates an opportunity to check in with young parents and see how they are coping. We also support people in the area of organising and managing finances; including workshops about online banking and shopping, videos about problem gambling. We also run nutrition and cooking workshops on the ground in communities using what is available in that community.