After 10 years in the making, the Canowindra Connections Centre is set to open on November 26th, by the Rev. Sharon Hall, President of the Uniting Church Australia
The centre will focus on providing social and community infrastructure to respond to identified needs in the community, with the priorities of building independence, confidence and capacity amongst individuals and families.
In 2016 a Community Needs Analysis was conducted, and significant support gaps in our community, particularly the elderly, disadvantaged and vulnerable families, single parents and youth.
From this, the concept of the Canowindra Connections Centre was derived, and a plan to incorporate the Uniting Church building to accommodate various support services was developed.
“The centre will be a community hub, a place where people can meet, engage with others, share ideas, and develop community resilience under a Christ centred approach. The Canowindra Connections Centre is our answer to being a place of worship and a new expression of how Church is experienced in our community,” explained Marion Wilson, when discussing the Canowindra Connection Centre.
Canowindra Food Basket will remain at the centre and has a new pantry. Food basket operates on Friday and is available to people on a pension or health care card. If you don’t have a pension or healthcare card, a referral from a minister, Vinnies or health service can suffice.
The centre will also have an internet café, where people can access internet banking, printing and online services.