Club visits the Paynesville Neighbourhood ASPIRE Precinct
On Monday October 24 our Club Members were hosted by the Paynesville Neighbourhood House at their Bairnsdale location (The ASPIRE Precinct) to tour the facilities and hear of the Adult learning programs they are currently offering to members of our community. PNH Coordinator, Karen Fleischer and newly appointed staff member, Julia Fitz-Gerald were very keen to share their goals for the program and made us very welcome.
The Paynesville Neighbourhood Centre began delivering programs in 1992 at their Paynesville location and initially offered a child care program, sewing and computer classes.
They had limited resources but wanted to deliver programs which helped people feel connected to the local community, assist people to learn new skills and gain confidence. Local people began to deliver programs to each other as Karen recognised there were many with skills and knowledge that could benefit others.
The PNC took the bold move to deliver some of their programs within Bairnsdale when they leased the buildings in their current location in Macleod Street. With the additional facilities they are now able to provide a range of programs for the long term unemployed and underprivileged members of our community which they hope will enable their clients to gain new skills and eventually move into either further study or the work force.
Some of the programs we viewed were furniture restoration, building furniture out of brick pallets and sewing classes. They also provide a range of well-priced clothes for people who may be attending job interviews.
The Paynesville Neighbourhood Centre still operate in Paynesville and have formed partnerships with 20 community partners.
As with many of these community programs they are reliant of government funding and fundraising to continue with the great work they do.
Following our visit to the ASPIRE centre we then dined at the Grand Terminus Hotel and enjoyed an nice meal and great fellowship. The Terminus is a regular supporter of our annual Dinner Auction and so it was good to repay some of that support.
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