VERY EXCITING NEWS AND EXCITING TIMES AHEAD.....

We have been waiting for news on this funding from the Government and now the word is out.  Here is a message from our President:

Dear friends / fellow-chaplains,
Wonderful News!  We have been awarded the tender by the Department of Communities, Qld. Government.  From July 1 therefore we are officially the 'Care Arm' of the Safe Night Mackay Precinct.  (Keith and I are now representing MSC  as members of the Mackay Safe Night Precinct (SNP) Board), as Niki and I are representatives on the City Safe Committee of Mackay Regional Council.
Our funding comes as part of a contract – which means we have obligations to the department and must provide services in accordance with that contract, according to the requirements of the local SNP Board.
Being awarded the tender will inevitably lead to changes.  We are working toward procuring our own shop-front premises in the CBD to give us a base for storage, training, etc.
This is a very significant difference from the way we have functioned in the past, but we invite you to think and pray about the implications for yourself and we want you to come along to a special meeting on Monday 18 July to discuss issues regarding the contract, in particular regarding  the ramifications of this remuneration.  It is really important that everyone who can possibly attend does make it a priority to come to this meeting.
The bottom line is that our outreach and care on the streets will not be changed but its management will have a firm base for at least the next two years  As we move forward, we want to do so in a way that keeps every current chaplain on board.
Despite the fact that the official start date is July 1, we want to implement changes slowly, smoothly and thoughtfully and we want to do so with your input and support. Please keep the committee (Steven, Keith, Niki, Helen, Rob, Bree, Kathy, Tracey and myself) in your prayers.  We are currently meeting two or three times per week and working well together.  As President, I want to commend your committee members for their dedication and care for you, and the people we serve in the City Heart.
Blessings,
Ann
President

Many people have been in contact recently, wanting to join this great group.  That means we need to get these people up-to-speed by training them.  

In our busy lives we try to be as flexible as possible in delivering these training sessions and we are really grateful that we have professional people who freely give their time to help us.  

We are having a training session on mental health and organisational protocols on the 20th of June. On July the 4th we will have our session from Police about drugs and alcohol, and also we will have a session on self-defense.... great stuff.  The moral to the story is, if you'd like to join us or know someone who does, please contact us so that we can give you the details.
​ 
Looking forward to the adventure and looking forward to meeting you. :-)