Lindara was established in 1987, the International Year of Shelter for the Homeless. A number of parishioners from five congregations within the Uniting Church Lindfield Killara Parish decided to do something to address the plight of people living in
Ku-ring-gai, and adjacent municipalities, who were having difficulty finding adequate housing. The focus of this outreach continues to provide support and information to families who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness.
In 2005, Lindara entered into an arrangement with CatholicCare, to fund a dedicated Family Support Worker to assist the homeless and families in crisis. This would be known as the Lindara Family Program. Assistance is offered to families impacted by financial difficulties, domestic and family violence, mental health, drug and alcohol issues and living in unsafe conditions.
This partnership capitalises on CatholicCare’s expertise in this space and provides linkages into their extensive suite of wraparound services. The goal is to intervene as early as possible to avert homelessness, or the inability to care for and nurture the children in the family group. Our objective is to facilitate positive lifestyle changes for families in need, with long-term benefits of family cohesion and sustainability.
This arrangement with CatholicCare brings an ecumenical sense to Lindara’s community work.
Working with homelessness is intensive and expensive. In 2021/22 the Lindara Family Support Worker has cared for 26 families, including 50 children under 18 years. CatholicCare and the Lindara Family Support Worker work to restore personal safety, financial independence, dignity and hope. Please help us to continue to support those homeless and at risk of homelessness.
Supported by:
members of the Uniting Church congregations at Killara (Five Ways), Lindfield, Gordon, Pymble & Roseville
Thank you to the Lindara community
Thank you for your support of this important program throughout 2022.
Here Gesse, CatholicCare’s Specialist Lead for the Lindara Family Program and Radhe, our dedicated Lindara Caseworker share some of the highlights of the program this year.
And thank you to our fundraisers and donors
A heartfelt thank you to all those involved with the Lindara Markets for your fundraising efforts throughout 2022. The Lindara program cannot run without you and the generosity of our incredible donors. We wish you a happy and holy Christmas and we look forward to continuing this important work together in 2023.
CatholicCare’s General Manager, Homelessness & Family explains the history, vision and CatholicCare’s involvement in the Lindara Family Program.
